Monta Ellis News: Pro Sports Daily

Comment

November 20

Contra Costa Times

"One glaring difference stands out when watching Warriors basketball sans swingman Stephen Jackson, who was traded to Charlotte on Monday. "Ball movement is a lot better," Warriors guard Anthony Morrow said. "We've got to keep moving the ball like we've been doing. Our whole team right now, it's just beautiful. We're playing really well right now as a team. I'm really proud of my team." One positive out of the team's recent 1-4 stretch is better ball movement. Improved distribution offers a glimmer of hope in the upcoming stretch of games against Portland (today, 7:30 p.m.), Dallas, San Antonio and the Los Angeles Lakers. Down to seven or eight players thanks to injuries, the Warriors ..."

Rondo ignites surge past feisty young Warriors

Comment

November 19

Boston Herald

"Golden State has one asset that could give the Celtics heartburn whenever they face a similar team this season. Young legs haven't done in the C's for the last time this year, and throughout last night's first half the Warriors hung tight like the Pacers, Hawks and Suns before them. But young legs without experience or size aren't going to last long against a team of aging championship timber. The Celtics, after taking control of this game in the third quarter, flexed enough muscle to snap a two-game losing streak with a 109-95 victory. But don't be fooled by the 14-point margin. The Celtics initially labored to match Golden State's energy. "Really hard to say," Ray Allen said of the ..."

Warriors inspired in Boston defeat

Comment

November 19

Oakland Tribune

"Warriors guard Raja Bell said he didn't intend for it to be a moving gesture. His goal wasn't to inspire or plant a subliminal message in the hearts of his new teammates. But that's exactly what he did in the Warriors' 109-95 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. Bell, who was acquired Monday in the Stephen Jackson trade, stunned his teammates and coaches by playing Wednesday, one day after he announced he was having potentially season-ending surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist. He scored 11 points in 23 minutes off the bench. He made 4 of 6 shots, including three 3-pointers, and had three assists. It turned out to be a one-game trial to see if his wrist would pass the ..."

Warriors fall to Cavs; Is Ellis on way out?

Comment

November 18

San Francisco Chronicle

"On Day 1 of the post-Stephen Jackson era, the Warriors found a way to replace their top soap-operatic story line as rumors swirled before Tuesday's 114-108 loss to Cleveland that the team is shopping Monta Ellis. According to unnamed sources in multiple reports, Ellis could be the next disgruntled player to get traded by Golden State. Coach Don Nelson denied a similar report last week, and general manager Larry Riley on Tuesday said that the reports were "making too much" of a potential meeting with Ellis' agent, Jeff Fried. Riley, however, wouldn't completely dismiss the trade rumors, saying "I don't have any trades working right now, but who is to say what might happen down the road?" ..."

Ellis/Warriors situation set to hit full boil at Thursday meeting: Trade inevitable?

Comment

November 17

San Jose Mercury News

"Multiple NBA sources have confirmed that Monta Ellis' status with the Warriors could be determined Thursday, when his agent is scheduled to meet with team management in Oakland. Several sources indicate that Ellis' agent, Jeff Fried, already has discussed the possibility of the Warrriors giving Fried and Ellis permission to talk to other teams to quicken the pace of trade talks. The Thursday meeting could formalize those general discussions. One source said that Fried tacitly has been given the go-ahead to try to come up with a trade, but that team president Robert Rowell may not yet have officially signed off on it. (Al Harrington was given similar permission last year. It's believed ..."

Nelson, Ellis trade words after practice

Comment

November 13

San Francisco Chronicle

"Warriors coach Don Nelson and Monta Ellis had a public spat after Thursday's practice, an episode that acts as a microcosm of the dysfunctional team and may represent a bigger problem with the franchise and its best player. Most Warriors players started the season by parroting the message of "getting on the same page." The rosterwide line now appears to be "things can't any get worse," but they're testing that sentiment. Already, Stephen Jackson is making it increasingly clear that he wants out of Oakland. Anthony Randolph is questioning his playing time, and Ellis and rookie Stephen Curry are struggling to find much cohesion. Now this: As the players cooled down from a practice at the ..."

