Allen
08-28-2008, 06:03 PM
Looks like a new columnist. -AL
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CAM INMAN COLUMN
Post-Davis era off on bad foot
By Cam Inman
Staff columnist
Article Last Updated: 08/28/2008 06:45:02 AM PDT
THE NEW FACE OF the Warriors could use a new ankle right about now.
Guard Monta Ellis is hurt. Ankle surgery will shelve him for at least
three months, but likely four or more, and only Chuck Taylor himself
knows how this impacts Ellis' long-term hop-ability.
First impression: This really wrecks the Warriors' 2008-09 campaign,
not to mention their questionable effort to develop Ellis into a point
guard. Move over, gold-medal-winning Redeem Team, here comes the
Golden State Retreat Team.
Then again, knowing the Warriors, if any team is brazen enough to
shrug this off, it's them. These guys, remember, don't lack
confidence. They may lack a floor general. But they'll still heave up
shot after shot.
For the first half of the season, there just won't be those pretty
shots Ellis takes on drives to the hoop. He is only three years into
his career, but he's already irreplaceable, especially for this coming
season, when he's been asked to replace Baron Davis at the point and
serve as NellieBall's offensive catalyst.
"There's no substitute for a player of Monta's status," Warriors
personnel honcho Chris Mullin said. "But, again, hopefully our depth
will come into play while he's out."
Depth? The Boston Celtics have depth. The Warriors have Marcus
Williams, whom Mullin describes as a "pass-first" point guard. Such
as: Pass to Stephen Jackson, pass to Corey Maggette, pass to Al
Harrington and please shoot before you pass it to Marco Belinelli.
"Obviously it's not good news for us. He's one of our main guys,"
Mullin said. "But we don't think it's a season-ending injury. ...
There will be no panic, emergency moves immediately."
How good Ellis moves upon his return is paramount to the Warriors'
future, both this season and in future ones.
He isn't a set shooter. He scores after flying through the air with
the greatest of ease. Then he hits the deck, like a fighter jet on an
aircraft carrier.
Now that his landing gear has malfunctioned, that's a big concern for
a guy who's so quick on his feet. Not to mention a guy whose feet were
just fitted for a $66 million contract.
If Baron was still in the backcourt, the Warriors would survive. But
Davis boogied home to Hollywood months ago, and now his Los Angeles
Clippers suddenly look better on the playoff bubble than the Warriors.
Ah, but there's still Stephen Jackson. Only, he recently piped up
about wanting more money, having noticed that the Warriors were
spending cash as fast as Al Davis. Think Captain Jack's bargaining
power just went up a notch?
Ah, but Don Nelson is coming back to coach. And the way the Warriors'
luck is going, this headline should come soon: "Nelson marooned on
Maui as all airlines go bankrupt!" A half-season without Ellis surely
will be challenging, and it can't inspire Nelson to extend his tenure
into 2009-10.
Ah, but they've started a year without a key player just last season.
And they lost their first six games while Jackson served a league-
imposed suspension, then they went on to miss the playoffs by two
games.
Doomsday scenarios abound. That happens when your star falls. Thus,
your Warriors are major underdogs, once more.
Said Mullin: "I don't think anyone around here should feel victimized
or have negative thoughts, or that this is just something happens to
the Warriors. It happens in life and sports. You have to deal with it
head on."
Jackson now must head this team. He must be more than its heart and
soul, and he'll need to have fewer bad-shooting nights. Newcomer
Maggette will have to pick up more of the scoring slack, which he's
surely willing to do.
And at guard ... ?
Could be Shaun Livingston. The Warriors will check out that former
Clipper. Disturbing, isn't it? The Warriors and Clippers swapping
players, and we're to believe they're each better off?
Part of getting better entails working on your game during the summer.
Thus, Mullin isn't fuming that Ellis got hurt playing pick-up ball
(which is a much better reason than falling off your truck while
washing it).
"One thing Monta has done each year is improve. ... Real improvement
comes during summer," Mullin said. "Once training camp comes, it's
time to hone skills. Once the season starts, it's about maintenance,
taking care of your body and getting your rest."
And checking the NBA's lunar calendar, the Warriors better hope Santa
leaves a nice MRI under the Christmas tree.
