Golden State Warriors News

Monta Ellis leaves game in fourth quarter with left knee injury
Comment
February 9
Oakland Tribune
 
"The Warriors squandered a mostly dominant performance with a fourth-quarter collapse Monday, losing 127-117 to the visiting Dallas Mavericks at Oracle Arena. Adding injury to the insult, Warriors guard Monta Ellis, the team's leader in minutes, scoring, assists, steals and blocked shots, limped off the court with a left knee injury late in the game and did not return. The Warriors (13-37) have lost nine straight games. Guard Anthony Morrow led the Warriors with a season-high 33 points and 11 rebounds. Ellis had 27 points and rookie guard Stephen Curry had 25 points and nine assists. But Mavericks guard Jason Terry scored 10 of his game-high 36 points in the third quarter, and the Mavericks ..."
Corey Maggette sidelined with dislocated ring finger
Comment
February 9
Oakland Tribune
 
"Though he's been shut down by the team's medical staff, Maggette still showed up to Monday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, saying, This is still my team." Maggette suffered the injury diving for a loose ball in the first quarter of Saturday's loss to Oklahoma City. He continued to play after head athletic trainer Tom Abdenour popped his finger back into its socket. Maggette said he had to pop it back in himself five times the rest of the game. "If you would've seen my face," Maggette said, recalling the agony. "My mom was like, 'I have never seen you in pain like that.'" Maggette has two reasons he really wants to play, though he said he wouldn't have been able to play against Dallas. ..."
Right mix hard to find for Golden State Warriors
Comment
February 8
Contra Costa Times
 
"The Warriors have used 27 starting lineups in 49 games. They've lost 280 games due to injury. They have five players currently on the roster who didn't take part in the team's training camp. So when forward Corey Maggette says the team has "no chemistry whatsoever," it's easy to understand why the Warriors are in such a predicament though the season is more than half done. "It's pretty hard when you don't have a consistent group that's playing together," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "Chemistry is just a good balance of players who play off of each other well. That's what we're talking about." As tonight's opponent — the Dallas Mavericks — can attest, Golden State once had a special ..."
With Warriors, it's same as it ever was
Comment
February 8
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Ray Ratto
"When the Warriors were backed into sacrificing the all-important expiring contract of Speedy Claxton, the bizarre tenor of the discussion was almost breathtaking. As in, "The Warriors could have used that expiring contract for some big deal at the deadline, or to help jump-start their offseason talent hunt." To which we who know the Warriors and how they work can ask in response only, "Based on what evidence?" The Warriors don't acquire talent in any classic definition. They acquire fellows who play basketball, and almost all of them don't play it well enough for the Warriors to make an expiring contract a valuable possession. What they do is take tall, thin, nonrebounding, nondefending ..."
Shawn Marion on Mavs-Warriors: 'We have to get this one'
Comment
February 8
Dallas Morning News
 
"The plunging Mavericks have spent the last two nights in the Bay Area, perhaps a perfect setting for a team that needs water splashed in its face. Coming off a humbling home loss to Minnesota – the last-place team in the Western Conference – on Friday, the Mavericks play at Golden State tonight. That precedes a Tuesday night game at Denver. The Mavericks have lost four of their last five games. They're in desperate need of a wakeup call and can't afford to limp into the All-Star break on a 1-6 freefall. "Right now, I don't want to jump the gun," Mavericks forward Shawn Marion said, "but we have to get this one." The Mavericks won at home against Golden State, 110-101, on Wednesday. Then ..."
Another day, another loss
Comment
February 7
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Warriors coach Don Nelson cut off Saturday night's pregame interview after being bored by a series of questions. He was poised for a similar postgame exchange since his team provided more of the same lackluster play that resulted in more of the same results. This time it was a 104-95 loss to Oklahoma City in front of 17,825 that looked smaller, made little noise and left Oracle Arena early. "That was not a good performance by us, and we didn't look much like a team," Nelson said. "We had a lot of guys who didn't play very well, all at the same time." The Warriors (13-36) lost for a season-high eighth straight time and have dropped 12 of their past 14 games. The Thunder (29-21) have won ..."
Claxton cut to keep Tolliver
Comment
February 7
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Warriors general manager Larry Riley wore a blaze orange coat to Saturday's shootaround. "This jacket is for hunting, and I'm ready to get shot at," Riley said. "It's my day to take one bullet. I hope not 50." Riley knew the team made a move that would be dizzying to the locker room and outright blasted by the fans when, earlier in the day, it waived Speedy Claxton to guarantee the contract of NBA Development League call-up Anthony Tolliver. One player said, "I don't get it," and another said, "It doesn't matter. No one wants to come here anyway." The move has been criticized on fan Web sites, as it probably means fans - like the one who tried to join in an interview with Riley before the ..."
Warriors' Ronny Turiaf to provide defibrillators for local high schools
Comment
February 7
Oakland Tribune
 