Nelson pairs Curry with Ellis at guard

Comment

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 ..."

Monta Ellis scores 24 points to lead Warriors past Lakers

Comment

October 10

Los Angeles Times

"The ghosts of Lakers past were surely in the building, ready to lend a helping hand in the Lakers' return to the Forum. Only one problem: The present-day players were haunted by Golden State point guard Monta Ellis. It was only an exhibition game, the second of the season for the Lakers, but the lightning-quick Ellis burned them for 24 points and eight assists in a 110-91 Warriors victory, putting a dent in the field trip to the place that housed six championship teams before a change of venue to Staples Center in 1999. Andrew Bynum had 19 points, but the Lakers were run off the court by one of the league's highest-scoring offenses. "Golden State was quicker than we were tonight, and it's ..."

Warriors ankle update: Ellis, Azubuike practice

Comment

October 9

San Francisco Chronicle

"Monta Ellis and Kelenna Azubuike both practiced Thursday, but their availability for tonight's preseason game against the Lakers is still uncertain. Ellis, who left Wednesday's loss with a sprained left ankle in the opening two minutes, practiced full tilt Thursday and is considered probable by the Warriors' staff. Azubuike, who missed Wednesday's game after spraining his left ankle two days earlier, will be a game-time decision, according to the Warriors. Also, Brandan Wright met with Dr. James Andrews in Florida on Thursday and is tentatively scheduled to undergo surgery on his dislocated left shoulder today."

One false step - Ellis hurts ankle in preseason loss

Comment

October 8

San Francisco Chronicle

"Two games into the Warriors' preseason schedule, Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry have not played together, but that wasn't necessarily a coaching decision in Wednesday's 118-101 loss to the Lakers at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Just 1:23 into the game, Ellis sprained his left ankle after he missed a baseline jumper and stepped on a courtside photographer. Ellis limped down the court, hobbled to the bench and, eventually, went to the locker room. He did not return, and the Warriors are listing him as day-to-day with another game against the Lakers on Friday and an outdoor game against Phoenix on Saturday. It's the same ankle that cost Ellis 57 games last season. Kelenna Azubuike, the ..."

Curry gets Nelson's backing, Ellis Sprains Ankle

Comment

October 8

Contra Costa Times

"Warriors rookie guard Stephen Curry will be at least a part-time starter this season. Before Wednesday night's 118-101 exhibition loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at the Honda Center, Warriors coach Don Nelson said Curry will be used at times as the fifth starter and play alongside Monta Ellis. But that plan didn't work out too well against the Lakers when Ellis sprained his left ankle just over a minute into the game and did not return. Nelson didn't name Curry the permanent starter, saying he will go with someone bigger when an opponent has a shooting guard that is too big and dominant. "I think I'm going to — because the kid (Curry) is so good — leave that spot open and it will be a ..."

Ellis can't play with Curry; Jackson wants out

Comment

September 29

Contra Costa Times

columnist Tim Kawakami

"How many Warriors stalwarts does it take to screw up a media day? Two, it turns out: One to continue his credible campaign to get the heck out of town and one to scoff at the franchise's latest bit of strategic make believe. So much for all the positive vibes heading into the start of training camp today! Wait, the Warriors almost never have any. Time to start dumping popular players once again, apparently. You see, Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis weren't just making random observations about their positions in the Warriors' solar system. This was bigger than Jackson's refusal to back off of his trade request and Ellis flatly stating that he could not play alongside prized rookie Stephen ..."

Brats Ellis, Jackson rock boat

Comment

September 29

Contra Costa Times

columnist Cam Inman

"MONTA ELLIS and Stephen Jackson spoke Monday like two spoiled brats trying to run the Warriors franchise. Or trying to run away from it. Ellis brazenly said he can't coexist in the same backcourt with newly drafted point guard Stephen Curry. Minutes earlier, Jackson didn't back down from a recent trade request and proceeded to rip the franchise's direction. His ego also ran the fast break: "I'm made for the playoffs and championships. That's what I play for. I'm Big Shot Jack." Both players are out of line. They may be speaking the truth, but these so-called "big shots" came off so selfish that it paints another dark cloud over a futile franchise. Welcome to the Warriors, Stephen Curry. ..."

