Warriors News

Warriors sources say Anthony Randolph to blame for his lack of playing time
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November 7
Oakland Tribune
 
"Warriors management will not force coach Don Nelson to play second-year forward Anthony Randolph. A team source said the front office is confident in Nelson's judgment of the situation, especially after the way Nelson dealt with Randolph last season. Thus, Nelson will get no pressure from general manager Larry Riley or president Robert Rowell. Some in the organization, even in the locker room, say Randolph has been his own worst enemy and that this latest episode isn't Nelson's fault. Two players said Randolph needs to improve his attitude and humble himself, even though Randolph feels as though Nelson is picking on him. "He's got a lot to learn," one member of the organization said. "He's ..."
Golden State Warriors crushed by Clippers
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November 7
Oakland Tribune
 
"Warriors coach Don Nelson said he was embarrassed. Guard Monta Ellis called it the worst game he's played in as a Warrior. The Warriors lost 118-90 at home to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. "We all should be embarrassed," Ellis said after totaling 14 points, six assists and six turnovers. "This was a terrible game. A terrible performance. We looked like we didn't know what we were doing out there. We looked like a high school team. We didn't do anything. ... I couldn't tell you what it was. I just know that's not how I want to play basketball." It's bad enough for Warriors fans that their team got humiliated. But it certainly had to sting more considering it came at the hands of ..."
Warriors blitzed by Clippers in second half
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November 7
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Coach Don Nelson deemed the Warriors' 118-90 loss Friday night an embarrassment, and his players parroted the message after being thoroughly outplayed by the Clippers in front of 18,788 at Oracle Arena. "I don't have a lot to tell you other than what you saw for yourself: a bad performance and bad effort," Nelson said. "We all should be embarrassed," Monta Ellis said. "This was a terrible performance, and a terrible game. We looked like we didn't know what we were doing out there. We looked like a high school team. "We didn't do anything." The Warriors did shoot poorly, did play little or no defense, and did turn the fourth quarter into an irrelevant collection of 12 minutes. They shot ..."
Baron Davis leads Clippers to win
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November 7
Los Angeles Times
 
"Baron Davis, a self-proclaimed aspiring author, was talking all about the transition game Friday. And not just the transition game on the court. He firmly declared the Golden State Warriors part of his life to be over and sealed shut. Davis backed up those words with his actions a couple of hours of later, leading the Clippers to a 118-90 victory against his former team at Oracle Arena. "I think that chapter is officially closed," he said. "I'm trying to open up that new chapter and start it here with the Clippers." Then again, last season's disaster with the 19-win Clippers could have prompted a book-burning party."
Andris Biedrins' injury leaves Warriors short at center
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November 6
Oakland Tribune
 
"The Warriors may be down two centers as Andris Biedrins, the starter, is questionable for today's game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of an ailing back. "It's a little sore," Biedrins said Thursday. "Hopefully I will play, but we'll see (today)." Biedrins' backup, Ronny Turiaf, missed Wednesday's game with a sprained left knee. He did not practice Thursday and is doubtful for today's game. So coach Don Nelson will turn to veteran Mikki Moore as the starting center if Biedrins or Turiaf can't play. The last time Moore started was last season with the Sacramento Kings, on Jan."‰6 at Chicago. Anthony Randolph, whom Nelson said will serve as a backup center, won't start because the ..."
Against Clips, big men could play biggest role
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November 6
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist John Shea
"It's almost always a good time to play the Clippers, the Warriors' opponent tonight. But on this occasion, the Warriors could be at a disadvantage in one noticeable area - big men. Center Andris Biedrins said his playing status is 50-50 after straining his back in the final moments of Wednesday's 113-105 win over Memphis. Biedrins said he would be far from 100 percent if he suits up. With post Ronny Turiaf still shelved with a sprained left knee, the Warriors could be vulnerable underneath against Clippers 7-footer Chris Kaman (averaging 22.6 points, highest among NBA centers, and 10.2 rebounds) and 6-11 Marcus Camby. Even without Biedrins, Anthony Randolph won't be in the starting lineup, ..."
One-win Warriors go small, have big night
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November 5
San Francisco Chronicle
 