"Warriors center Ronny Turiaf spent some time with the El Cerrito High School boys basketball team before Saturday's game and said he would purchase defibrillators for local high schools. Turiaf, who had heart surgery during his rookie season, also vowed to visit Gauchos sophomore David Gurganious, 15, who collapsed during a game Tuesday from an apparent heart condition."
GM Larry Riley defends decision to waive Speedy Claxton
Comment
February 7
Oakland Tribune
 
"Warriors general manager Larry Riley said Saturday he knew as soon as he made the decision to waive guard Speedy Claxton and his $5.2 million expiring contract, it would be met with criticism. "I knew that if I made that decision, it was going to be a problem," Riley said. "And I did it because I believe in the things that we're working on. It'll all turn out. We'll be able to look at the trades that are made and see if it would've happened to where maybe we screwed up. I don't think that's going to happen." Forward Anthony Tolliver's second 10-day contract expired Saturday, meaning the Warriors had to sign him for the rest of the season or let him go. The Warriors decided they wanted to ..."
Warriors are Thunder-struck
Comment
February 7
Oakland Tribune
 
"This time, the Warriors can blame a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on themselves. This time, they didn't have to deal with a raucous road crowd. This time, they couldn't chalk it up to the greatness of Thunder forward Kevin Durant. This time, a 104-95 loss to Oklahoma City had more to do with the Warriors' own poor play than anything else. The Warriors shot just 42 percent and turned over the ball 23 times. The result was their eighth consecutive loss and their ninth loss in their past 10 home games. "We just didn't look like a team tonight," coach Don Nelson said. "I had a lot of guys who didn't play well and all at the same time. When you turn the ball over 23 times in this league it ..."
Anthony Randolph slow to recover, could miss rest of season
Comment
February 6
Oakland Tribune
 
"Anthony Randolph will have to wear a protective walking boot on his injured left foot and ankle for at least the next 30 days, casting doubt on any possibility the Warriors' second-year forward could return later this season. After the injury during the Warriors' game against Sacramento on Jan. 8, Randolph was told he would wear a boot for three weeks and be out of the lineup for approximately two months. But Randolph was examined Thursday by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Ferkel and told the ankle needed more time to heal before any rehabilitation could begin. Randolph tore two ligaments and suffered an avulsion fracture and a mild sprain in his left ankle. The Warriors do not believe ..."
Ellis' amazing run has to end
Comment
February 6
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Bruce Jenkins
"It becomes testament to the Warriors' plight that every time Monta Ellis touches the ball, there's an element of sadness. Not from his play - he's a jolt of pure electricity out there, capable of anything at any time - but regarding his future. No matter how many ways you spin this thing, the answer comes up "trade" every time. What could be more ridiculous than trading one of the league's most dynamic scorers, a fast-maturing man who has muzzled every personal issue with the organization for the betterment of morale? Al Harrington couldn't do that. Stephen Jackson didn't come close. Ellis saw himself perched on the high end of the Titanic and figured it was time to join the cause. There's ..."
Randolph likely done for season
Comment
February 6
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Anthony Randolph will have his injured left ankle in a protective walking boot for an additional 30 days, the Warriors announced Friday, a setback that will probably cost the forward the rest of the season and adds another roadblock to potential trades. Randolph tore two outside ligaments in his ankle and endured an avulsion fracture on the inside Jan. 8 against Sacramento. The Warriors originally expected him to be out of the boot this week and to be able to begin a rehabilitation that typically takes at least a month. "It's a shame, because he was putting up big-time numbers in the minutes he was getting," guard Stephen Curry said. "It feels like we were a better team when he was on the ..."
High-flying Monta Ellis deserves All-Star spot
Comment
February 5
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Scott Ostler
"Monta Ellis is paying the price for the moment Latrell Sprewell wrapped his hands around P.J. Carlesimo's neck and spoke the curse: "The Warriors will never have another All-Star, bwaaa-ha-ha!" We gather here to whine about Ellis being snubbed for the All-Star Game. Sure, we're beating a dead horse, but it's better than beating a live horse. Here's why Ellis belongs on the West All-Star team and should have been selected ahead of Chauncey Billups: In a circus trapeze act, there is one guy who catches the flier (or fliers), there is one guy who throws the flier, and then there is the flier, who does the crazy flips and puts his or her life on the line. A good catcher is important, right? ..."
Monta Ellis doesn't have to change plans for All-Star break
Comment
February 4
Contra Costa Times
 
