Don Nelson hates certain players. All coaches hate certain players, but with Nelson if you get in the hate category you never get out.
Nelson hates Marco Belinelli and he hates Al Harrington and Brandan Wright. But he really hates Marcus Williams, hates him to the max.
The Warriors just announced they are picking up contract options for next season on Wright and Belinelli. Good luck to Belinelli as he dies on the vine. But they refused to pick up an option for Williams. Not smart.
Granted Nelson hates him. Still, he's a point guard and the Warriors need a point guard. If the Warriors had picked up his option -- $2 million=chump change -- they could trade him to another team that needs a guard. They could have gotten something. Now they've announced to the league that he stinks and any team who wants him will wait till the end of this season to get him for NOTHING. Nothing is not good.
Chris Mullin announced these transactions in a team release. Maybe Mullin was behind these moves. I wonder. This feels more to me like Warriors president Robert Rowell, who is cheap and knows nothing about basketball. This feels like Rowell hiding behind Mullin's name to make the worst possible decision about Williams.
I wish you could see the Warriors media guide. Page 5 is a full-page picture of Rowell. This picture comes one page before the picture of owner Chris Cohan, and Cohan doesn't even get a full page. The guide is saying that Rowell is the Warriors. Time to feel nauseous.
Pitiful and embarrassing. Cohan&Rowell, please go away immediately.
Tim has blogged repeatedly that Don Nelson hates Wright, amongst other players. Geoff has mentioned that Nellie expects a certain level of defensive play from his players and while you can clearly see how that applies to Belinelli and Williams, it can’t be the whole story on Wright or Harrington. If it’s a hustle issue, again, it applies/ed to POB and Williams, and maybe a little to Wright, but Belinelli and Harrington both hustle plenty. If it’s a rebounding issue with Wright & Harrington, that makes more sense but “hate” just seems so over the top to apply to a player that’s good but just doesn’t rebound enough. It’s not like Capt Jax is even an average rebounder for his position. So what’s the real deal? What’s Nellie’s beef with Wright and Harrington? I’m not in love with Harrington’s game either, it is what it is, but if Nellie really does hate Wright, then the whole Richardson trade was a straight salary dump. Do you have any anecdotes that would illuminate the opinion that both you and Tim have expressed that Don Nelson hates Brandan Wright…at least as a basketball player?
When I use the word "hates" I don't mean Nelson hates these men as people. I have no idea how he feels. But he dislikes their games. Maybe dislike is a better word. He constantly complains that Harrington does not rebound enough for his position. Constantly. He complains to Harrington's face when media are present.
Wright is different. Nelson wants players who can shoot a jumper. Wright has not shown consistent ability in that department. Plus he's skinny -- not physical -- and that does not work with his position on the court. Not a Nelson kind of player.
Then if Nelson doesnt like Skinny players why did they acquire Wright-why did they draft Randolph?? Both these guys are long and athletic and can mature to become very good players....I am one person who WASNT happy Nelson signed for 2 more years.....while we will be entertained we wont develop young players and wont win a championship. Small ball sucks
Thanks for the reply Lowell, much appreciated. And the transcripts you've been posting are wonderful.