There has been a growing trend with the Golden State Warriors. All good players eventually have issues with Coach Don Nelson along with upper management and want out of town. Stephen Jackson was not the first and he more than likely won’t be the last. The Warriors have managed to bungle having one of the best collections of young talent in the entire league in recent years, yet haven’t made the playoffs in the past 2+ seasons, despite being one of the most prolific scoring teams in the league.
While most people tend to make out “Stack Jack” as the villain in the Nelson/Jackson feud, the Warriors GM should maybe consider the possibility that Nelson has lost his once strong grip on the NBA game. We all know that Jackson is a head case…that’s a given, but there is a pattern of bad behavior going on and it always involves Nelson and a disgruntled player. There has been a mass exodus of talent from a roster which once included Al Harrington, Baron Davis, Mickael Pietrus, Matt Barnes, Marco Belinelli, and now Jackson. All of whom left in different ways but now play prominent roles for their respective clubs after clashing with Don Nelson over playing time, coaching decisions, etc. Hasn’t “Nellie” announced that he was halfway into retirement for most of the last 10 years dating back to the Dallas Mavericks?
The organization has apparently chosen the coach over the players since the most recent trade rumors coming out of Golden State is that point guard Monta Ellis is also on the fast track out of town at Don Nelson’s urging. Reports have surfaced recently that Warriors brass aren’t finished cleaning house since they have been frantically trying to trade their current best player to any team that will take him. Ellis’ agent is scheduled to meet after the holidays with team management to decide his fate. It doesn’t look good since his agent had already been given permission to seek a trade for his client. Ellis and Nelson have clashed during the offseason and into the regular season following comments by Ellis that he couldn’t play with rookie Steph Curry and a recent well publicized spat with Nelson at practice.
Just like the Bobcats with Jackson, some NBA team will get a very talented scoring point guard in Ellis, without giving up much in return. Ellis, who despite injuries, is one of the most talented players at his position. In the past 2 seasons, he has averaged 19.5 ppg, 4 assists, and 1.5 steals and is off to a similar start this season. He is a former HS McDonald’s All American, ’06-’07 NBA Most Improved Player, and only at age 24, seems poised to be part of the All-Star discussions as early as this season.
When will this cycle ever end? I’m sure that the fans in Oakland are going bananas over their team’s personnel decisions in recent seasons. I know they are also unhappy concerning Nelson’s lack of playing time for future stars in Curry, Anthony Randolph and Anthony Morrow. Once Ellis is eventually traded, the starting point duties will fall to Curry. How long will it take before the next player is at odds with Nelson? I can see all of the future fans who sit courtside, disapprovingly waving their signs reading “Nellie must go!” Tell me I’m wrong.
Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously. He also coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckBlog.com, and his own blog, Hoops Haven (thehoopshaven.com).