"For the All-Star break, Warriors guard Monta Ellis has long had plans to chill somewhere on a boat with a fishing rod in his hands. Then, word arrived that New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul, who was named an All-Star reserve, would be having surgery and need a replacement. When asked if he would ditch his plans should commissioner David Stern name him as Paul's replacement, Ellis paused before answering. "I'll think about it," Ellis said before cracking a smile. Looks like Ellis won't have to give up his fishing. The NBA announced Wednesday that Stern has pegged Denver Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups as the All-Star alternate. The Northwest Division-leading Nuggets have the ..."
Ellis goes for career-high 46 points, but Warriors lose again
Comment
February 4
Contra Costa Times
 
"Lately, Warriors games have been like that song on the radio that you get tired of hearing. Guard Monta Ellis goes out and dominates. The rest of his teammates struggle to score and, eventually, the opponent double-teams Ellis. Warriors wind up losing. It happened again in Wednesday's 110-101 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Ellis had his best scoring night as a pro, totaling a career-high 46 points on 17-for-23 shooting. He would've topped 50 had he not missed five free throws. "A remarkable performance by Monta," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "Didn't have a great supporting cast, but he fought and kept us in the game, gave us a chance to win." But, again, Ellis couldn't get the Warriors ..."
Ellis not seeing stars
Comment
February 4
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Looks like Warriors guard Monta Ellis can keep his All-Star break fishing plans, after all. NBA Commissioner David Stern on Wednesday chose Denver's Chauncey Billups to replace injured Chris Paul for the Western Conference squad. Ellis leads Billups in nearly every statistical category, but Denver is second in the conference while the Warriors are third from last in the league. "There are some great guards out there, and, yes, Monta Ellis has had a special season," Denver coach George Karl told the Denver Post. "But we have the second-best record, and (Billups), in the last six weeks, has played better than the guys actually on the All-Star team. In my mind, I think it's somewhat of a ..."
Ellis' career best not enough
Comment
February 4
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"With 8.5 seconds remaining in Wednesday's game, Monta Ellis stripped the medical tape from his fingers and tossed it on the floor. At that point, there was nothing else the guard could have left on the American Airlines Center court. Ellis scored a career-high 46 points on 17-of-23 shooting, but the one-man show wasn't enough as the Warriors allowed Dallas to sneak away with a 110-101 victory in front of its 340th consecutive sellout crowd. "That was a remarkable performance by Monta," coach Don Nelson said. "He didn't have a great supporting cast, but he fought to keep us in the game and gave us a chance to win." His layup with 5:11 remaining cut a one-time 18-point deficit to 95-92, but ..."
Mark Cuban will listen to trades, rips Mavericks before win over Warriors
Comment
February 4
Dallas Morning News
 
