http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/55231/20081103/ellis_officially_files_grieveance_against_warriors/
It has to be frustrating to be suspended for 30 games (and $3M+) and then still face another possible fine and/or a voiding of your entire contract. But I understand the Warriors point of view because if he never comes back at 100%, then the Warriors are really screwed for 5 years. And that can't be determined until he actually does come back and plays for a while. Of course actually determining what is "100%", and how long that should take, is tricky, and would probably be difficult to disprove legally. Using simple numbers like points per game won't be sufficient. In any case I feel bad for Monta because the pressure on him when he returns will be enormous.
If Monta can play some serious team defense, make less turnovers, shoot free throws at 80%, and shoot the 3 ball consistently when open, all is forgiven If he can at least be as effective as a point guard like Tony Parker, good enough! There's no need to demand that Ellis become Chris Paul (The real #1 draft pick in his class).
Here's another Kawakami blog post about the whole Ellis mess. I think if Rowell insists on this "double jeopardy" business (reserving the right to later void the contract), they should, right now, work out with Ellis a definite end to that. I'm thinking at the end of this year would be fair. That should be enough time to assess whether he is damaged goods or not. There's no way you should be able to hold that over a player for five years. If they can agree on some definite end now, I think it would alleviate a lot of the tension and frustration, because if they don't things could easily get really ugly and I don't know about you, but I'm thinking no matter what it's going to be the Warriors who come out with the short end of the stick. Just because they always do.