""That's confidence," Stephen Jackson said. "That's all we needed." The Warriors got a well-rounded effort, and coach Don Nelson's imagination paid dividends for a 113-105 victory over Memphis in front of 17,457 fans at Oracle Arena. The Warriors had four 20-point scorers, and got a combined 21 assists from Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry. In his most complete game in 2 1/2 years, Ellis had 24 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds. "Monta was sensational," Nelson said. "His shot wasn't even falling, and he still had a monster game." Anthony Morrow scored 24 points on 10-for-12 shooting, and Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette added 20 apiece. Curry had seven points, nine assists and five ..."
Putting fun in dysfunctional
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November 5
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Scott Ostler
"It was a reminder that the Warriors haven't cornered the NBA market on disaffected players or odd chemistry. Iverson missed the Grizzlies' first three games with an injury, came off the bench in Game 4, then groused that he has no intention of being a supporting actor in anybody's drama. It would seem that a detail like that would have been hammered out up-front, not after the contract was signed. Uh, Mr. Iverson, we'd like you to provide a spark off the bench. You want a spark off the bench, go hire a bad electrician. In your NBA Most Dysfunctional Team fantasy league, you are golden if you took the Grizzlies, but don't give up just yet on your Warriors. The Warriors triumphed 113-105, ..."
Randolph could get a shot at center
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November 5
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Randolph is listed at 6-foot-11 but says he's closer to 7- foot. He once was considered the team's long-term solution at power forward, and many believed that he could develop into a "3" with his assortment of skills. No one seems to know what to make of the second-year player anymore. "He's probably taller than anybody I've got on the team right now, and he's still growing, they tell me," Nelson said. "Maybe, eventually, center will be his position. I don't know." One thing is certain: The future is not now. Starting center Andris Biedrins picked up his third foul in the opening six minutes against Memphis on Wednesday night, but Nelson didn't turn to Randolph. Instead, the coach opted ..."
Warriors get in win column for first time this season
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November 5
Contra Costa Times
 
"The Warriors answered their ball-movement issues on Wednesday night. They registered a season-high 29 assists en route to their first win of the season, a 113-105 victory over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies. The starting backcourt of Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry combined for 21 assists, spearheading the Warriors' selfless attack against one of the NBA's worst defenses. "That's exactly what we needed to have," Ellis said. "We had a lot of fun out there tonight, got back to playing Warriors basketball. We started running, getting everybody open shots, making shots, making plays, playing defense, getting rebounds. That's what we needed to get back to doing." Ellis had 24 points, 12 assists ..."
Golden State Warriors' Anthony Randolph's playing time is spotty
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November 5
Contra Costa Times
 
"Randolph's playing time is spotty Warriors coach Don Nelson said second-year forward Anthony Randolph would serve as the backup center for the immediate future. So when starting center Andris Biedrins picked up his third foul midway through the first quarter on Wednesday, guess who checked into the game? Mikki Moore. It was a microcosm of Randolph's night. He played 7:06 in the Warriors' 113-105 win over Memphis. It was enough time for him to record four points, three rebounds, two turnovers and three fouls. He was the first player out of the locker room and unavailable for comment. "Randolph did fine," Nelson said. Nelson said he only would play Randolph against backup centers, and he ..."
Grizzlies fall to Golden State Warriors, 113-105
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November 5
Memphis Commercial Appeal
 