Ellis' status tops list of unresolved issues

Comment

March 10

San Francisco Chronicle

"Warriors coach Don Nelson was all about next season Monday, which is just as well considering how rickety things currently are. Not only were four players missing from practice for reasons excused and otherwise, but the return of Golden State's most important player was crammed with contradictions. Monta Ellis was indeed in Oakland, vowing to play against the Nets on Wednesday. But exactly what he's returning from remains as up for debate as Nelson's benching of Jamal Crawford. Two weeks ago, the Warriors announced that they were temporarily shutting Ellis down because of lingering stiffness in his surgically repaired ankle. On Monday, Ellis insisted the ankle was never an issue and still ..."

Ellis says absence had nothing to do with ankle

Comment

March 10

Contra Costa Times

"Warriors guard Monta Ellis rejoined the team Monday and defiantly insisted that his absence had nothing to do with his surgically repaired left ankle. Ellis, who missed the first 43 games of the season after injuring his ankle in a moped accident (and was subsequently suspended because of it), returned for 13 games before the Warriors announced he would have to take one to two weeks off because of stiffness. But Ellis said Monday that the only reason he left the team was to be with his ailing mother, Rosa. "There's nothing wrong with my ankle," Ellis said after Monday's practice. "I went to see my mom. My mom was sick. I went home to see her. That's why I took the time off. It had nothing ..."

Sources: Monta Ellis unhappy with the Warriors

Comment

March 6

Contra Costa Times

"Two certainties developed Thursday regarding guard Monta Ellis. First, he won't be joining the Warriors on this four-game road trip, which continues tonight against the Detroit Pistons. When Ellis first departed last Thursday for Mississippi to tend to a family matter, the team left open the possibility of him rejoining the Warriors at some point this week. The second certainty: Ellis will return to Oakland on Sunday, according to his agent, Jeff Fried, and will be ready to go when the Warriors take the court at Oracle Arena on Wednesday against New Jersey. Uncertainty, however, hangs over the reason for his departure. Some members of the organization, according to multiple team sources, ..."

Nelson surprised by shelving of Ellis

Comment

February 24

San Francisco Chronicle

"Count Warriors coach Don Nelson among those caught off-guard by the shelving of Monta Ellis, whom the coach believed had played his "best game" of the season prior to being shut down Sunday for at least a week. "I was a little surprised, but it's the second or third time the ankle has stiffened, so I understand being conservative," Nelson said Monday. Ellis had appeared in 13 games since getting the green light to return from offseason ankle surgery Jan. 23. He started all 13 games, averaging 33 minutes a night and twice playing more than 43. Now that Ellis is out again, is it hard for Nelson not to second-guess his guard's minutes? "I didn't have any rules to go by," Nelson said. "They ..."

Monta Ellis shelved with sore ankle

Comment

February 23

Contra Costa Times

"Warriors guard Monta Ellis will miss the next one to two weeks because of stiffness in his surgically repaired left ankle, the team announced Sunday. Ellis had started in each of the past 13 games, averaging 13.4 points on 39.8 percent shooting with 3.8 rebounds in 33.2 minutes. He missed the first 43 games of the season after tearing the deltoid ligament during an offseason moped accident. According to the release, Ellis experienced stiffness in Saturday night's win over Oklahoma City and has occasionally felt such stiffness since returning. A Warriors official said this was an expected side effect of his rehabilitation process. Ellis will continue "advanced rehabilitation" daily with ..."

