Quote:
Looks like Nelsons ready to play Brandan Wright (maybe just a little)
By Tim Kawakami
Monday, November 5th, 2007 at 5:02 pm in Warriors, NBA.
Quick shot from Warriors practice, quickly, before I write my column for tomorrows paper:
Had to notice that Brandan Wright was running with the Blue (first) team at the end of practice today (subbing in and out for Al Harrington, it looked like).
Wright looked pretty spritelytossing up runners, racing ahead of Blue teammate Baron Davis on the fastbreak, going up to block shots at the rim.
Wright hasnt seen a second of NBA action yet, thanks to Don Nelsons non-love of rookie big men and Wrights recent back soreness, so it was interesting to see the No. 8 overall pick running with Baron, Kelenna Azubuike, Stephen Jackson and Andris Biedrins.
And afterward, I asked Wright about it.
Question 1: Is this the first time youve played on the Blue squad in full-court scrimmaging?
Wright: First time in a long time.
Question 2: Could it mean something about your role?
Wright: Could mean something. I dont know.
And there you go, just as you demand, hard-hitting journalism straight from the court! Incredible revelations! Breaking news!
OK, who knows, but everything seems to point towards Wright making his NBA debut tomorrow against Cleveland, which is a good enough match-up for him.
Of course, I also asked Nelson about Wright (and Stephane Lasme), and Nelson said he wouldve played Wright at some point in the first three games, all losses, if Wright had been healthy enough to practice.
Well, Wrights healthy enough to practice now. I saw it with my own bleary eyes.
So. Though Nellie was in a very non-revealing mood today, he seemed to suggest that Wright was moving towards game action.
He definitely has something, Nelson said. You can tell hes going to be a really good player. But probably wont be productive until he gets a little bit older. Hes definitely got something.
Particularly with the team so lacking in above-the-rim play right now, wouldnt it be good just to see a young body buzz around the lane?
I think hes got more to offer, Nelson said. Thats what I like about he and (Marco) Belinellithey are basketball players. They see the game and they can make a play and a pass. Theres a good understanding there and thats why I think theyre going to be really good players some day.
My opinion: Its always good to get talented young players onto the floor as soon as possible, so you can tell if theyre actually any good, and I think Wright is going to be very good.
Just watching him go up and down the floor today, I cant think of another Warrior forward that big and with that agilityyeah, hes skinny, but Wright can do some things. I think.
Plus, with Jackson still out for four more games, and Matt Barnes in a understandable funk, the Warriors desperately need some length and activity on the floor at the forward spotwhy not Wright?
I think itll happen tonight and if he doesnt screw up (against Drew Gooden, not that big of a deal either way), Wright could be playing a little more every game.
Zero Tolerance
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORSAzubuike - Barnes - Belinelli - Biedrins - Croshere - Davis - EllisHarrington - Hudson - Jackson - Lasme - O'Bryant - Perovic - Pietrus - Wright
