<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Warriors coach Don Nelson says he has never had a point guard as big and skilled as Baron Davis, and that he has never had a point guard as young and able as Monta Ellis. Put them next to each other, and what he does have? A starting backcourt that is "playing beautifully together," Nelson said. Premier point guards have been the jewel of his up-tempo teams, and Davis and Ellis are adding a combined twist to Nelson's backcourt this season. At a lithe 6-foot-3, Ellis is one of the quickest ballhandlers in the league. At a bruising 6-3, Davis is one of the most intimidating. When Ellis pushes the pace, Davis is free to roam around the free-throw line, set picks, and put himself in post-up and catch-and-shoot positions. Both are perimeter threats. Both can penetrate. So it's little wonder that after seven games -- the last two with Davis and Ellis starting together -- the Warriors' have one of the top-ranked offenses (102 points per game, sixth in the league through Sunday) heading into tonight's game against the Raptors. "That combination is working great," Nelson said. "If (Monta) gets it up fast, gets it to Baron, Baron's going to make a terrific play and not turn it over." Davis is leading the Warriors in scoring with 20.1 points per game and Ellis is right behind him with 16.1. Ellis refers to Davis as a "big brother," and he's getting plenty of guidance as he learns to be a primary ballhandler. Ellis, 21, rarely played the point last season, and his inexperience is evident. Good point guards generally have a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Davis has been superb with better than a 4-to-1 ratio. Ellis has averages of 2.6 assists and 3.1 turnovers per game. Nelson says Ellis is "killing me" with his turnovers, which usually have come on risky passes or simply lazy ones. Ellis helped seal a road loss to Hornets last Tuesday by trying to lob a pass to Jason Richardson in traffic, and Ellis had five turnovers against the Pistons on Saturday night. "He still doesn't understand the game isn't that easy," Nelson said. "Maybe it's easy in his eyes, but there's just too many good players to not be playing at that high level at all times. He'll go to sleep on me occasionally and take a risky pass he shouldn't make. It's just me staying focused with him so he understands he can't do that. "And he's really a great player," Nelson immediately added. Davis understands the youthful mistakes and says he's trying to get Ellis to play at different speeds instead of going full-steam all the time. He and Richardson essentially have taken over Ellis' mentoring from Derek Fisher and Calbert Cheaney, who had the role last season. Ellis realizes he needs to receive constructive criticism. "It's tough at times," Davis said. "It's a new position and he's young, but ... he's open to everything that people say. Sometimes he thinks we get down on him, but he always takes (it) in stride." Said Ellis: "That's just something to push myself. Coach is pushing me because he sees great things for me. He wants the best for me. That's it. I have to do it." Briefly: Nelson could be forced to use his eighth starting lineup in eight games tonight after Richardson sprained his right ankle in Monday's practice. Mickael Pietrus took his place with the first unit, and Richardson is listed as day-to-day. ... Guard Keith McLeod went through his first full-contact practice since spraining his right ankle in the season opener and said he will be available. ... Forward Zarko Cabarkapa (strained lower back) has shut down all basketball-related activities until his doctor's visit Monday. ... Voting for February's All-Star Game in Las Vegas began Monday with Davis, Richardson and forward Troy Murphy representing the Warriors on the ballot. </div> http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...SPGNBMC1CE1.DTL Monta better be invited to the Rook. vs. Soph. game... kid needs his recognition.
I really like how Baron appears to not feel threatened and defensive about Monta, even though it's apparent he will someday likely replace him. Credit to Nellie for making the decision to play them both together, it's really working out nicely. A healthy Baron, JRich, and Monta on the floor at the same time is a nightmare for opposing teams. Add Andris and Ike or Murph and the Warriors are a hard to shut down by attempting to clamp down on a single player. Everyone can run, everyone can score, everyone can pass, everyone can take it to the rim and finish strong, everyone can handle the ball to a decent extent. Even the rebounding is not bad with that lineup, the only glaring deficiency is interior defense, and I believe Andris and Ike are improving in that area.
Man I'll stop posting after this but damn, not to overrate Biedrins and talk about him to death, but we could have a mixture of elements from several star players like Ben Wallace, Andrei Kirilenko, Pau Gasol, Chris Bosh, Kenyon Martin, Jermaine O'neil. I'm seeing some of these elements like all the euro scouts were saying this kid would turn out in a few years. It's so exciting. Our project has turned into a prospect! It feels like Christmas!
<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Man I'll stop posting after this but damn, not to overrate Biedrins and talk about him to death, but we could have a mixture of elements from several star players like Ben Wallace, Andrei Kirilenko, Pau Gasol, Chris Bosh, Kenyon Martin, Jermaine O'neil. I'm seeing some of these elements like all the euro scouts were saying this kid would turn out in a few years. It's so exciting. Our project has turned into a prospect! It feels like Christmas!</div> If he can develop a 10-14 foot mid-range game, we'd have a super stud. We need Dunleavy's brain transplanted into Pietrus and somehow give Murphy's shot to Biedrins.
<div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If he can develop a 10-14 foot mid-range game, we'd have a super stud. We need Dunleavy's brain transplanted into Pietrus and somehow give Murphy's shot to Biedrins.</div> I think putting Dunleavy's brain in Pietrus would slow Pietrus down a little bit. For some reason I do not see Dunleavy being that great at making decisions quickly. But yeah, if we gave Ike a couple of inches from Zarko...Adonal's shot blocking to Murphy...Roberson's shooting to Mike Dunleavy...Barnes hustle to Dunleavy...and i don't know what else?
<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Ike's free throw shooting and offense to Biedrins?</div> Now that would be a number 1 pick overall
<div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Now that would be a number 1 pick overall </div> I'd still take Emeka Okafor or Dwight Howard over Biedrins with a free throw %.
<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Ike's free throw shooting and offense to Biedrins?</div> And Ike's muscle...
<div class="quote_poster">Warriorfansnc93 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">And Ike's muscle...</div> And Dunleavy's hair?
<div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">And Murphy's nose!</div> And Mullin's generosity mixed with Montgomery's passivity.