Ellis needs more time for his ankle

Comment

February 23

San Francisco Chronicle

"Monta Ellis' bumpy return from ankle surgery has taken another twist. The Warriors announced Sunday that Ellis will be shut down for at least a week after experiencing more stiffness in his left ankle. Golden State's guard had played in 13 games since his season debut on Jan. 23, and was coming off one of his better outings - 14 points and a season-high five steals in Saturday's 133-120 win over the Thunder - before the decision to rest his ankle was made. "We've been pretty cautious with him all along and I think we'll proceed with that," assistant general manager Larry Riley said. "I'm not alarmed, but I think he needs some time. How much, I don't know." A break would allow Ellis to ..."

Ellis or Crawford: Who's the point guard?

Comment

January 30

Contra Costa Times

"Less than a minute into the game Wednesday, Warriors guard Jamal Crawford rebounded a missed 17-footer by Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd and pushed the ball the other way. But before he could weigh the options, before he could see if the Warriors had the advantage on the fast break, he dumped the ball practically behind him to guard Monta Ellis, who ran the break. Crawford's deferring gesture epitomized the adjustment period the Warriors' two combo guards are going through. Who is the point guard? Who is the shooting guard? Who runs the show? Who fills the wing? The answer, for now, is both. "(Wednesday), we were just feeling each other out," Crawford said after Thursday's practice at ..."

Warriors' Monta still mute

Comment

January 27

Contra Costa Times

columnist Cam Inman

"Warriors guard Monta Ellis once again was given a public platform to discuss last summer's accident that injured his left ankle, and like he did Friday night with my requests, he turned down an opportunity Monday night to come clean on KNBR 680-AM. "It's just an incident that happened," Ellis told drive-time hosts Ralph Barbieri and Tom Tolbert. "... I'll leave everything in the past." When Tolbert asked Monta if he wishes he at first told Warriors officials he got hurt on a moped rather than falsely claiming it was a training mishap, Ellis replied: "I wanted to do that." Tolbert asked if Ellis got bad advice from his agent or friends. Ellis shrugged that off and said: "It was a panic ..."

Lighter load for Ellis

Comment

January 26

San Francisco Chronicle

"Monta Ellis' second game back from injury didn't have quite the pizzazz of the first, which is just fine by coach Don Nelson. "I think Monta struggled a little bit with his shot, but we expect that to happen," Nelson said. Ellis finished with 10 points, three assists, three rebounds and three turnovers in 23 minutes against the Clippers, a much lighter playing load than his 34-minute season debut Friday. Though he air-balled a jump shot and went 4-for-11 from the field, he still recorded his first made jumper of the season - a rare three-pointer - in the first quarter. "My wind is coming back," Ellis said. "No pain, no swelling, no nothing. Everything is good right now.""

Ellis finally returns tonight

Comment

January 23

Contra Costa Times

"Tonight's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers is a doozy, but not because mega NBA star LeBron James is in town. King James' lone visit to the Bay Area this season is being trumped by Warriors guard Monta Ellis. The Warriors announced Thursday afternoon that Ellis will turn to action tonight, bringing the saga a step closer to conclusion. Should he indeed take the court tonight, the only remaining hole in this winding plot would be whether Ellis will return to dominant form. Ellis was unavailable for comment about his return, though he had continuously told the local media, "When that time comes, I'll let y'all know." The team made the announcement on its Web site after practice. Warriors ..."

With Ellis in limbo, how low can they go?

Comment

January 15

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Scott Ostler

"A night at the (soap) opera ... This is a playoff game for the Warriors. The actual playoffs, of course, are a pipe dream for the W's. But to build toward that future dream, they must open cans of whup-butt on teams like the Sacramento Kings. Not that there are many teams like the Kings. So there is pressure when you're a lower-tier team facing a lowest-tier team. The Kings are a measuring stick, or a limbo bar - how low can you go? Along with being not good, the Kings are not very entertaining. Going in, this game had dull written all over it. Three overtimes later, I will revise my opinion. Off the court, exciting times for the Warriors. They got good news from Monta Ellis on Tuesday, ..."