"Lionel Hollins laughed at first when asked what it's like to play against a Don Nelson-coached team. Hollins then said his Grizzlies were about to enter a torture chamber. The Grizzlies' coach described Nelson's Golden State Warriors as a team that's churning to find mismatches with a bunch of 6-foot-8-and-under players. "You just have to take advantage of your mismatches," Hollins said, "and find a force that Nelly can't deal with." Memphis' Marc Gasol, who scored 12 points, shoots above Golden State's Stephen Jackson during the first half Wednesday night in Oakland, Calif. Unfortunately for Hollins, the Griz lived in that torture chamber for the final three quarters Wednesday night en ..."
Nelson adds lineup twist to juggling act
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November 4
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Stephen Jackson says he's sporting a recently chiseled 240-pound frame. He has four new tattoos, with a yet-to-be disclosed fifth one on the way. With the fresh body and fresh ink, why not try a fresh position? "At this point, we need to try anything to get us going and get us on a positive note," Jackson said Tuesday. "If that means going small and having more of an offensive team, and it works, then that's what we need." Jackson got Chinese characters representing honor and loyalty tattooed on his neck this week and two Bible scriptures inked on his chest. His bigger change is that he will start for the Warriors at power forward tonight, when they host Memphis and try to gyrate a season ..."
Already, it's a must-win game for the Warriors
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November 4
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Scott Ostler
"The Warriors are more exciting than most NBA teams. Most NBA teams don't play must-win games one week into a season. Warriors fans might even consider breaking out their "We Believe" T-shirts for tonight's home game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors lost their opener 108-107 to the tired and injured Houston Rockets, then got smoked 123-101 in Phoenix by the Suns. The early schedule is kind to the Warriors, the first eight games against beatable opponents. Which means if the Warriors were to lose tonight to the clueless 1-3 Grizz, the local club might be zooming toward a disastrous first month. It's too early to panic, but why not beat the rush? Really, though, all the Warriors ..."
Monta know the way to better defense
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November 4
Contra Costa Times
 
"If defense is mostly desire, as many a coach has said, then it seems Warriors guard Monta Ellis is on his way to becoming a good defender. How fast he gets there could determine, in the short term, the Warriors' success, and, in the long term, his tenure with the franchise. With rookie Stephen Curry seemingly entrenched as the starting point guard, the burden falls on Ellis to prove he can be a viable shooting guard on both ends of the court. "He has that mentality," Warriors assistant coach Scott Roth said. "He definitely has the capability to be a very good defender. I think he's just average at this point and working on being very good. But that's our whole team across the board." Ellis ..."
Azubuike impresses, gets start for Warriors
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November 3
Contra Costa Times
 
"The Warriors used an NBA-leading 46 starting lineups in 82 games last season. They are on pace for 82 this season as Wednesday night will feature their third set of starters in three games. Warriors coach Don Nelson announced Monday that he'll start Kelenna Azubuike at small forward against the Memphis Grizzlies and move Stephen Jackson to power forward. "It means more minutes (for me) probably," Azubuike said after Monday's practice, "and that's always welcomed." Second-year forward Anthony Randolph, who started Friday at power forward, is back to the bench. This time he will back up center Andris Biedrins. That job used to belong to big man Ronny Turiaf, who started the season opener at ..."
Azubuike practicing with starting unit
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November 2
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"After two regular-season games, Azubuike has leaped the 50-foot gulf between the courts. He worked with the starting unit Sunday morning and is prepping for an increased role. "I just plan to keep playing hard, playing good defense, providing rebounding and scoring, if I need to," Azubuike said. "I need to do some of everything, because this team needs a lot right now." Though seven Warriors have played more minutes, Azubuike is among the team leaders in a number of categories. He's second in scoring (15.0 points per game), field-goal percentage (61.9) and blocked shots (1.0), and fifth in rebounding (4.5). Coach Don Nelson didn't know what to expect from Azubuike, since he missed three of ..."
Turiaf day-to-day with knee sprain; MRI shows no damage
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November 2
Contra Costa Times
 
"An MRI revealed no damage in Warriors backup center Ronny Turiaf's left knee, but he is out with a sprain. Turiaf left Friday's game against Phoenix early in the fourth quarter and didn't return. He said he went for an offensive rebound and felt his leg give out a sharp pain. Listed as day-to-day, Turiaf said his knee feels better, and he didn't rule out playing Wednesday against visiting Memphis. "This is an injury that I played with last year towards the end, so I am familiar with it," Turiaf said, "I just have to stay on top of it because that is something you have to be careful with. For the position that I play, I need to have power in my legs to play defense and be successful." Even ..."
When teammates become foes
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November 1
Indianapolis Star
 
"Midway through his sixth season in the NBA, Troy Murphy was traded from his original team, the Golden State Warriors, to the Indiana Pacers. Twenty-one days later, he played against the Warriors. "It was really kind of odd," said Murphy, now in his fourth season with the Pacers. "You know those guys and spent so much time with them over the years, to go against them, it's just an odd situation." With so much player movement in the NBA, many end up facing former teammates, some of whom have become close friends. Dahntay Jones goes through it next, when the Pacers (0-2) play Tuesday night against Denver (2-0 heading into tonight's game against Memphis). It's the first regular-season game for ..."
Warriors struggle in lopsided loss to Phoenix
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October 31
Oakland Tribune
 
