BobCatsFanInTx
12-25-2008, 06:49 PM
Warriors coach Don Nelson appears to be reliving the dramas of his last stint in Oakland.
Being taken down memory lane is usually a pleasant experience, but not when the road leads back to the meltdown of the Golden State Warriors franchise I witnessed firsthand 15 years ago.
It was gut-wrenching then, as a beat writer, to cover a team full of such hope and promise and a year later watch it all come apart in such spectacular fashion that the franchise remained radioactive for years afterward. Now that they're one of 30 teams I'm responsible for keeping tabs on, it's no less dispiriting. Especially since the script, and the main characters, are nearly the same.
Two seasons ago, the Warriors were one of the most captivating teams in the league. Led by Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson -- and a masterful coaching job by Don Nelson -- they made it to the second round of the playoffs, upsetting the top-seeded Mavericks before bowing to the relentless execution and physical pounding of the Utah Jazz.
Davis is gone. Jackson, according to several sources, recently told teammates he'd happily accept being sent elsewhere. Al Harrington already got his wish to be dealt. Sources also say rookie phenom Anthony Randolph, who some believe has the talent to one day be among the league's top 10 players, has been told he's not fitting in and could be dealt. Point guard Marcus Williams is seeking a buyout. Corey Maggette, signed last summer after the loss of Davis, is back in Los Angeles rehabbing a hamstring and one opposing GM said Maggette's agent is quietly exploring his trade options.
However bad it looks at 8-22, it's way worse behind the scenes. According to sources, Jackson, Nelson's staunchest ally in the lockerroom, was called into Nelson's car when he showed up for the team's shootaround before facing Orlando. Nelson apparently told Jackson he was playing poorly and Jackson, who had been fighting through injuries to stay on the court, was so upset he skipped the shootaround. Jackson denied any lingering conflict, but he has since decided not to play until his injuries heal.
The common thread between now and 15 years ago is a major dispute between Don Nelson and others, with owner Chris Cohan supporting Nelson. Cohan's support, in light of what happened last time, is akin to investing with the same stockbroker who already bilked you.
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To read the rest....http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=bucher_ric&page=warriorsbucher-081223
Don't be surprised if the Bobcats trade for Randolph as Ballwhore has said might happen.
Being taken down memory lane is usually a pleasant experience, but not when the road leads back to the meltdown of the Golden State Warriors franchise I witnessed firsthand 15 years ago.
It was gut-wrenching then, as a beat writer, to cover a team full of such hope and promise and a year later watch it all come apart in such spectacular fashion that the franchise remained radioactive for years afterward. Now that they're one of 30 teams I'm responsible for keeping tabs on, it's no less dispiriting. Especially since the script, and the main characters, are nearly the same.
Two seasons ago, the Warriors were one of the most captivating teams in the league. Led by Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson -- and a masterful coaching job by Don Nelson -- they made it to the second round of the playoffs, upsetting the top-seeded Mavericks before bowing to the relentless execution and physical pounding of the Utah Jazz.
Davis is gone. Jackson, according to several sources, recently told teammates he'd happily accept being sent elsewhere. Al Harrington already got his wish to be dealt. Sources also say rookie phenom Anthony Randolph, who some believe has the talent to one day be among the league's top 10 players, has been told he's not fitting in and could be dealt. Point guard Marcus Williams is seeking a buyout. Corey Maggette, signed last summer after the loss of Davis, is back in Los Angeles rehabbing a hamstring and one opposing GM said Maggette's agent is quietly exploring his trade options.
However bad it looks at 8-22, it's way worse behind the scenes. According to sources, Jackson, Nelson's staunchest ally in the lockerroom, was called into Nelson's car when he showed up for the team's shootaround before facing Orlando. Nelson apparently told Jackson he was playing poorly and Jackson, who had been fighting through injuries to stay on the court, was so upset he skipped the shootaround. Jackson denied any lingering conflict, but he has since decided not to play until his injuries heal.
The common thread between now and 15 years ago is a major dispute between Don Nelson and others, with owner Chris Cohan supporting Nelson. Cohan's support, in light of what happened last time, is akin to investing with the same stockbroker who already bilked you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To read the rest....http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=bucher_ric&page=warriorsbucher-081223
Don't be surprised if the Bobcats trade for Randolph as Ballwhore has said might happen.