Contact Cam Inman at cinman@bayareanewsgroup.com.
=========================================
CAM INMAN COLUMN
Post-Davis era off on bad foot
By Cam Inman
Staff columnist
Article Last Updated: 08/28/2008 06:45:02 AM PDT
THE NEW FACE OF the Warriors could use a new ankle right about now.
Guard Monta Ellis is hurt. Ankle surgery will shelve him for at least
three months, but likely four or more, and only Chuck Taylor himself
knows how this impacts Ellis' long-term hop-ability.
First impression: This really wrecks the Warriors' 2008-09 campaign,
not to mention their questionable effort to develop Ellis into a point
guard. Move over, gold-medal-winning Redeem Team, here comes the
Golden State Retreat Team.
Then again, knowing the Warriors, if any team is brazen enough to
shrug this off, it's them. These guys, remember, don't lack
confidence. They may lack a floor general. But they'll still heave up
shot after shot.
For the first half of the season, there just won't be those pretty
shots Ellis takes on drives to the hoop. He is only three years into
his career, but he's already irreplaceable, especially for this coming
season, when he's been asked to replace Baron Davis at the point and
serve as NellieBall's offensive catalyst.
"There's no substitute for a player of Monta's status," Warriors
personnel honcho Chris Mullin said. "But, again, hopefully our depth
will come into play while he's out."
Depth? The Boston Celtics have depth. The Warriors have Marcus
Williams, whom Mullin describes as a "pass-first" point guard. Such
as: Pass to Stephen Jackson, pass to Corey Maggette, pass to Al
Harrington and please shoot before you pass it to Marco Belinelli.
"Obviously it's not good news for us. He's one of our main guys,"
Mullin said. "But we don't think it's a season-ending injury. ...
There will be no panic, emergency moves immediately."
How good Ellis moves upon his return is paramount to the Warriors'
future, both this season and in future ones.
He isn't a set shooter. He scores after flying through the air with
the greatest of ease. Then he hits the deck, like a fighter jet on an
aircraft carrier.
Now that his landing gear has malfunctioned, that's a big concern for
a guy who's so quick on his feet. Not to mention a guy whose feet were
just fitted for a $66 million contract.
If Baron was still in the backcourt, the Warriors would survive. But
Davis boogied home to Hollywood months ago, and now his Los Angeles
Clippers suddenly look better on the playoff bubble than the Warriors.
Ah, but there's still Stephen Jackson. Only, he recently piped up
about wanting more money, having noticed that the Warriors were
spending cash as fast as Al Davis. Think Captain Jack's bargaining
power just went up a notch?
Ah, but Don Nelson is coming back to coach. And the way the Warriors'
luck is going, this headline should come soon: "Nelson marooned on
Maui as all airlines go bankrupt!" A half-season without Ellis surely
will be challenging, and it can't inspire Nelson to extend his tenure
into 2009-10.
Ah, but they've started a year without a key player just last season.
And they lost their first six games while Jackson served a league-
imposed suspension, then they went on to miss the playoffs by two
games.
Doomsday scenarios abound. That happens when your star falls. Thus,
your Warriors are major underdogs, once more.
Said Mullin: "I don't think anyone around here should feel victimized
or have negative thoughts, or that this is just something happens to
the Warriors. It happens in life and sports. You have to deal with it
head on."
Jackson now must head this team. He must be more than its heart and
soul, and he'll need to have fewer bad-shooting nights. Newcomer
Maggette will have to pick up more of the scoring slack, which he's
surely willing to do.
And at guard ... ?
Could be Shaun Livingston. The Warriors will check out that former
Clipper. Disturbing, isn't it? The Warriors and Clippers swapping
players, and we're to believe they're each better off?
Part of getting better entails working on your game during the summer.
Thus, Mullin isn't fuming that Ellis got hurt playing pick-up ball
(which is a much better reason than falling off your truck while
washing it).
"One thing Monta has done each year is improve. ... Real improvement
comes during summer," Mullin said. "Once training camp comes, it's
time to hone skills. Once the season starts, it's about maintenance,
taking care of your body and getting your rest."
And checking the NBA's lunar calendar, the Warriors better hope Santa
leaves a nice MRI under the Christmas tree.
Contact Cam Inman at cinman@bayareanewsgroup.com.