<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Nelson, Warriors a matchVeteran NBA coach relents and accepts Golden State's offerBy Geoff LepperSTAFF WRITERArticle Launched: 09/13/2007 10:45:06 PM PDTOAKLAND -- Nellieball isn't slowing down just yet.Don Nelson, the coach who last season helped vault the Warriors back into playoff prominence after a 12-year absence from the Golden State bench, has reached an agreement in principle with the team on a reworked deal that will bring him back for at least one more season.Nelson, who originally signed a three-year deal in August 2006, relented and accepted the team's initial offer made several weeks ago. His base salary for each of the remaining two years will jump from $3.1 million to $5.1 million, but the final season is now a team option rather than guaranteed cash."I'm excited to come back and coach the team," Nelson said. "The Bay Area's perfect for us (Nelson and wife Joy), I love working with Mully (executive vice president Chris Mullin), I love the staff. There's so many positives here."The deal, which could be signed as early as today, ensures that the second-winningest coach in NBA history -- and the only coach to lead the Warriors above the .500 mark in the last two decades -- will be on hand to guide a roster that has been specifically tailored to his up-tempo, small-ball preferences.Team president Robert Rowell confirmed that a deal is close but said some particulars are yet to be locked in."We are definitely rounding third base," Rowell said. "We obviously have some details to work out, but we feel strongly that this is moving in the direction we all want this to move."Nelson's lawyer, John O'Connor, countered the Warriors' offer last week with a deal that included a partial guarantee in 2008-09, but the team didn't bite"It went on long enough," Nelson said of the talks. "Negotiations could have gone on until training camp started, but I didn't want that."In taking the deal, Nelson appears to be losing $1.1 million in guaranteed money, but he said there is a provision in place that will grant him a five-year consulting deal worth $1 million total if the team chooses not to exercise its option for 2008-09.That offer could be on the table even if Nelson, 67, does coach beyond next season."It's a gesture on our part to keep Don a part of the franchise, because we appreciate and respect what he's done for us and what he means to the Warriors," Rowell said.There are also $1.5 million worth of bonuses available to Nelson each season, but those begin to kick in only if the team reaches the Western Conference finals.Nelson said he alerted team leaders Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson to his return. The news was celebrated by recently re-signed forward Matt Barnes, who produced career-best numbers under Nelson last season."He was the driving force behind our season and when I heard that he might not come back, I was disappointed," Barnes said. "Now all the pieces have fallen back into place and it's time to get back to work."</div>Source: Contra Costa Times
It would have been a mess to have to get a new coach even if it was Keith Smart because Nelson is such a unique coach. This way we still have Nelson and it sounds as if he'll stay on even after his coaching days are over in a couple of years. Yes, the Warriors have a team option, but after we go deep in the playoffs again, then Nellie should be back for year 3. That said the Warriors will have to improve in rebounding and defense THIS YEAR, but those are topics for another day.</p> Right now, it's time to celebrate Don Nelson coming back !!! </p>
Hopefully Nelson can go back to being a defensive minded type coach. </p> They say Marco can play D, we know Ellis, Baron, Sjax, Biedrins can play D. Harrington is okay defender, at least not as Murphy like. Azu seems okay on defense. Barnes can play D when his head is on straight. Same with Pietrus. Sarunas (not really). POB (lacks defensive anticipation and footwork at the nba level) Brandan Wright (I heard can block shots and try to steal the ball, but he's not a good defender in general, maybe he's Pau Gasol or Nowitzi like) Lasme is a defensive player. Not sure about Croshere, he's probably a 3 point specialist and hustle kind of guy. I heard he's an above average athlete compared to Dun or Pat Garrity. So we got a lot of guys who can play D which is a nice sign, but I worry about foul trouble because playing small forces one to play risky. There's always reach-in fouls or a lot more collisions happening because the game is a lot faster than halfcourt where its more under control. Sometimes more man-to-man type of defensive coverage is a lot easier than forming tight, shifting zones where people are getting hit in traffic a lot more.</p> But I'm sure Nelson knows his own team's limitations and its strengths. It's an small offensive team that lacks any big inside scoring threats... for now. It's good at stealing the ball and blocking shots. It doesn't rebound that well. To me it makes getting Brandan Wright and Lasme some very good moves to fill a need and not risk getting less talented. At least in theory, we'll have to see. </p>
Without Nelson, the Warriors would be back to the gutters. Can't wait to see what this Golden State squad brings to the table in 07-08 without Jason Richardson.
I'm actually rooting for the Bobcats to make the playoffs, because Jason Richardson got ganked. I mean the guy is financially well off than most players, but he really cared about being a Warrior. Fans will always love him for his exciting play and that time he took money out of his own pocket to apologize to fans in the local newspapers about how sorry he was that the Warriors did not make the playoffs again.