"Three consecutive losses had sent the Mavericks into a nasty funk. Maybe worse, as the owner said in all-too-blunt terms before Wednesday's game. "We suck right now," Mark Cuban said. About three hours later, the Mavericks were battling Golden State and trying to find some way to calm the owner and the masses. Fate was able to lend a hand. The schedule-maker served up the 13-35 Warriors, who looked nothing like the six-man team that beat the Mavericks at American Airlines Center in November. This time, Golden State was a one-man team. The Mavericks finally subdued Monta Ellis and scored a 110-101 victory. It wasn't anything to pop champagne over. But it was a win. "After three in a row, it ..."
Warriors suffer sixth consecutive loss, falling to Houston Rockets
Comment
February 3
Oakland Tribune
 
"Warriors coach Don Nelson flew in from Dallas where he got treatment on his aching back, and made it in time for Tuesday's game against the Houston Rockets. No doubt, by the 9:18 mark of the fourth quarter, when he subbed in little-used center Chris Hunter, Nelson had to be thinking he should've just stayed in Dallas. Because although his back is now fine, his eyes probably ache after watching the 119-97 punishment his Warriors endured at the hands of the Rockets. "Win or lose, they're my guys," Nelson said. "It's my job to be here if I'm physically able. And I was. I'm feeling (pain) now." Hard to tell if he was referring to his back from the rigors of coaching an NBA game, or to his ego ..."
Warriors drop 6th in a row
Comment
February 3
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Warriors coach Don Nelson has to be questioning his decision to rush here from a Dallas doctor's appointment in time for Tuesday's game. Sure, he would have missed another superstar performance by guard Monta Ellis. But the coach, who received treatment for back spasms, also would have been able to skip the 119-97 loss to Houston that featured apathetic defense, sloppy offense and downright bad play on both ends from the Warriors. "He's hurting, but he wanted to be here and see us do well," guard Stephen Curry said. "It's embarrassing that we gave him a game like this." The Warriors (13-34) trailed wire-to-wire for only the second time this season and fell behind by at least 20 points for ..."
Rockets break out of funk with blowout of Warriors
Comment
February 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"Way back in January, the Rockets were disappointed with the bulk of the season's longest homestand. They thought a month largely spent at home would give their season a needed surge, but they got the calendar page wrong. After suffering through much of January weighed down by sudden expectations and self-examinations, the Rockets got to February and happily did what they always do in February. They breezily routed injury-depleted Golden State 119-97 on Tuesday night for their ninth consecutive win against the Warriors and their 17th in a row at home in February. The Rockets, who have not lost a February home game since 2007, led from start to finish for the first time this season. After a ..."
Banner day for Anthony Morrow, who finds out he'll play during All-Star weekend
Comment
February 3
Oakland Tribune
 
"When Warriors guard Anthony Morrow first got into the Warriors practice facility, he noticed the placards honoring the team's All-Star weekend participants — the last of whom was guard Monta Ellis. So when Morrow got word that he was selected as a replacement player for the sophomore squad in the Rookie Challenge, it didn't take long for him to realize what that means. "So I get a banner?" he asked one of his assistant coaches. Morrow will replace Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, who was one of the original nine second-year players to take on the NBA's notable rookies during All-Star weekend in Dallas. But Rose, who is in the Skills Challenge and was named as a reserve in the All-Star ..."
Warriors' rookie Stephen Curry keeps making strides
Comment
February 2
Oakland Tribune
 