"Inept. That's how Warriors coach Don Nelson described his team's offense in Friday's 123-101 loss to the Phoenix Suns at U.S. Airways Center. Golden State shot 42.4 percent, turned over the ball 22 times (leading to 31 points), and failed to produce a 20-point scorer. Guard Monta Ellis led the Warriors with 19 points on 7-for-19 shooting. Swingman Kelenna Azubuike had 17 off the bench. "Not executing the plays very well," said rookie guard Stephen Curry, who had 12 points, four assists and three turnovers in 39 minutes. "I think it was just not being able to run the plays that we wanted to and getting the shots we wanted. And we were kind of scrambling all night. That's what inept means to ..."
Nash teaches Curry how it's done
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October 31
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"When Warriors rookie Stephen Curry was yanked in the closing minute of the first half Friday night, a courtside fan stood up and yelled, "Take some notes, Curry." Consider Friday's 123-101 loss to Phoenix learning experience No. 2 of the point guard's two-game career. After making a costly turnover in the final 1 1/2 minutes of the Warriors' one-point loss to Houston on Wednesday, Curry got a game's worth of lessons from Steve Nash at the US Airways Center. "Hopefully, Curry will learn a little from each game," coach Don Nelson said. "He saw a great point guard tonight, one that I know he would like to emulate." Nash had 18 points, 20 assists and six rebounds, and he didn't make any of his ..."
Randolph ready to start, not ready for Stoudemire
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October 31
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Second-year forward Anthony Randolph, who has been slowed by back and knee injuries, was back in the starting lineup Friday, but coach Don Nelson didn't match him with Phoenix forward Amar'e Stoudemire. "He's not ready for that yet," Nelson said. He matched Andris Biedrins with Stoudemire and Randolph with center Channing Frye. The Warriors reportedly were close to acquiring Stoudemire, a four-time All-Star, in a draft-day trade in June. Talks broke down because of his refusal to sign a contract extension, the Suns' desire to obtain rookie Stephen Curry or a suspect injury report, depending on whom you believe. So Randolph remains the Warriors' future at power forward. He had eight points ..."
Suns run with ease in home opener
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October 31
Arizona Republic
 
"Coach Alvin Gentry went through a list of kudos Friday night as long as his arm after the Suns' 123-101 victory over Golden State in their home opener. There was plenty to commend, including the Suns' defense and rebounding, Channing Frye's six 3-pointers, two well-played halves by the Suns reserves and the scoring bursts by Leandro Barbosa in the second quarter (12 points) and Grant Hill in the first quarter (11 points). Then Gentry remembered who passed the baton during the Suns' sprint relay. After the Suns opened the season with two fast-break points Wednesday, point guard Steve Nash put the Suns back on the running track Friday with 18 points, 20 assists and six rebounds. He won ..."
Source: Randolph to Start
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October 30
ESPN.com
 
"After making the most of his 10 minutes of play on opening night, Golden State forward Anthony Randolph has been rewarded with a starting spot, according to a person close to the team. The 6-10 Randolph, who had 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block and 1 assist in Wednesday's season-opening loss to the Houston Rockets, will start at power forward Friday at Phoenix, moving ahead of Wednesday's starter Ronny Turiaf."
Curry's in, Jackson out to Warriors fans
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October 30
Charlotte Observer
 
"Stephen Curry is the fun, fragile future of the Golden State Warriors, and Stephen Jackson already looks as if he's part of the past. Funny how that works: Curry gets highlighted precisely at the same time Jackson gets booed. That is your recent Warriors history/revolving door in a nutshell, right there on strange opening night in a 108-107 loss to the not-good Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. So the Warriors aren't very good. OK, we sort of knew that. But if there was anything else worth concluding from Wednesday's game, it was that Curry is a full and indoctrinated Warrior, in every positive and negative way. And Jackson is unquestionably on his way out, consistently booed and heckled ..."
Nelson agrees Warriors' Morrow needs more shots
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October 30
Oakland Tribune
 
