<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span class="georgia md" id="bodytext"> Had Mickael Pietrus had his way, he would be in Miami right now playing alongside Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal, not joining the Warriors' camp already in progress and giving his coach a chance to deliver one of his classic quips.</p> "The prodigal son came home," Don Nelson said with a smile.</p> The late-arriving Pietrus played it nice Thursday after his first practice back with Golden State. Pietrus, who re-signed Monday for the qualifying offer of $3.47 million, insisted there were no hard feelings despite returning to a team he didn't want to play for again and at a much lower rate than he expected.</p> "I'm not mad at anybody," Pietrus said. "I still love Chris Mullin. I still love coach Nellie. I respect their choice. It's a business, so it's time for me to free my mind and play basketball."</p> Neither he nor Nelson anticipated any problems getting the fifth-year swingman up to speed. Pietrus started 38 games last season and averaged a career-high 11.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.</p> His energy and hustle seem more suited for a role off the bench, but it's possible Pietrus could contend for a starting spot, especially with Jason Richardson gone and Stephen Jackson suspended for the first seven games.</p> "I already know the system. It's not like I'm a rookie or have to hurry up and make sure I know the play," Pietrus said. "Coach told me I'm going to have a bigger role on the team, doing the same things I did last year, but bring a little more points. So I look forward to that."</p> He is also looking forward to his next crack at free agency. Pietrus will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, giving him the right to sign with any team he chooses. Asked if the Warriors' recent hardline stance would have any effect on their chances of potentially resigning him next year, Pietrus answered with a statement that he wishes could have made about his status this summer.</p> "I'll be free to make any decision I want." he said.</p> Meanwhile, Pietrus' teammates who welcomed him back did not believe his contract status - or those of any Warrior - would be a distraction this season. Of the seven remaining players from Golden State's eight-man playoff rotation, as many as five will be seeking new deals next summer.</p> Forward Al Harrington likened the Warriors to his former Indiana team that went 61-21 during the 2003-04 season and featured Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest, Reggie Miller and himself. The Pacers were so stacked, Harrington said, that players couldn't afford to slack off and fall behind.</p> "We'll do everything as a team to help him have a good summer next summer, and it all starts here," Harrington said.</div></p> Source: SF Gate</p> </span></p>
Okay, I gotta stop being so negative about this guy. He does good things too. I was going to rip on the fact they got his nickname wrong, "Airhead France" is more like it. Plus, he says he already knows the system, so we'll see if he can play without making many bonehead mistakes. Okay damn, I'm already getting negative about this guy. I think the Warriors are in a good long term situation.</p>