Ellis takes big step in recovery

Comment

January 14

San Francisco Chronicle

"Monta Ellis' first full practice of the season was distinguished by what he said as much as what he did. After trash talking through his most active workout yet, the rehabbing guard proceeded to trash any notions of being unhappy with the franchise he was re-signed to lead this past summer. "Listen, whatever it is about me leaving, wanting to go, I don't want to play for Nellie - that never came from my mouth," Ellis said Tuesday. "I don't know where they got that from, but I'm here for the next six years. I'm a Warrior. I'm going to always be a Warrior. Whoever put that out there did it because they wanted a story. "I'm making it known right now that I'm a Warrior," he continued. "I love ..."

Monta inches closer to return

Comment

January 14

Contra Costa Times

"Dribbling at the top of the key, Warriors guard Monta Ellis split a double team with a quick spin move, freeing himself for a pull-up jumper at the free-throw line. No, this didn't go down on the video game NBA Live '09. This was the real deal. Ellis got over another major hurdle Tuesday — he participated in a full practice for the first time since undergoing left ankle surgery in August. "Monta actually did the whole practice today, which probably I wasn't supposed to (allow)," coach Don Nelson said. "It kind of ended up that way." What does this mean? Ellis has only one obstacle remaining: game action. Last week, Ellis ran up and down the court with teammates. Tuesday, he participated in ..."

Injured Warrior Ellis closer to making return

Comment

January 8

Contra Costa Times

"Warriors guard Monta Ellis entered Oracle Arena and turned the heads of his assistant coaches with his suit-and-tie look, capped off with shiny black gators. "It's a new year," Ellis, who usually dons hip-hop attire, said through a laugh. Ellis' surgically repaired left ankle is closer to being like new. Warriors coach Don Nelson said before the game that Ellis was at "80-85 percent." Ellis put up shots for about 15 minutes after the Warriors' pregame warm-ups. Chris Mullin, executive vice president of basketball operations, and team president Robert Rowell sat on the bench together and watched. After effortlessly knocking down jumpers, Ellis visited team doctor John Belzer for a check-up. ..."

Monta holds the cards to Warriors' season

Comment

December 3

San Francisco Examiner

columnist Matt Steinmetz

"No doubt, things are looking pretty bleak for the Warriors these days. They've lost seven in a row - the longest losing streak in the Don Nelson Part II Era - and haven't looked good doing it. Their roster appears to be mismatched, with too many scorers and not enough ballhandlers, passers and rebounders. What's worse, the Warriors have several players locked up for the long-term, making the prospects of changing their roster more daunting.There is one sliver of hope, however, and even coach Don Nelson referred to it on Monday as the "wild card." That would be Monta Ellis. Ellis, of course, suffered a serious left ankle injury while riding a moped this summer, and hasn't played all season. ..."

Warriors' Ellis to have screws removed

Comment

November 14

San Francisco Chronicle

"Monta Ellis is scheduled to have the screws in his surgically repaired ankle removed Wednesday and should begin basketball-related activity in two weeks, according to the Warriors and Ellis' agent. The updated timeframe isn't a surprise to Ellis' teammates, who have been around the injured/suspended guard for the last month as he rehabilitates in San Ramon. "I've seen him moving like there's nothing wrong with him," Stephen Jackson said. "He's walking around without his crutches or anything, so hopefully, he'll heal fast. "One thing we don't want to do is come back (too soon) and have him out for the rest of the season. But I think at this point, he's way ahead of" schedule. Ellis tore ..."

Warriors move Ellis to suspended list, sign Kurz

Comment

November 3

NBA.com

"The Golden State Warriors signed forward Rob Kurz on Sunday night, transferring guard Monta Ellis to the suspended list to make room. Kurz averaged 4.5 points and 3.8 rebounds while appearing in four preseason games with Golden State. He also hit the winning 3-pointer at the buzzer in the Warriors' 109-108 exhibition victory over Milwaukee in Beijing, thrilling a Chinese crowd. Kurz was Golden State's final cut on Oct. 27, with Anthony Morrow beating out the undrafted rookie from Notre Dame for a roster spot. But the Warriors created another opening by moving Ellis, who's suspended without pay until early December after injuring his leg in a motorized scooter accident during the summer. ..."

