Nelson Shows a Soft Touch

Discussion in 'Golden State Warriors' started by Shapecity, Oct 23, 2006.

  1. Shapecity

    Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Warriors forward Mike Dunleavy got off one of the best lines during the team's media day earlier this month when he described new coach Don Nelson's philosophy as one of "his way or the 880 highway."

    As it's turned out, however, you must hearken back to Teddy Roosevelt to find a truly appropriate motto for the 66-year-old: "Speak softly and carry a big stick."

    While Dunleavy's perception about Nelson wanting things done in a certain way is quite accurate, the coach's method of reinforcing those details has been less explosive than one might expect.

    Put more simply: Where's all that wild-eyed screeching that's supposed to go along with a hard-nosed coach?

    "He's not a yeller," assistant coach Larry Riley said. "He has his way of getting his points across and making sure they understand that he's serious about the things he's talking about without yelling."

    It's still early, but at this point, the Warriors seem to be adjusting well to the ways of Nelson -- even if they're not totally there yet.

    "We don't know him that much, so when he says (stuff) to us, it's like, 'What's going on? Should I laugh?'" center Adonal Foyle said. "I think guys in the NBA, once they understand (a coach), they can deal. I call it 'the mating period.' You're still trying to figure out what the hell is going on a little bit."

    One way Nelson gets his point across without being overbearing is his system of small monetary fines. Players can lose $10 or $20 for not hitting enough free throws in practice or stepping on the out-of-bounds line.

    The system allows Nelson to call attention to a problem without making a federal case out of it, and to make a point to every player, not just the one who committed the infraction.

    "It definitely softens the blow," Warriors forward Ike Diogu said. "You can joke around and have a little fun with it, but at the same time, you're also very conscious of it."

    "There's no question that if he's speaking to one player, the whole team needs to be listening, and I think these guys have already figured that out," Riley said.

    Nelson also plays no favorites, which means his criticism should carry more weight, since a player can't write it off to simply being the coach's favorite target.

    "Everyone's going to get it," said Warriors executive vice president Chris Mullin, who spent 61/2 years playing for Nelson.</div>

    Source
     
  2. Warriorfansnc93

    Warriorfansnc93 JBB JustBBall Member

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    It feels great to finally have a REAL coach again. Of course, I liked Muss too...
     
  3. Doctor Kajita

    Doctor Kajita Active Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Warriorfansnc93 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It feels great to finally have a REAL coach again. Of course, I liked Muss too...</div>

    Yes, but Muss was a belligerent drunk most of the time. [​IMG]
     
  4. AnimeFANatic

    AnimeFANatic JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Kensaku Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yes, but Muss was a belligerent drunk most of the time. [​IMG]</div>

    A driving belligerent drunk...
     
  5. Custodianrules2

    Custodianrules2 Cohan + Rowell = Suck

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    When was Muss a drunk except for that one night after he became a King? Now... Mullin... there was a drunk Warriors guy. Probably affected his GM-ing brain cells 15 or so years later to this very day. Probably got hammered before he signed Dunleavy and Foyle and Fisher [​IMG]
     
  6. AnimeFANatic

    AnimeFANatic JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Now... Mullin... there was a drunk Warriors guy. Probably affected his GM-ing brain cells 15 or so years later to this very day. Probably got hammered before he signed Dunleavy and Foyle and Fisher [​IMG]</div>

    Maybe thats why he brought in Nelson, to help him quit the alcohol so that he wouldn't do another outrageous signing. [​IMG]
     
  7. Warriorfansnc93

    Warriorfansnc93 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe thats why he brought in Nelson, to help him quit the alcohol so that he wouldn't do another outrageous signing. [​IMG]</div>

    Nice sig...[​IMG]
     
  8. Doctor Kajita

    Doctor Kajita Active Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">When was Muss a drunk except for that one night after he became a King? Now... Mullin... there was a drunk Warriors guy. Probably affected his GM-ing brain cells 15 or so years later to this very day. Probably got hammered before he signed Dunleavy and Foyle and Fisher [​IMG]</div>

    [​IMG]

    Okay, okay. Let's lay off Muss. He's a stand-up guy (so it seems).
     
  9. Custodianrules2

    Custodianrules2 Cohan + Rowell = Suck

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    <div class="quote_poster">Kensaku Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">[​IMG]

    Okay, okay. Let's lay off Muss. He's a stand-up guy (so it seems).</div>

    Actually, I heard he is known to eat small children.
     
  10. Custodianrules2

    Custodianrules2 Cohan + Rowell = Suck

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    <div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe thats why he brought in Nelson, to help him quit the alcohol so that he wouldn't do another outrageous signing. [​IMG]</div>

    Either that, or to have Nelson tell him what to do again just like when he was a player.
     
  11. Clif25

    Clif25 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting article:</div><div class="quote_post">"I think guys in the NBA, once they understand (a coach), they can deal. I call it 'the mating period.' You're still trying to figure out what the hell is going on a little bit."</div>

    I think only Foyle could come up with such a term - "the mating period"... I suppose Foyle could say that the last several "mating periods" haven't gone so well. Hopefully this one will be different. [​IMG]
     
  12. Gohn

    Gohn JBB JustBBall Member

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    That Foyle quote is hilarious.
     
  13. Custodianrules2

    Custodianrules2 Cohan + Rowell = Suck

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    I know "mating period?" WTF Foyle?

    Maybe he's been saying that because he's been bent over by Nelson the last few weeks as the end of the bench player. Whereas, in Montgomery's lineups he'd be starting center by default because all of our centers are teenage projects or are not really true centers at all. Murphy at center is like calling Enfamil real breast milk.
     

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