"The general consensus among the Warriors is that second-year guard Anthony Morrow needs more shots. "He's probably the greatest shooter I've ever coached," coach Don Nelson said. "And I've had some good ones, but no one like Morrow. You've got to know where he is at all times." Morrow took seven shots in 22 minutes, making three, during Wednesday's season-opening home loss to Houston. One of them was a 3-pointer in the final seconds, but his game-tying attempt over two defenders was off the mark. Part of the reason he missed the last-second shot was that he had no rhythm. He had just checked in after sitting for most of the fourth quarter. When he was on the court, he averaged one shot ..."
When to shoot is an art cultivated by Curry, Nash
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October 30
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"When Don Nelson acquired Steve Nash as an unestablished third-year player in Dallas for the 1998-99 season, the coach threatened to fine the point guard if he didn't shoot the ball at least 10 times a game. "He just wanted to pass the ball and make everyone happy, so he was half the player I thought he could become," Nelson said. "I had to try a whole bunch of different stuff to get him to take his shots." That point finally sank in during the 2000-01 season, when Nash nearly doubled his shot total, averaged 15.6 points and 7.3 assists and made the first of six All-Star Game appearances. Four seasons later, Nash won his first of back-to-back MVP awards in Phoenix. Nelson, now the Warriors ..."
Jackson rumors all over the map
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October 29
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"With rumors again swirling that the Warriors might grant Stephen Jackson his trade request, the sold-out, opening-night crowd had a power struggle in how to deal with the swingman Wednesday. The crowd's boos overpowered the cheers during pregame introductions. Jackson was booed like he was on the road throughout his first four touches. And, after the happy side out-applauded the hater side during his first free-throw attempt, the jeers prevailed when the shot missed. Jackson requested a trade to a contender before training camp, but he has publicly backed off that desire in recent weeks. Still, ESPN reported Wednesday that trade talks have "heated up." The report said the Warriors are ..."
Curry's debut is solid, but not off the charts
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October 29
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Scott Ostler
"Stephen Curry's challenge is easy. All he has to do is become Tim Lincecum in short pants. On Wednesday night, the Warriors lost their opener to the visiting Rockets 108-107, but it would appear that they have found something valuable: a genuine NBA-caliber point guard. And potentially the most exciting young Bay Area athlete since Lincecum. Superstardom is somewhere in the future, but Wednesday night Curry started, played 36 minutes, had 14 points, seven assists, four steals and two turnovers. How did Don Nelson feel about having the ball in a rookie's hands as his team made a comeback run? "I love it," said Nelson, alleged hater of rookies and all things youthful. "If he's our best ..."
Jackson has mixed reviews
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October 29
Contra Costa Times
 
"Warriors swingman Stephen Jackson said he knew it was coming. The boos. "Fans are so predictable about that," he said. "Any time you say you want to leave, that's going to happen. I was prepared for it. They can do it all they want. I'm going to go out there and play hard for the fans that do support me." They booed him when he was announced with the starting lineups. For the first few minutes, they booed when he had the ball in his hands. They booed him when he clanked a 3-pointer. He was cheered, too. They cheered when he found Andris Biedrins under the basket for a lay-up in the first quarter. They cheered when he nailed back-to-back 3-pointers in the second. They cheered after he made ..."
Warriors swing, miss
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October 29
Contra Costa Times
 