Ellis planning to file appeal

Comment

October 28

San Francisco Chronicle

"Monta Ellis spoke out for the first time Monday since the Warriors suspended him 30 games for injuring his ankle in an offseason moped accident. "While management and I do not agree on their actions, I want to be clear that my injury is based on my mistake in judgment," Ellis said in a statement released by his agent, Jeff Fried. "And I always accept responsibility for my actions." What Ellis won't accept, evidently, is his punishment being left open-ended. He will file a grievance early next week addressing the Warriors' ability to punish him twice for the same offense. Team president Robert Rowell, in explaining his Oct. 11 decision to suspend Ellis, left room for more penalties - such ..."

Accident earns Ellis 30-game suspension

Comment

October 12

San Francisco Chronicle

"Monta Ellis broke the rules. Now the Warriors are making him pay. Team President Robert Rowell announced Saturday that Ellis will be suspended 30 games for violating the terms of his player contract when he injured himself in a moped mishap this summer. Ellis, who signed a six-year contract just weeks before the August accident, will lose roughly $3 million of his annual $11 million salary. "We made a commitment to Monta for $66 million to be a great basketball player," Rowell said. "We're in a situation where he is now not with us. We're going to do everything possible that we can, obviously, to get him back and to help him rehab and get back on the basketball floor, but right now we ..."

Ellis appears -- with foot in cast

Comment

September 30

Contra Costa Times

"Guess who showed up to training camp? Warriors guard Monta Ellis joined his team for the first time since severely injuring his left ankle last month. He even spoke with the media after the first practice session Monday. Ellis declined to comment about his potential punishment from the Warriors for being injured during a prohibited activity and then lying about it. He also wouldn't talk about anything involving how he injured himself and what he told the team. His agent, Jeff Fried, is scheduled to meet with Warriors management Oct. 8. At that point, Ellis said he would be able to explain himself. "We'll address it next week when my agent speaks with the team," Ellis told reporters. "I ..."

Ellis' New Set Of Wheels

Comment

September 30

San Francisco Chronicle

"Whatever trust or money or speed Monta Ellis stands to lose as a result of last month's moped misadventure, his confidence will not be among the casualties. "I'm still going to be the fastest guy in the NBA with the basketball after all this," a resolute Ellis said after his arrival in Oakland. The Warriors' franchise-player-turned-cautionary-tale joined his teammates three days into training camp Monday, riding a four-wheeled, scooter-like contraption that couldn't help but serve as a reminder of his offseason follies. As expected, Ellis said he was glad to be back with his teammates and looked forward to re-joining them on the court. The 22-year-old would not give any more insight into ..."

Warriors' Ellis can learn from his mistake

Comment

September 26

Contra Costa Times

columnist Gary Peterson

"In the upper echelon of the Warriors organization, the next chapter in the Torn Deltoid Ligament Heard 'Round the World is being planned like a royal wedding. "We continue to gather all of the pertinent facts and information in regards to the Monta Ellis situation," team president Robert Rowell said in a statement released Thursday. "We have scheduled a meeting with Monta's representatives to take place within the next 7-10 days, and upon conclusion we will have a public announcement regarding our decision." It won't be the kind of announcement that inspires one of the presidential candidates to suspend his campaign — well, probably not — but it is telling. In essence, the team is hedging ..."

Bad moves by Ellis, but Warriors shouldn't fine him

Comment

September 25

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Ray Ratto

"A moped. Monta Ellis put $66 million on a moped. Of course he did. Ellis blew up his ankle and will be lost to America's Favorite Ninth-Place Team for between two and four months, depending on whose diagnosis you believe. He did it while being what kids always believe themselves to be - bulletproof. And while we get that Ellis was precluded in his contract from riding a moped and didn't want to blow his deal completely, the lie and the subsequent delay in revealing that lie made the whole incident look sinister, as though the moped story itself might just be a lie too. We do, however, know this. The Warriors aren't going to do anything to Ellis unless they are as stupid as they are cheap. ..."