"The NBA announced Monday that Warriors guard Stephen Curry was the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for January. In addition to the national recognition, Curry got something extra. "Congratulate him for rookie of the month," Warriors center Ronny Turiaf said, breaking up Curry's interview after Monday's practice at the Toyota Center. "He has to carry my PlayStation 3 for all road trips from now on." Coach Don Nelson calls Curry the perfect rookie. Not because Curry plays perfectly, but for his coachability and steady growth. January was the result of such development. Over his first 15 games of 2010, Curry averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals. Those numbers ..."
Karl latest 10-day guy with level 10 grit
Comment
February 2
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Warriors have been getting nice help from the NBA Development League. The problem with plugging leaks with D-Leaguers is that team flow, such as it is, suffers. Players need time to learn to play together, develop chemistry. D-Leaguer Cartier Martin was starting to blend in well but had to be cut loose after two 10-day contracts. What to do? The Warriors should call up an entire D-League team. Sign all five starters to back-to-back 10-day contracts. Instant cohesive starting five for 20 games. Bring up the Iowa Energy; they have the best record in the D-League, and well-balanced scoring, so apparently they pass the ball around. Some stickler will point out that roster rules won't ..."
For every Warriors' high, a low
Comment
February 1
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"During a 1 1/2-minute interview after the Warriors' 112-104 loss to Oklahoma City on Sunday, coach Don Nelson sat down, stood for a moment, then returned to his seat. In Nelson's discomfort from back spasms, he gave a precise visual of his team's up-and-down play this season. After being trounced by Oklahoma City in the third quarter, the Warriors made their usual comeback without enough in reserve to stand the test at game's end. The Warriors have been outscored in the third quarter on 30 occasions, and they've lost all but three of those games. "I'm not sure exactly why it is, but it's been our nemesis our whole season," Nelson said. "We've just got to get it under control and stop ..."
Newest Warrior has a familiar last name
Comment
February 1
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Coach Don Nelson said Coby Karl has been on the Warriors' radar for a long time. Just how long? Try since birth. "I've known Nellie forever," said Karl, who signed a 10-day contract Sunday to become the Warriors' latest of four call-ups from the NBA Development League. "We met a number of times and had dinners together. He's been a great NBA friend." Karl's father, George, is the current Denver coach and was replaced in Golden State by Nelson in 1988. This reunion, however, has less to do with the longtime family relationship and more to do with how well Karl had been playing for the Idaho Stampede - averaging 27.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in five games. "He has knocked on the ..."
Coby Karl expected to sign with Warriors today
Comment
January 31
Oakland Tribune
 
"The fragile nature of the Warriors roster has forced them to reach into the NBA Developmental League again. Golden State is expected to announce the signing of guard Coby Karl today, and he should join the team in time for tonight's game at Oklahoma City. Karl, the son of Denver Nuggets coach George Karl, is the fourth player from the D-League to join the Warriors this season. "This is a D-League showcase," Warriors assistant coach Keith Smart said with a laugh. "This is where dreams are made." The Warriors were forced into a decision of either keeping Cartier Martin for the rest of the season (which would have meant cutting a player with a guaranteed contract) or picking up another ..."
No contract for Martin
Comment
January 30
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Swingman Cartier Martin was informed by the team before Friday's game that he would not be offered a guaranteed contract for the remainder of the season, according to Warriors sources. The Warriors are at the league limit with 15 guaranteed roster spots, and Martin's second and final 10-day contract expires today. He is hoping the Warriors make a move that opens a roster spot before the Feb. 18 trade deadline. "If there is room for me, I think they'll give me another shot to come back and play," Martin said. "I don't have worries about what is going to happen, because I know I'm good enough to play in this league. I understand the business, and this only makes me hungrier for the next ..."
Warriors fall to Jackson-infused Bobcats
Comment
January 30
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Warriors' players arrived at Oracle Arena on Friday night to find a printed message in each of their lockers, asking if they were going to compete or complain. Apparently, most of them chose the invisible choice C: neither. The Warriors offered their second consecutive lifeless performance, losing this time 121-110 to Charlotte. The 17,850 fans who began the game heartily booing Stephen Jackson's return reserved their catcalls for the Warriors by the fourth quarter. "We're missing a lot of energy," center Andris Biedrins said. "I don't know why, but we're not bringing it every night. We all need to come together and really think about it." Most of the crowd was gone by the time D.J. ..."
Stephen Jackson glad he left, happy to visit
Comment
January 30
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Stephen Jackson was largely conciliatory Friday, in his first trip to the Bay Area since he forced a trade from the Warriors to Charlotte in November. "I've done a lot for this city, and I had a lot to do with ending the 13-year playoff drought," Jackson said. "I'm happy I was able to bring that back to the city, and I have a lot of respect and love for Don Nelson. I'm happy to be here, and I'm still grateful for what Don Nelson and the Warriors organization did for me." Speaking to a gaggle of about a dozen members of the media at the Four Seasons Sports Club in San Francisco, Jackson held court for 6 1/2 minutes. The interview came about 10 hours before the Oracle Arena fans booed his ..."
Booing has become routine in Oakland
Comment
January 30
Contra Costa Times
 columnist Cam Inman
"We boo-lieve. That about sums up the East Bay's pro sports scene. At this rate of fan frustration, the region is rapidly becoming Philadelphia West. The latest object of disaffection: Stephen Jackson, former activist in the Warriors' 2007 "We Believe" playoff run. Some 2½ months after the Warriors granted his public trade request, Jackson returned to Oracle Arena for the first time and gleefully scored 30 points in the Charlotte Bobcats' 121-110 win Friday. Boos echoed every time he touched leather. Yes, echoed, for this isn't the same arena that fans once packed to the rafters (yep, still only one championship banner hanging up there). Of course, boos weren't surprising from the ..."
Stephen Jackson thrives in return to Oakland
Comment
January 30
Contra Costa Times
 
