<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> What was bad for the Warriors turned out to be good for their rookies.</p> First-round picks Brandan Wright and Marco Belinelli both re-acquainted themselves to extended action Sunday thanks to the Warriors' 109-87 loss.</p> Wright finished with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes. Belinelli hit his first two shots and ran the point in the fourth quarter.</p> "It was an opportunity for our bench to get some good time, and I think the bench played well," Wright said.</p> Among Wright's highlights were a nice feed to Matt Barnes for a fastbreak layup, a block against Jarvis Hayes and a three-point play after being fouled by Hayes. Belinelli finished with five points, one assist, one steal and two turnovers.</p> Some of that came against Pistons starters Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince, who were in the game when Golden State's reserves cut a 26-point deficit to 15 near the end of the third quarter.</p> "I think they needed the work," coach Don Nelson said. "I wasn't unhappy with any of them. They got a chance to play and they did all right."</p> Azubuike, Hudson out: Guard Kelenna Azubuike was forced out with knee tendinitis after seven minutes of play, and guard Troy Hudson did not dress following another bout of hip soreness.</p> "It was really bothering me and I couldn't shake it," said Azubuike, who began wearing a sleeve on his right knee in the game against San Antonio on Tuesday. "It was hurting, sharp pain."</p> Azubuike did not rule out playing tonight.</p> Coach-in-training: Assistant Keith Smart called the Warriors' first timeout and ran several early huddles against the Pistons before Nelson got more involved.</p> "We're going to do some more of that," Nelson said. "A part of my job is to teach the younger coaches and give them some experience. I don't have to say everything all the time."</p> Smart had split coaching duties with Larry Riley when a flu-ridden Nelson lost his voice during a game against the Wizards in Washington on Nov. 23.</div></p> Source: SF Gate</p>
I'm really rooting for Bellinelli and Brandan Wright. Even if they're not getting playing time, I hope they're at least working on their free throws.
Impressive for the Rooks. Although I am really disappointed with Kelenna's injury problems. Seems those have plagued him since coming out of college, and are pretty much f*in up his pro career right now. I wanna see him get through it, though, he's a really exciting player to watch.
Well Kelenna got hurt by leaving college a tad too early. Always liked him, glad to see him making something of himself.
