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[h1]Nelson backs off on Ellis[/h1] [h2]Coach to let guard do his thing - score big points[/h2]
Janny Hu, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
(11-27) 21:17 PST Oakland -- So much for Don Nelson being stubborn and unyielding in his quest tomake Monta Ellis a point guard. After watching the 22-year-old match his career high in points in consecutive games, Nelson is unclenching his ironfist.
"He's a scorer and I have to understand that," the Warriors' coach said after Tuesday's lightpractice. "I'm not going to make him John Stockton or something like that. He has to be who he is, and we want to always enhance his skill, which isthe jump shot, quickness and rest of it."
Ellis has had his full repertoire on display the last two games, dropping 31 points against both the Sixers and Sunsin a three-night span. His blistering of Phoenix has become a regular event, and Monday's point-per-minute outing included 15 straight Warriors points inthe fourth quarter.
Most of those came on pull-up jumpers over Steve Nash and Shawn Marion, and each successive swish further buried thememories of his slow-starting season.
"When you have 30 back-to-back, you know that you're rolling," forward Al Harrington said. "He hasa confidence and a nice swagger going, and hopefully, he can keep it going."
Ellis, now the Warriors' third-leading scorer at 15.8 points per game, credits his turnaround to slowing things.He admittedly forced shots early in the season, but he is more apt these days to take what the defense gives him. On Monday, that meant running thescreen-and-roll with Baron Davis again and again.
"Letting the game come at me," Ellis said, "more so than me trying to go out and getit."
Tonight's game brings Ellis face-to-face with Kings guard Kevin Martin, whom Ellis edged for the NBA's MostImproved Player award last season. Martin is having an outstanding start to 2007-08, averaging a career-best 24.1 points per game after signing a five-year,$55 million contract extension in the offseason.
Ellis is hoping his big payday will come this summer. He will be a restricted free agent at season's end, andbecause the Warriors own his "Bird rights," they have the ability to match any offer Ellis receives without regard to their salary cap.
"Obviously, he's on display at all times," Harrington said. "But the more he plays like that, themore we're going to win."
And the more Nelson will be willing to let Ellis do his thing. Ellis was essentially demoted to being theWarriors' backup point guard when Nelson penciled in rookie Marco Belinelli as Jason Richardson's replacement before training camp.
When Belinelli faltered early, Kelenna Azubuike won the starting shooting-guard spot. And with the Warriors'other ballhandlers - Stephen Jackson, Matt Barnes and Troy Hudson - all missing time for various reasons, Ellis had no choice but to remain Davis'backup.
His turnover-filled exhibition showings didn't help, and neither did his slow start to the regular season. Ellisfound his shooting touch during the Warriors' recently completed East Coast road trip, and the return of Jackson and Barnes has allowed Ellis to playalongside and feed off Davis.
Ellis made his fourth start of the season against the Suns, and more could be on the way.
"I'm happy with him," Nelson said. "He's got the perfect running mate in Baron. If he'sgoing to be a combo guard, then he needs to have a strong guy who can handle and run the team alongside of him.
"It's the perfect team, really, for him."
Briefly: Barnes' mother, Ann, succumbed to her fight with cancer early Tuesday morning. TheSacramento native, who returned home following his stirring performance against the Suns, also sprained his left ankle late in the game to further cloud hisstatus for tonight. Said Davis: "He's a tough dude. He's like the soul of our team. He's the hunger, the grit, dude who makes usfearless." ... Jackson (sprained big toe), Davis and Azubuike also were hobbling in the postgame locker room, but Davis and Harrington believed the nickswere minor. "You know how they do it," Harrington joked. "It's for show so they look like the tough guys during the game - they played withthis and that and look what they did." ... Backup point guard Troy Hudson (sore hip/groin) also could be available after scrimmaging for the first timeTuesday.
Janny Hu, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
(11-27) 21:17 PST Oakland -- So much for Don Nelson being stubborn and unyielding in his quest tomake Monta Ellis a point guard. After watching the 22-year-old match his career high in points in consecutive games, Nelson is unclenching his ironfist.
"He's a scorer and I have to understand that," the Warriors' coach said after Tuesday's lightpractice. "I'm not going to make him John Stockton or something like that. He has to be who he is, and we want to always enhance his skill, which isthe jump shot, quickness and rest of it."
Ellis has had his full repertoire on display the last two games, dropping 31 points against both the Sixers and Sunsin a three-night span. His blistering of Phoenix has become a regular event, and Monday's point-per-minute outing included 15 straight Warriors points inthe fourth quarter.
Most of those came on pull-up jumpers over Steve Nash and Shawn Marion, and each successive swish further buried thememories of his slow-starting season.
"When you have 30 back-to-back, you know that you're rolling," forward Al Harrington said. "He hasa confidence and a nice swagger going, and hopefully, he can keep it going."
Ellis, now the Warriors' third-leading scorer at 15.8 points per game, credits his turnaround to slowing things.He admittedly forced shots early in the season, but he is more apt these days to take what the defense gives him. On Monday, that meant running thescreen-and-roll with Baron Davis again and again.
"Letting the game come at me," Ellis said, "more so than me trying to go out and getit."
Tonight's game brings Ellis face-to-face with Kings guard Kevin Martin, whom Ellis edged for the NBA's MostImproved Player award last season. Martin is having an outstanding start to 2007-08, averaging a career-best 24.1 points per game after signing a five-year,$55 million contract extension in the offseason.
Ellis is hoping his big payday will come this summer. He will be a restricted free agent at season's end, andbecause the Warriors own his "Bird rights," they have the ability to match any offer Ellis receives without regard to their salary cap.
"Obviously, he's on display at all times," Harrington said. "But the more he plays like that, themore we're going to win."
And the more Nelson will be willing to let Ellis do his thing. Ellis was essentially demoted to being theWarriors' backup point guard when Nelson penciled in rookie Marco Belinelli as Jason Richardson's replacement before training camp.
When Belinelli faltered early, Kelenna Azubuike won the starting shooting-guard spot. And with the Warriors'other ballhandlers - Stephen Jackson, Matt Barnes and Troy Hudson - all missing time for various reasons, Ellis had no choice but to remain Davis'backup.
His turnover-filled exhibition showings didn't help, and neither did his slow start to the regular season. Ellisfound his shooting touch during the Warriors' recently completed East Coast road trip, and the return of Jackson and Barnes has allowed Ellis to playalongside and feed off Davis.
Ellis made his fourth start of the season against the Suns, and more could be on the way.
"I'm happy with him," Nelson said. "He's got the perfect running mate in Baron. If he'sgoing to be a combo guard, then he needs to have a strong guy who can handle and run the team alongside of him.
"It's the perfect team, really, for him."
Briefly: Barnes' mother, Ann, succumbed to her fight with cancer early Tuesday morning. TheSacramento native, who returned home following his stirring performance against the Suns, also sprained his left ankle late in the game to further cloud hisstatus for tonight. Said Davis: "He's a tough dude. He's like the soul of our team. He's the hunger, the grit, dude who makes usfearless." ... Jackson (sprained big toe), Davis and Azubuike also were hobbling in the postgame locker room, but Davis and Harrington believed the nickswere minor. "You know how they do it," Harrington joked. "It's for show so they look like the tough guys during the game - they played withthis and that and look what they did." ... Backup point guard Troy Hudson (sore hip/groin) also could be available after scrimmaging for the first timeTuesday.