Warriors' Ellis was hurt in moped accident

Comment

September 25

San Francisco Chronicle

"Monta Ellis was riding a moped when he severely injured his left ankle last month in his native Jackson, Miss., sources close to the Warriors guard told The Chronicle on Wednesday. The 22-year-old tore a deltoid ligament in his ankle and sustained a high-ankle sprain in what one of the sources labeled a "low-speed" accident. Ellis underwent surgery Aug. 27 and is expected to be sidelined for at least another two months. The cause of Ellis' injury was unclear, even to Golden State officials, immediately after he hurt himself in late August. He initially told vice president Chris Mullin the injury occurred during a pickup basketball game, before coming clean about the moped mishap. The team ..."

Warriors mum on Ellis injury

Comment

September 9

San Francisco Chronicle

"Nearly two weeks after Warriors guard Monta Ellis had surgery on his left ankle, the mystery lingers as to how exactly he got hurt - and whether it will prompt the team to discipline him. Ellis initially told club officials he sustained the injury while working out in Mississippi - but the injury actually "happened outdoors and not while playing basketball," an unnamed team source told the Contra Costa Times over the weekend. The newspaper reported Ellis has informed Warriors officials how he really hurt his ankle, though its source did not reveal the details. The Warriors declined comment Monday, leaning again on last week's official statement, which read: "We are not going to comment ..."

Warriors' Ellis admits he lied about injury

Comment

September 6

Contra Costa Times

"The saga surrounding the left ankle of Warriors guard Monta Ellis has taken a step toward a conclusion. The Contra Costa Times has learned that Ellis has admitted to the Warriors that he wasn't truthful about how he hurt his ankle, and the two sides are in talks about how to put the situation behind them.According to a team source, the Warriors now know that Ellis' ankle injury _ which was repaired during surgery on Aug. 27 _ was not sustained "in a gym," and "it happened out doors and not while playing basketball."The source did not reveal what Ellis told Warriors management he was doing when he got hurt, only that he "was scared to tell the truth at first," but eventually did.At first, ..."

Cuts, abrasions lead some to question cause of Ellis' injury

Comment

September 3

ESPN.com

"Questions about how Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis sustained a serious ankle injury are only getting louder. Multiple league sources have told ESPN.com that Ellis had several cuts and abrasions on his leg -- atypical of an injury sustained on a basketball court -- in addition to the high ankle sprain and torn deltoid ligament he suffered on Aug. 21. The Contra Costa Times had earlier reported that the severity of the injury has the Warriors skeptical about the explanation they received from Ellis, who told the club he got hurt working out in his native Mississippi. Ellis has not spoken publicly since his injury was revealed Wednesday and his agent, Jeff Fried, declined comment ..."

Warriors can turn Ellis' bad luck into marketing gold

Comment

September 1

Contra Costa Times

columnist Gary Peterson

"Necessity is the mother of marketing masterstrokes. The Warriors have proven this in recent years with their ground-breaking campaigns A Good Time Out, Grand Theft Lottery and Guess Which Former Portland Coach We Just Hired. They are topping themselves as we speak. Behold CSI: GSW. As first reported in the publication you now hold in your hands, the team believes guard Monta Ellis has been less than forthcoming regarding his recent ankle injury. Ellis, who tore a ligament and suffered a high ankle sprain, had surgery last Thursday. If all goes well, he could be playing again by the end of the calendar year. Ellis told the Warriors he was hurt during a basketball-related activity. The ..."

Warriors have questions on Ellis' injury

Comment

August 30

Oakland Tribune

"If you think the details of Warriors guard Monta Ellis' ankle injury are sketchy, the Warriors agree with you. According to team sources, the Warriors have questions about the explanation Ellis gave them regarding how he sustained the injury. The team has launched an investigation, dispatching athletic trainer Tom Abdenour to Jackson, Miss., to take a look at Ellis. Ellis informed the Warriors last Thursday that he had injured his left ankle working out in Jackson. He had surgery on Wednesday in Alabama to repair a torn deltoid ligament in his left ankle. He also sustained a severe high ankle sprain and disruption of ligaments above the ankle joint. He is expected to miss a minimum of ..."

