so a guy who weighs 197 and another who weighs 200 are what constitutes as PFs? (draftexpress.com under pre-draft measurements)

these guys weigh less than a swing 2-3 in Stephen Jackson who is listed at 215...Marcus Williams weighs more than these guys. most real PF's weigh 230-270 or more... Boozer weighed in at 263 the year he was drafted.

anyone who has actually played basketball knows you don't "develop" or whatever you want to call it via games, you do it via practice through repetitions. you can gain experience in games, but that's only if you know what you are doing in the 1st place. otherwise, you'll be like Alex Smith looking at the tape and not have a clue at what you are supposed to be looking for.

this ain't football, the 8th & 14th picks seldom amount to anything. more often than not, they are bench/role players. just b/c you can jump out of the building doesn't mean you know how to play basketball.

Nelson's problem is that most people aren't buying the myth any more. Those of us who follow the Warriors closely are seeing increasingly irrational decision making by the head coach. The media is no longer being so easily charmed by Nellie's irascible personality, and many of us see wasted opportunities right and left. Belinelli, so good in December, was buried on the bench - and would still be on the bench - if not for injuries. In the OKC game, Wright was the early star who helped built a substantial lead, only to disappear from the game. The veterans seem to suffer no consequences from abysmal shot selection and lazy defense, while one mistake by a youngster takes him off the court. Randolph, with unlimited potential, has disappeared from the rotation, rather than simply being allowed to contribute as long as he plays smart. Because of loud complaints about his propensity for small ball and terrible rebounding, Nellie said he was going larger and settled on a starting lineup of Biedrins and Wright, only to revert to his prized small ball at the first opportunity.

Nelson has always been a bully and has always neglected the development of his young players through game time experience, and this frustrating season is raising the question of whether he's still got what it takes to coach an NBA team. Is he tanking? (Doubtful at this point) Is he trying to get fired so he can return to Hawaii to draw on his contract extension? (Doubtful but ???) Or is he just too old and tired to be effective?

Lowell, it's Nelson's choice to play his D-league crew and not his drafted players, so he can only blame himself if the team does not improve. He can't blame Mullin, because Mullin isn't involved in the decisions anymore, it looks like Riley is the man. Since Rowell was stupid enough to extend Nelson, it looks like they won't replace him, no matter how many games he loses this year, so Warrior fans are stuck with a sinking ship with little hope for improvement. At least the Niners have Singletary and some hope for the future.

From what I hear and read, Randolph doesn't practice like Nelson wants him to. I want the two to play more, but if the guys aren't putting the effort in practice, why give them a "gift". The guys who've been working hard to get better deserve the PT.

Randolph and Wright will most likely soon be part of some other team's future...

Lowell that first paragraph of your blog is hilarious. Your comments in general were well thought out. I know the angle here is that Nelson isn't doing his job but he's a pretty interesting character and he would do well in corporate America. This isn't how anyone with integrity should operate, but I have to admit Nelson is Machiavellian shrewd.

You nailed it, Mr. Cohn.

Nelson doesn't want to accept the fact that the NBA is a player's league, so when he gets a talented big man like Chris Webber, Randolph or Wright, and doesn't love his work ethic, he tries to break him like a wild horse. Problem is, these are men, not horses, and they have lots of great alternative teams they can play for besides the Warriors. Good coaches find what really motivates each player and push those buttons to help make them great. Nelson is not a good coach. His motivational techniques don't inspire his players--they drive them away. Nelson needs to resign before he drives Randolph and Wright away. No Webber redux.

First off, I have to say if NBA players only "develop" through practice, they'd never develop during the season. With 2-4 games a week, plus travel, regular season practices are glorified shoot-arounds.

Secondly, I think "motivational" coaches are the biggest myth around. Players are self-motivated improve, those who aren't stagnate or get worse. Nobody can really make you care more: you either do or don't, and that's on you. Nelson gives free rein to gunning guards, but seems, for whatever reason, shy about let youngsters loose. It's very interesting that playing limited but willing D-Leagues is bold, but let rookies learn from their errors would be reckless (from Nelson's POV).

BTW, less than 4 months on, and it's already bye bye to Maggette, an bigger waste of money than any draft pick. Not that it's any great loss, But this is what the Warriors got out of losing Davis. Someone's been beaten with the stupid stick. Perhaps several someones.

This is just another LC hit piece, one in a long line. It plays into fan frustration but offers little analysis. Way too much psycho-babble about Nelson's inner motives. He is simply getting his coaching weaknesses exposed more than usual because he has an injured and under-talented team on the floor (and bench).

BearCub,

If you watch Randolph play in the games, and I'll bet you have, you can see that he is very oompetitive and motivated but makes rookie mistakes. He is the first one to dive to the floor after loose balls. If he doesn't practice hard enough, as Nelson claims, it's not coming from a lack of motivation--perhaps a lack of direction--as in coaching direction.

Mr. Cohn, I respectfully disagree. I think Kelenna Azubuike deserves minutes. Yes, he's from the d-league, but the kid can play. CJ I'm not so fond of, but Kelenna is a contributor. Now, that doesn't mean I think he should be playing the "4" spot, but he deserves minutes. You shouldn't be so harsh on the "d-leaguers" I think Azubuike has more than proven his worth on the team.