"The good news: rookie guard Stephen Curry lived up to the hype the preceded his NBA debut Wednesday night. He finished with 14 points, seven assists, four steals and two turnovers in 36 minutes. The bad news: it wasn't enough to prevent the Warriors from dropping a winnable game, losing 108-107 to the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. The Warriors also got 26 points and five assists from guard Monta Ellis. But Houston, finishing off a back-to-back set, were too good from the outside. They knocked down 12 3-pointers and countless mid-range jumpers. Guard Trevor Ariza and forward Luis Scola combined for 46 points on 16-for-32 shooting. Curry made a few mistakes down the stretch. But those ..."
Would you buy a ticket to see this Warriors team?
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October 29
Contra Costa Times
 columnist Mark Purdy
"One question. One question only. Why should someone buy a ticket to a Warriors game this season? Monta Ellis was posed those exact words Tuesday afternoon, about 30 hours before tonight's opener. "Why?" replied Ellis, repeating the first word of the question. He paused a while longer, searching his brain. At last, Ellis said: "We're the Golden State Warriors." Guess you can interpret that answer any way you wish. After all, plenty of people around the world buy tickets to watch demolition derbies. This is a free country. People can decide what to do with their discretionary spending. But honestly, what would give any person - save the pro basketball cultists who worship any NBA game - the ..."
Warriors' crowd has new flavor in Curry
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October 29
Contra Costa Times
 columnist Monte Poole
"THE LOUDEST and warmest and most achingly hopeful greeting was extended to the new guy, the one they were officially meeting for the first time. And this was only a moment after they dropped a mixed bouquet, boos with a sprinkling of cheers, at the feet of the most loquacious Warrior, the one they know best. If opening night at Oracle Arena is any indication, Warriors fans are ready for change. No, they're eager for change. And change is coming, even if it began with a horrible loss to a team almost certain to finish with more losses than wins. Oracle Arena rocked with anticipation Wednesday night, and the sellout crowd (19,596) was rewarded with a Warriors effort that was by turns scrappy ..."
Curry OK, Warriors not
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October 29
Contra Costa Times
 columnist Cam Inman
"STEPH CURRY EARNED positive reviews after his NBA debut. As for the Warriors overall in their season opener, not so much. There was a dreary vibe in a soldout Oracle Arena from the outset, and that probably had something to do with the boos Stephen Jackson drew during pre-game introductions as a result of his still-standing trade request. In the end, the Warriors slinked away with a 108-107 defeat to the Houston Rockets, leaving Don Nelson's magic number at 24 (for wins needed to become the NBA's all-time winningest coach). That the Warriors had a shot at tying the game in the final seconds proved once again they can put forth an entertaining product no matter the inner turmoil that ..."
Bay Bridge shutdown also a headache for Rockets
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October 29
Houston Chronicle
 
"For all the challenges the Rockets knew they would face, just getting to the game was not supposed to be among them. On Tuesday, however, a cable snapped on the Bay Bridge, shutting down the bridge in both directions and sending the Rockets scrambling on Wednesday for a way to get from their hotel in San Francisco to Oracle Arena in Oakland. "This is the first ferry I've taken," Rockets coach Rick Adelman, who NBA tenure goes back long before charter flights. "But you know, it wasn't bad. It was a beautiful day, nice weather. The only difference I could see was we left earlier. It worked out really good." Rockets players said they were noticed by the workday commuters, but there were no ..."
Warriors' quest for improvement hinges on defense
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October 28
Contra Costa Times
 
"The endless predictions for the NBA season have been documented. The Warriors are pegged to miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season, and for the 15th time in the past 16 seasons. But are the Warriors poised to be a Cinderella team? Do they have it in them to beat the expectations and surprise their naysayers? Their chances of making the postseason will hinge on whether all that preseason talk about defense was more than just talk. "Defense has been a big problem for us," swingman Stephen Jackson said. "I can't guard everybody. We've got five guys on the court, and everybody has to do their part. Our defense has to get better for us to even think about having a great year." ..."
Team is going big for openers
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October 28
Contra Costa Times
 
"Warriors coach Don Nelson did all he could to keep the starting lineup to himself. "I'd rather you go to the game and see who's starting. Is that OK?" Nelson said. "There are 15 guys on the team ... five of them will start." He succeeded. His players didn't. Clue No. 1: "I feel better knowing our two big guys are starting," swingman Stephen Jackson said. Clue No. 2: "I'm coming off the bench," second-year forward Anthony Randolph said. So, it's obvious big man Ronny Turiaf will start in tonight's opener against the Houston Rockets. He usually backs up starting center Andris Biedrins, and Nelson had said small forward Corey Maggette would start at power forward. But it seems Nelson wants ..."
Monta's the man ... but does he want that status?
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October 28
Contra Costa Times
 columnist Monte Poole
"THE WARRIORS open shop tonight chin deep in troubling issues and fascinating subplots, among them the saga of the crusty old coach with one eye on his legacy and the other on a hammock in Maui. At the center of another intriguing subplot, though, is Monta Ellis, the 24-year-old guard who takes the Oracle Arena floor tonight against Houston as Warriors team captain and designated face of the franchise. Never mind that Monta is, at least for now, trying mightily to suppress his sweeping displeasure with serial dysfunction at the organization's highest levels. Ellis is the pivotal player on this team, and he knows it. He'll have the ball often, he'll shoot it often and, more to the point, he ..."
Whither way Warriors
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October 27
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"That observation came most recently during the Warriors' practice Sunday, but it could have been published after most any session during training camp. Nelson, 69, is charged with invigorating a roster that many have and will describe as a collection of malcontents, unproven 20-year-olds and misfits. And yet it's Nelson who seems most invigorated. He's taking a more hands-on approach, has been more active in teaching and is starting to shut out the media. "I see the same things," general manager Larry Riley said. "It's not that he was tired before, but when he's active and motivated, it's because he sees something he likes in the team and he thinks he can mold that group." Asked about ..."
Nelson works on some big plans for lineup
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October 27
Contra Costa Times
 
