Truth & Rumors > NBA

Why Warriors may pay off Nellie

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Several core Warriors are convinced owner Chris Cohan is considering paying off ($5.1M) Don Nelson rather than risk a players' rebellion next season. That gloomy forecast is largely based on how downbeat last season ended. In the second half of the Warriors' elimination-from-playoff-contention loss (next to last game) at Phoenix, Nelson benched Baron Davis - purportedly because his offense backfired (2-13) in the opening 24 minutes. He did not play in the second half, as if a franchise player never shot blanks only to rediscover his stroke of genius in the final 24. The night before the game, Versace held a reception for Davis in Phoenix that was scheduled to last from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. It was not a party, underlines a Warriors official, yet it was referred to in that sense by the Arizona Republic the next day. Numerous observers, me included, were convinced Nelson disciplined Davis for "partying" the night before such a big game after he was unable to find the range in the first half.

New York Post

Don Nelson, Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images Don Nelson, Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
May 16, 2008  05:45 AM ET

hope baron takes a pay cut and comes home 2 play for either L_A team.

May 16, 2008  05:49 AM ET

A players' rebeliion in Golden State ??!!
I am shocked !!
The franchise owes its resurrection to Nellie. They didn't make the playoffs this year, but that's because the West was unusually competitive, and the Nuggets had the upper hand in the struggle for the final spot.
To be fair, yes, Davis should have played the second half of that game, but in the big picture, it probably would not have made a difference in the final result.
If the Warriors get rid of Nellie, who will step in to coach? Will Mullin try his hand at it? Avery Johnson would be a great fit for Golden State, but who knows if he is available if Chicago and other teams try for him.
- JL

May 16, 2008  07:53 AM ET

I don't see Davis or Arenas as a good fit for the Lakers, a catch and shoot PG like Fisher is what they need, not someone that wants to dominate the ball.

May 16, 2008  08:43 AM ET

Don't get rid of Nellie...Baron Davis will most likely not be there next year anyway. And no...he wouldn't be a good fit in a Lakers uni...maybe a Clipper but definitely not a Laker.

May 16, 2008  12:06 PM ET

Has Nellie worn out his welcome already? Com'on. No way!

He was secretly hoping to get a lottery pick next year to trade for something,

Baron would fit with the Celtic too, if he would take a huge pay cut to go to a contender.

May 16, 2008  12:14 PM ET

Why is it always the coaches fault? The Warriors had a chance to make the playoffs but other teams wanted it more. It's that simple.

BD should stay with the Warriors. They are a piece or two away from getting in the thick of the West race.

May 16, 2008  01:17 PM ET

the experiment is over, Golden State is just another 40 win team that struggles to make the playoffs

May 16, 2008  01:18 PM ET

Nellie, Antoni, Karl, Addelman- never will win the big one because they believe that defense is a strong offense. Until they embrace Piston/Spur type defense they will always frustrate the fan. Its like the wonderful feeling you get from eating candy and the subsequent sugar highs, only to be followed by a nasty hangover. You always remember what happens last, and who wants a hang over season after season!

May 16, 2008  01:23 PM ET

the LAKERS dont need him.

May 16, 2008  01:24 PM ET

AND IM TALKING ABOUT BARON DAVIS.

May 16, 2008  01:56 PM ET

Davis to me is not an ideal point guard because he wants to create shots for himself. LA or Boston are better off without him (i dont predict an offer from either franchise anyways) The best thing for Davis is to quit cry babying and just take it like a man. The Warriors owe everything to Nellie because they lack in size and they arent the deepest team. Nellie has made them a fifty win team.

May 16, 2008  02:03 PM ET

Nelson can come coach Toronto!!! Anyday... that is if I had any say... which I don't...so...

May 16, 2008  03:50 PM ET

NO, Baron would not be a good fit in Boston. We have one of the better young point guards in the league in Rondo. Baron would assassinate that team.

I also heard that Nellie benched Baron because he was hungover. Nice decision there Baron, go out and get sideways the night before the biggest game of the year. He's a loser

May 16, 2008  04:38 PM ET

This seems to be another job where Nelson will be replaced by Avery Johnson. If I was Avery I would wait on this one.

May 16, 2008  04:40 PM ET

Baron Davis is definitely Clipper material. If he wants to come home to LA I don't see the Lakers taking him on.

Sad thing is I think he has a home at MSG. He just has Knick written all over him, for better or worse.

May 16, 2008  06:09 PM ET

That's a good point, his desire to be the man wouldn't mesh well with the Lakers. But the Clippers need a one-two-punch and a rejuvinated Baron could help pump up the big guy into waiving his opt out clause and playing for at least another year. On the flipside the west is so stacked that I'm guessing the top 6 teams or so will remain intact with a few primo players headed to teams 5 - 8. Kidd didn't work so trade Baron for Jason so that the Kidd can finish were his college days began. Just a thought.

May 16, 2008  06:43 PM ET

These thuggish turds in the NBA always piss and moan about the coach. Let them actually try to earn their pay by playing defense, rebounding, passing, and other nuances that they deem unimportant.

May 16, 2008  07:11 PM ET

TOO OLD !!! TOO BEHIND THE TIMES !!! TOO , TOO, TOO !!!

May 16, 2008  09:22 PM ET

warriors and clippers same old story bad bad owners they make the wrong decision everytime.

 
May 18, 2008  03:34 AM ET

What Sarver called and beg for Nellie to be bought out of the Contract so he can coach Suns?

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