http://www.insidebayarea.com/warriors/ci_5942413DARTING HERE and there ... - Count on it, Don Nelson will be back once the Warriors sweeten his contract, and they'd better. This roster and this style won't work without Nellie, and Nellie won't work without more money. - If Nelson does decide he's had enough ? and he'd be completely done if he hangs it up ? Keith Smart might be the smart pick as his replacement. But let's not go there yet. - The Warriors don't need to upset their entire roster in a pie-in-the-sky pursuit of Kevin Garnett. They simply need a strong rebounding power forward with some offensive game ? Utah's Paul Millsap or someone of his ilk would be perfect to play alongside Andris Biedrins. - Of course, if Minnesota offered Garnett for Jason Richardson, Biedrins and a draft pick, the Warriors would be foolish to pass. If Nelson wants to win that elusive championship, they'd have to take that shot. But don't wait by the phone for that one, Chris. You'll have to make it. - Matt Barnes, an unrestricted free agent, might be difficult to retain. He should get some strong contract offers after resurrecting his career in Oakland, and he'd be a tough loss. - He's not gone yet, but we might as well say goodbye now: Adonal Foyle, the most interesting athlete in professional sports, at least as a man. - As combustible as he can be, Stephen Jackson needs to come back just for the defense and the tough, fearless attitude he gives the Warriors, who didn't have --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Advertisement--------------------------------------------------------------------------------either one before he arrived. - Congrats to the NBA for ruining the Phoenix-San Antonio series. The way it turned out, Robert Horry's body-check on Steve Nash was sheer genius. The league's stupid no-leaving-the-bench rule surely will be altered, but it's too late for the Suns, who were ousted on a strict but warped interpretation that penalized them more than the Spurs. Awful. - Another rule that absolutely must be changed: The out-of-control charging call in which players jump in front of a driving player and flop. In the old days, that drew a blocking call 90 percent of the time, and the players didn't pull that garbage. - I didn't believe Monte Poole until I saw it for myself, but Utah has the whiniest fans in the NBA. They boo bloody murder every single foul call against the Jazz. Every one. Too bad, because I really like Jerry Sloan and the team. But their fans are straight out of Podunkville. - San Antonio over Utah in 6, Detroit over Cleveland in 7 and then the Spurs over the Pistons in 5. I'm getting them all out of the way now because I don't plan on watching much. How can you watch normal basketball after the Warriors and Steve Nash have bowed out? - If the Yankees fire Joe Torre, here are two available candidates with experience and good track records: Dusty Baker and Ken Macha. - Giants fans are up in arms that Barry Bonds went nine games without a homer. Alex Rodriguez, the major-league leader, is homerless over his last 10 games and has hit just one homer in his last 23. - Tough call on whom I'm more sick of: Roger Clemens or Brett Favre. Two once-great players getting far too much attention as media-massaging has-beens. Probably have to go with Favre, though. At least Clemens isn't so annoying. - By the time Clemens gets to the Yankees, they might be 15 games out. Then he'll collect his $28 million for going 7-6 the rest of the way. Nice deal if you can get it. - Keyshawn Johnson to the Oakland Raiders? Lord, let's hope not. They just got rid of one problem receiver, they don't need that overrated, self-absorbed loudmouth. Stick with Ronald Curry, fellas, a classy, stand-up guy who's just as good a possession receiver, if not better. - Great Preakness ... no broken legs this year. - If you thought the A's-Giants game from Friday night was lopsided, how about this score from the Class A California League on the same night: Lake Elsinore 30, Lancaster 0. - What, there are two AT&T golf tournaments now? And Tiger doesn't play in either one of them? - The notion is that USC had a great basketball recruiting class, but UCLA's haul of Chace Stanback and Kevin Love, plus a verbal commitment from Drew Gordon for 2008, puts the Bruins in a strong position. - Finally, give it up, Rickey Henderson. Take the A's one-day offer if they extend it, retire gracefully in Oakland, then we'll see you in the Hall of Fame in 2009.