"Charlotte Bobcats swingman Stephen Jackson said he'd give Don Nelson, his former head coach, "a big hug." For team president Robert Rowell - who approved the three-year, $28 million extension the Warriors gave Jackson just over a year ago - Jackson said he'd give him a high-five. "I don't know if the hug's gonna be there," Jackson said. As for the rest of his former teammates, Jackson scored 30 points and gave them a 121-110 loss Friday. The former Warrior's fifth 30-point game of the season, coupled with 30 points and 13 rebounds from All-Star forward Gerald Wallace, helped hand the Warriors their fourth consecutive loss. Golden State (13-32) has lost seven of its last nine. The crowd ..."
Forward Cartier Martin expected to be released today
Comment
January 30
Contra Costa Times
 
"Warriors forward Cartier Martin finished with four points and three rebounds in 10 minutes of Friday's 121-110 loss to the visiting Charlotte Bobcats. It is expected to be his last game as a Warrior. Martin's second 10-day contract expires today, and the Warriors have two options: Sign him for the rest of the season or let him go. A team source said Martin will be released. Golden State does not have a roster spot available and creating one would require them sacrificing a trade asset or eating salary. The Warriors would have to pull off a trade that sends away two players and returns one, or they would have to cut someone because they already have a maximum 15 guaranteed contracts."
Bobcats' Jackson muffles his old team
Comment
January 30
Charlotte Observer
 
"If you're going to all that expense (over $200,000 in fines at the start of the season) and all that trouble (they booed him in the layup line Friday) to get out of Golden State, then the least you can do is make sure the old team doesn't beat you. So was it any surprise Stephen Jackson would personally shut up every loudmouth at Oracle Arena Friday? He slapped 30 points on his old team to lock up a 121-110 Charlotte Bobcats victory. Jackson said he forced his way off the Warriors to get a shot at the playoffs. At 23-22, and on a two-game road winning streak, they have the look and feel of a playoff team. Certainly the Warriors don't. Charlottean Stephen Curry, a Warriors rookie, figures ..."
Coaches don't vote Golden State Warriors' Monta Ellis to West All-Star team
Comment
January 29
Oakland Tribune
 
"The reserves for next month's NBA All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas, were announced Thursday, and Warriors guard Monta Ellis' name was nowhere to be found. The names of the Eastern and Western Conference reserves, seven for each conference, were surfacing online hours before they were revealed on TNT. Three guards were selected to come off the bench for the West squad on Feb. 14 at Cowboys Stadium: point guards Chris Paul of New Orleans and Deron Williams of Utah and shooting guard Brandon Roy of Portland. No Ellis. "It's disappointing to me. Mr. Unbelievable has been doing everything for our team," Warriors forward Corey Maggette said of Ellis, who declined to talk to the media after ..."
League snubs Ellis, ending All-Star hopes
Comment
January 29
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Warriors' dreams of having their first All-Star since Latrell Sprewell in 1997 were dashed Thursday when the league announced guard Monta Ellis was not among the Western Conference reserves. Speaking for Ellis, who didn't address the media after practice, forward Corey Maggette said, "It's disappointing to me. 'Mr. Unbelievable' has been doing everything for our team. I think a lot of people, who deserve it, don't get a chance to play because their team is losing." Ellis is among the league leaders in points (26.0 ppg, sixth going into Thursday's games), assists (5.6, 16th) and steals (2.2, third). Viewers during TNT's selection show ranked him fourth among players getting snubbed, ..."
Warriors' Monta Ellis doesn't make NBA All-Star team
Comment
January 28
Contra Costa Times
 
