Warriors coach Don Nelson doesn't give a lot up to the media these days. He's acknowledged losing interest in the daily give-and-take with the team's beat writers and looks to end his postgame press conferences as quickly as he can.Nelson has said, though, that he likes doing radio because it's a way to speak directly to the fans. To that end, Nelson had one of his most open exchanges on Thursday while speaking on his weekly radio show on KNBR.
Co-host Tom Tolbert, who once played for Nelson, asked the Warriors coach about what happened in New York last week with Monta Ellis. According to various reports, Ellis asked Nelson why the coach seemingly blamed him for everything, and Nelson ended up waving Ellis off.
"I just disciplined Monta," Nelson said. "I didn't think he was doing the right thing in practice. I disciplined him and it's over, and that's really all I have to say about (it). ... I think the relationship can be better as we go along. It will have to get back to where it was at the beginning. But he's going through a lot, too. (Stephen Jackson) was his best friend. It will get better, I'm sure."
Later during the interview Tolbert's partner, Ralph Barbieri, pressed Nelson about Nelson's relationship with players, specifically Ellis. Nelson was asked a hypothetical question about whether or not the Warriors would trade Ellis if Ellis were unhappy."I'm not even going to go there," Nelson said. "I'm not going to anticipate any negative stuff. If it happens, we'll deal with it. Talk to me if it happens, would you please?"
When Barbieri suggested it wasn't unreasonable to ask about Nelson's relationship with Ellis, and how disciplining Ellis might further deteriorate the relationship, Nelson interrupted.
"It's not unreasonable to think that the coach will discipline his player when the player isn't doing the right thing in practice," Nelson said. "What's the problem with that? That's my job description. That's what happened and that's what I did. ... Evidently, some people are having a problem with that. I'll do it tomorrow and I'll do it the next day and I did it with Tolbert."
Barbieri then said it wasn't an issue of whether Nelson was right or wrong in disciplining Ellis, but rather the issue was that now he had a "pissed-off" Ellis on his hands.
"You know what ... that's Monta's problem," Nelson said. "If he's pissed off at me, he can be pissed off at me. All he's got to do is play for me. He doesn't have to like me. He can be pissed off at me. All he's got to do is give his best effort. Do what the coach says and be the best player he can be. If he can do that, we won't have a problem."
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Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The problem with reporters always laying their opinion over the one they are covering--as Kawakami, Ziller, and others do--is the well dries up and Matt ends up having to listen to the radio to get any news. Matt, you need to talk to your boys. But then they are all knee-deep in anonymous sources. An anonymous source in sports? Oh yes, particularly since the future of the nation is at steak.
I've always thought pretty highly of Nellie, and his ability to get the most out of his match ups on the court. I just wish he wouldn't be so confrontational with the "kids", when a little encouragement could go a long way. Too late for him to change?
Ellis needs to do his job and be a positive part of the team or step aside. Screw the "poor me" attitude and PLAY BALL!!! Jackson is gone and good riddance! He was a head case. If Monta wants to screw his career up over someone who BAILED with no class at all ... if that is your mentor in basketball then I feel sorry for you. Jackson was a negative period and he chose that path.
Ellis needs to DO HIS JOB and in the end if he does he makes even bigger bucks! Here is a guy who lied about hurting himself and was lost for the best part of last year and he is whining? Ellis has the quickness and athleticism to be a phenomenal player but he is not the owner ... or the coach ... he is the player! We all have those days when our boss isn't Mr Niceguy ... so suck it up and show the people that enable you to make millions and millions by showing us who you are! Show some class! Man up rather than talking trash about it. I hope he gets it while he's playing with the Warriors ... they were decent to you when you LIED ... Show us how good you are rather than present the whining "me - me" crappolla. Can Nelson play nice? That's a good question. Not likely at all. I disagree with him all the time but I'm not getting paid to do it so there ya go! But should he have to be a warm and fuzzy coach? How much is Ellis making while he whines? Only $11 million? Give me a break! Do your job and earn your money on the court!
I don't mind reading the account from the bay area sports radio program ... if the quotes are accurate at least I'm getting some kind of news on the Warriors that is not just total National Enquirer kind of negative based BS spin sports writing you find on Fanhouse.