Warriors' Ellis out three months

Comment

August 28

Contra Costa Times

"The Warriors have now lost two starting point guards this summer. First Baron Davis opted out of his contract and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. Now, Monta Ellis, Davis' replacement, has been lost to injury for a minimum of three months. Ellis, who signed a six-year, $66 million contract extension last month, had surgery Wednesday to repair a torn ligament in his left ankle, the Warriors confirmed. He hurt his ankle working out in his hometown, Jackson, Miss. The initial hope was that it was a high ankle sprain when Ellis, 22, informed the team late last week. But the diagnosis turned out more severe. "This is obviously a temporary setback for our team, but fortunately it is not ..."

Warriors coping with loss of Ellis

Comment

August 28

Contra Costa Times

"According to a release put out by the Warriors on Wednesday, Ellis sustained a Grade 3 high ankle sprain, a torn deltoid ligament and disruption of the ankle syndesmosis (ligaments above the ankle joint). The release said the surgery was successfully performed Wednesday by Dr. Angus McBride of the Andrew Sports Medicine"

Warriors feel Ellis is up to challenge of taking over as point guard

Comment

August 19

Contra Costa Times

"Monta Ellis is a walking contradiction, an oxymoron in the flesh. His game is explosive and captivating, yet his demeanor is tranquil and reserved. His build is slight, fragile looking. Yet he's proved tough and durable. But there is something more curious yet about Ellis, who faces his biggest challenge this coming season in replacing Baron Davis as the Warriors' starting point guard. He has natural abilities most basketball players dream about, but he also has an incredible work ethic. "Monta is quietly confident, and it comes from getting his work done and not talking about it," said Warriors executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin, who drafted Ellis No. 40 ..."

Ellis comfortable with new wealth, responsibility

Comment

July 30

Contra Costa Times

"Monta Ellis sat with his chin up and posture straight, his white T-shirt giving all the attention to his beaming smile. He looked like the face of the franchise. He saluted his predecessor, point guard Baron Davis, embraced his increased responsibility and spoke with an obvious confidence. He sounded like the face of the franchise. Ellis gave his first public interview since signing a six-year, $66 million contract with the Warriors last week, and he was hardly the shy kid they drafted in 2005 out of Lanier High School in Jackson, Miss. He seemed comfortable in his first appearance as the franchise's premier player. Still, hold off on crowning him king, he requests. "I have to do more, but ..."

With Davis gone, Ellis is the face of the franchise

Comment

July 30

San Francisco Chronicle

"Warriors guard Monta Ellis provided a variety of camera-ready facial expressions but insisted he's not the new face of the franchise Tuesday in his first public statements since signing a lucrative deal five days earlier. Ellis, a 6-foot-3, 177-pound fourth-year player, signed a six-year, $67 million deal Thursday. Whether he likes it or not, he's the highest-paid and most-featured player on the Golden State roster since Baron Davis bolted for the Los Angeles Clippers. Still, Ellis spent the majority of a 13-minute news conference juking eight variations of a question about being "the man," offering dramatic pauses and playing with verbiage. Here's a look at the ways he handled his ..."

Now that Ellis is the Man, how will he handle it?

Comment

July 25

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Ray Ratto

"Monta Ellis' signing by the Warriors to be Baron II is no surprise. He had no other offers, the Warriors had no alternatives, the Greeks hadn't settled on a playmate for Josh Childress - why, it was a marriage made in heaven, if heaven is defined as a fait accompli. But as the new face of the franchise, Ellis is about to find out how much his narrow shoulders can bear, and then what three times that weighs. This, boys, girls and undecideds, is about to get very interesting. Ellis' career has been made in large part by drafting behind bigger cars - Davis, Stephen Jackson, Don Nelson, even Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy. He has been the youngest child, the one everyone finds irresistibly ..."