"The reserves for next month's NBA All-Star game in Dallas were leaked Thursday morning, and Warriors guard Monta Ellis' name was nowhere to be found. The names of the Eastern and Western Conference reserves, seven for each conference, were surfacing online hours before they were to be revealed on TNT. Three guards were selected to come off the bench for the West squad: New Orleans point guard Chris Paul, Portland shooting guard Brandon Roy and Utah point guard Deron Williams. Paul and Roy were virtual locks. But more coaches thought Williams, a Dallas native, should receive his first All-Star berth over Ellis. Williams is averaging 19.0 points and 9.5 assists for a team that is 27-18. ..."
Cohan needs to sell Warriors to Oracle's Larry Ellison
Comment
January 28
Oakland Tribune
 columnist Monte Poole
"WHEN YOU own a professional sports team and you routinely hide from your clientele, a hostage to your lack of popularity and your franchise's ineptitude, it's time to get out. All you need, really, is someone to come along with plenty of money, eager to use some of it to buy your team. So when you're in the position that Chris Cohan is in, reputation soiled and surrounded by legal issues, you thank the heavens for someone like Larry Ellison. From the safety and security of his multibillion-dollar corporation, Oracle Corp., Ellison has tossed a rope to Cohan, in public, offering to spare the Warriors owner further indignity and humiliation. Though it was known that Ellison has had an ..."
Warriors fall flat in front of Ellison
Comment
January 28
Oakland Tribune
 
"Warriors world was abuzz much of Wednesday with talk of potential new ownership. Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, for the first time, acknowledged publicly at a company meeting that he wanted to buy the Warriors. That was before the 123-110 spanking Golden State received at the hands of the New Orleans Hornets. Wednesday's performance by the Warriors might've been ugly enough to make even the billionaire software mogul think twice. One night after clawing from behind in a heartbreaking loss at Sacramento, Golden State looked sluggish and discombobulated. Not even the return of Warriors guard Monta Ellis, who missed the previous two games with a sprained right ankle, was enough to save the ..."
Is Maggette-Nelson tiff over?
Comment
January 28
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Corey Maggette didn't address the media Wednesday, but, by all accounts, the forward's tiff with Warriors coach Don Nelson from the night before had been quashed. "If you saw (Maggette's) face, you wouldn't know about yesterday," guard Stephen Curry said. "You wouldn't think anything was wrong with him." Maggette argued a non-call in the closing seconds of Tuesday's 99-96 loss at Sacramento, was whistled for a technical, and, as he walked toward the bench, he pointed and screamed at Nelson for not backing his argument. "He was just off of a very tough game, so he was a little upset, but he'll get over it," Nelson said. "The last thing we needed was a technical at that time, especially two ..."
Can Ellis keep going if team keeps losing?
Comment
January 28
San Francisco Chronicle
 
""Monta, come on back. We need you, baby," Don Nelson said to Monta Ellis on Tuesday night, via Nelson's postgame TV interview. Ellis missed two games with an ankle bruise. On Wednesday, he came back, baby, and played well, with 19 points and nine assists in a 123-110 loss to the New Orleans Hornets. Business as usual. Ellis playing at a high level, the Warriors losing. It's a precarious situation. Ellis almost surely will not be chosen to the All-Star team, and that has to hurt. Mark Cuban is promising that All-Star weekend in Texas will be the biggest party in the history of America, and who wants to be left off that platinum VIP list? What has to hurt Ellis much more is the reason he ..."
Oklahoma City's Westbrook, Harden named to NBA Rookie Challenge
Comment
January 27
The Oklahoman
 
"Oklahoma City teammates Russell Westbrook and James Harden will face each other in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam to be held on Friday, Feb. 12 in Dallas during NBA All-Star 2010. The participants in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot. Westbrook joins 2009 Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose of Chicago on the Sophomore team. Other players on that team are Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley, Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Gordon, Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Kevin Love, New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez, New York Knicks forward Danilo Gallinari and a pair of teammates from the Memphis ..."
Warriors lose to Sacramento Kings
Comment
January 27
Contra Costa Times
 