"The estimated 4,000 in attendance for Monday's open-to-the-public practice at Oracle Arena got a preview of a rotation Warriors fans might see often this season. Big man Ronny Turiaf played power forward for long stints with Blue Team, which is usually the starting lineup. Coach Don Nelson still may start forward Corey Maggette, whom Nelson said he would lean on because of the team's inexperience at the position. But Nelson said to expect to see Turiaf on the floor with starting center Andris Biedrins. "We like that lineup actually," Nelson said. "And you'll see that, the big lineup." Nelson started Turiaf next to Biedrins against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 20 in Ontario. But shortly ..."
Will Maggette get durable as he gets older?
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October 26
San Francisco Chronicle
 
""At 29, I'm one of the oldest guys on the team, so it's kind of like I'm 45," Maggette said. He took that as a wake-up call, something that positively affected his offseason work ethic, his mentality and his game. Maggette had offseason wrist surgery, got adequate rest for a bothersome hamstring and started training and eating differently. He came into training camp in tremendous shape and poised to put up terrific numbers. "He came in looking like the Incredible Hulk," Stephen Jackson said. And he's been playing like somewhat of a superhero. He'll start the Warriors' season-opener against Houston on Wednesday, partly because power forward Anthony Randolph is banged up with a sore back and ..."
Warriors are great at providing drama
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October 25
Sacramento Bee
 columnist Ailene Voisin
"Eventually, they'll get around to playing basketball. Don Nelson will surpass Lenny Wilkens as the all-time leader in NBA coaching victories. Andris Biedrins will swallow his healthy allotment of rebounds. Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis will entertain with spectacular plays. Last year's rookie, Anthony Randolph, will impress. This year's rookie will prove that he's more than a pretty baby face. Now, for the darker side of the Golden State Warriors. There will be injuries, feuds and trade demands. There will be confusion and internal discord. There will be drama, perhaps another suspension. The Warriors can't help themselves. You can clean them up and wipe away some of the latest ..."
Curry to start in Warriors' backcourt
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October 25
Contra Costa Times
 
"Stephen Curry will start alongside Monta Ellis in the Warriors' backcourt for the season-opener on Wednesday night against the Houston Rockets. And Don Nelson believes he has an idea on how to minimize any matchup problems the two 6-foot-3 guards may encounter. The Warriors began to install their zone defense during Saturday's 2?1/2 hour practice and will continue to work on it before opening night. If teams are taking advantage of the small guard lineup, as Houston will likely try to do if they start 6-8 Trevor Ariza at shooting guard, then Golden State may switch to a zone on the fly and force opponents to make shots from the outside. "We have to shoot the ball, we've got to be fast, ..."
Nelson pairs Curry with Ellis at guard
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October 25
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Forget defensive mismatches for the time being. Coach Don Nelson said Saturday he believes a Stephen Curry-Monta Ellis backcourt gives the Warriors the best chance to win, so the rookie will be the starting point guard opening night against Houston. The Rockets will most likely start 6-foot-8 wings Shane Battier and Trevor Ariza, meaning one of the Warriors' 6-3 guards will be taking on a bigger opponent. "We'll see," Nelson said. "We've got to shoot the ball well, and we've got to be fast and run. If we do those things, it will be a match-up problem for the other team, too. If we don't, we'll be at a disadvantage." Curry will probably guard Aaron Brooks, but he said he'd take a shot at ..."
Warriors' Randolph expects stay on bench to be a short one
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October 24
Oakland Tribune
 
