Yesterday’s Stephen Jackson trade might just be the first step in a rapid deconstruction of the Golden State Warriors as we once knew them. San Jose Mercury News columnist Tim Kawakami is now reporting that Monta Ellis, the team’s best player, may be next.
When It Rains, It Pours In Golden State
↵It seems Ellis has been rumored to be on the block about 500 times in the last two years, so perhaps this isn’t news. But what changed this time?
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↵Two sources say that Nelson embarrassed Ellis when Ellis tried to step into a leadership role in the aftermath of the 28-point home loss to the Clippers on Nov. 6.
↵The sources describe the scene in the post-game locker room: Ellis, as a co-captain, began loudly addressing to his teammates, telling them that this performance could not be tolerated.
↵But then Nelson came into the room and told Ellis to be quiet.
↵Speaking to reporters a few minutes later, Ellis was near-tears.
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↵I certainly understand Ellis’ frustration in this situation -- if you don’t let him speak up, who on the team does? Then again, why should Ellis be a team leader when he jeopardized his career and let down his team by foolishly riding a moped and getting into an accident, a la Jay Williams. So ... is it possible for both sides to be right and wrong at the same time? Only when the Warriors are involved, apparently. For what it’s worth, Golden State of Mind’s reader poll is split down the middle between trading Ellis and keeing him.
↵The bottom line is that Ellis needs a change of scenery. Bethlehem Shoals of The Baseline writes that Ellis is a “a basketball player who makes basketball plays, and he should be starring somewhere.” He’s right. Hopefully, Ellis ends up in a better situation, where he can show why he was once one of the league’s rising stars.
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