"The Northern California rivalry between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings has been reduced to a clumsy tango between draft lottery-bound franchises. But whose fans have bragging rights? "Who has the most wins?" guard C.J. Watson said. After the 99-96 gut-wrenching loss the Warriors received Tuesday at Arco Arena, the Kings have three more victories than Golden State. "Well," Watson concluded, "there you go." The Warriors (13-30), who were playing without injured guard Monta Ellis for the second consecutive game, had been dominated most of the night by the Kings (16-28), losers of seven straight entering the game. But Golden State fought back behind to put the fear of the Bay ..."
Lineup looks more familiar
Comment
January 27
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Vladimir Radmanovic played Tuesday night, allowing the Warriors to field a more prototypical lineup. It was his first action since he begged out of the Jan. 13 game against Miami with a sore right Achilles tendon. Radmanovic and Anthony Tolliver give the Warriors two natural power forwards. During Radmanovic's five-game absence, small forward Corey Maggette was forced to play some stints against bigger power forwards, something coach Don Nelson wants to avoid. "That's one of the reasons it's great to have (Radmanovic) back," center Andris Biedrins said. "We really need him, so Corey can play the 3." Since Nelson decided to play Maggette mostly at small forward, he had been on a tear. ..."
Warriors lose ugly in Sacramento
Comment
January 27
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Warriors started Tuesday night's game looking like a team that hadn't played together before, and they ended it looking like a team that didn't want to play together anymore. They scratched back from their worst first half of the season and a 21-point deficit to make it close, but, by the time Sacramento was wrapping up its 99-96 win at Arco Arena, Corey Maggette was yelling at his coach. With the Warriors trailing 96-92, Maggette thought he was fouled when Donte Greene blocked his layup attempt. Maggette argued, was whistled for a technical, and, as he walked toward the bench, he pointed and screamed at coach Don Nelson. "They've been fouling me all game," Maggette yelled. "You've got ..."
Morrow probably won't play vs. Bobcats on Friday
Comment
January 27
Contra Costa Times
 
"Warriors guard Anthony Morrow said he doesn't think he will be back by Friday, though he's hoping to be on the court for the return of his former teammate, Charlotte swingman Stephen Jackson. "That is going to be an exciting game," Morrow said with a smile. The Warriors said Morrow would be out one to two weeks with a sprained right knee. Friday makes two weeks since he sustained the injury against Milwaukee on Jan. 15. But Morrow has done little more than light jogging and shooting, although he started doing lateral work on Tuesday. Morrow said he expects his knee to be sore for a while even after he returns. Still, he said he would be ready for the Three-Point Contest on All-Star ..."
Warriors' Ellis gets a pass
Comment
January 26
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Warriors held a rare nighttime practice Monday, and Monta Ellis was dressed for the occasion. Instead of high-tops, he had on a cozy pair of slippers and had a whistle around his neck, though he didn't appear to do any coaching. As his teammates ran the floor, he stood and watched, still shelved with what the Warriors call a strained right ankle. Ellis, who'll miss tonight's game in Sacramento, didn't address the media, but he told a team spokesman, "I'm good. I'm playing on Wednesday," when the Warriors host the New Orleans Hornets. Cartier Martin replaced Ellis in Saturday's lineup (a 112-103 loss at Phoenix), but coach Don Nelson wasn't ready to say he'll use the same starting five ..."
The Golden State Warriors' Monta Ellis doesn't deserve an All-Star roster spot
Comment
January 26
Oakland Tribune
 columnist Tim Kawakami
"Important message for Warriors stalwarts fretting that Monta Ellis' recent ankle injury might greatly affect his All-Star candidacy: It won't change anything. At all. Ellis didn't play Saturday in Phoenix (and won't play tonight in Sacramento), so he was denied the chance to shoot 34 more times, score 30 more points, and perform several remarkable anti-gravity twirls during the Warriors' eventual 112-103 defeat. He's very good at those things - maybe the best in the league, and getting better, health willing. After last season's personal debacle, Ellis is maturing as a person and player amid the Warriors' annual shipwreck, which is a credit to him. But Ellis shouldn't and won't be added to ..."