"Warriors coach Don Nelson has said he's going to start veteran forward Corey Maggette at power forward. Is that a demotion for second-year forward Anthony Randolph? All sides are saying no. Nelson said he was probably going to start Maggette anyway, as he tries to create a viable second unit. Randolph said he would be back in the starting lineup once his back is healthy. Guard Monta Ellis said it will all be figured out over the next couple of days. The only consensus is that Randolph hasn't been playing like Randolph. "He knows how he needs to play," Nelson said. "He did that the first two or three games, then he kinda got away from it. I don't know if it was injuries or what, but he ..."
Blip on national radar - that can't be good
Comment
October 24
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Ray Rotto
"An interesting sidebar to the Stephen Jackson story is the fact that for the first time in two years and the third time in 12 years, the nation's basketball tastemakers have noticed the Warriors. As you might guess, that isn't good. And as you might have further guessed, they got bored and stopped. Since Jackson asked for a trade on the heels of signing a three-year extension he didn't need and shouldn't have been offered, the bizarre cavalcade of events has been too weird even for the rest of the country to ignore. Because the Warriors have been so perfectly ignorable for so long, this is an interesting development. The last time the Warriors were a national story, they defied logic and ..."
Warriors want shot in the arm
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October 23
Contra Costa Times
 
"Warriors coach Don Nelson regularly raves about rookie Stephen Curry. Nelson said he's a better defender and tougher than he thought, and he loves how he passes and sees the floor. But Curry's outside shot, that is causing some concern for Nelson. "All the concerns I had have been eliminated," Nelson said, "and the one thing that I didn't worry at all about was the shooting stroke. So he hasn't been able to shoot the ball. But he's one of the best shooters in college basketball for as long as he played at Davidson. We assume that's just going to come around." The Warriors had four guys sit out Thursday's 126-92 exhibition victory over the New Orleans Hornets because of injury or illness, ..."
Curry shines in win over Hornets
Comment
October 23
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Most of Thursday night's pregame discussion was about Stephen Curry's surprising shooting woes. Most of the postgame talk was about the rookie's best professional game to date. Mired in a preseason-long shooting slump, Curry broke out a little with his jumper and a lot with everything else in the Warriors' 126-92 win over New Orleans at Oracle Arena. He had 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting, 10 assists, six rebounds and six steals. "I thought the difference in the game was Curry," coach Don Nelson said. "When we inserted him into the game, we immediately started moving the ball better, pushing the ball better and doing all of the things I've been wanting us to do. "The little guy is good, and ..."
Warriors picture grows more puzzling
Comment
October 22
Contra Costa Times
 columnist Tim Kawakami
"When you're following this ragged franchise, every day feels like a new brainteaser, doesn't it? A quick and bleary update from Wednesday's hectic Warriors hot line: Future franchise player Anthony Randolph might be out for a while because of a sore tailbone and some sort of knee issue. Infamous former captain Stephen Jackson has a sore hamstring and missed practice. And C.J. Watson is tentatively slated to start tonight's exhibition finale and Wednesday's season opener, but Stephen Curry and Anthony Morrow are not. That means Don Nelson's re-juggled starting lineup is Andris Biedrins at center, Corey Maggette at power forward, Jackson at small forward (if he's healthy), and Monta Ellis ..."
Randolph and Jackson sidelined, Watson is officially ahead of Curry (for now)
Comment
October 22
San Jose Mercury News
 
"This wasn't a good day to try to get a big-picture read on the Warriors' upcoming season (though that's why I went–to write a column for tomorrow's paper). Oh well. There was too much happening, not a ton of it calming for the Warriors or their fans. Don Nelson was back with the team after spending time in Southern California with his brother-in-law, who was in a serious motorcycle accident recently. But… * Anthony Randolph was not at practice after bruising his tailbone again and also possibly with some knee issues, Nelson said. Randolph has been banged up for weeks and might need some time off, Nelson said, which could extend to and beyond Wednesday's regular-season opener."