I spoke with Don Nelson after today's Warriors practice. He talked about a lot of stuff I think you'll find interesting. I noticed he didn't answer in as much detail as usual. He could have been tired from the ordeal of his poor brother-in-law getting a leg amputated. Other writers told me he hasn't been speaking as much as he used to. Do you notice that?

Here's our conversation.

Cohn: What are your goals for this team?

Nelson: To be as good a team as we could possibly be. Period.

Cohn: Is this potentially a good team?

Nelson: I like the team. They've got a ways to go.

Cohn: Is this a playoff team?

Nelson: We shouldn't talk about playoffs at this point. We should talk about maxing out whatever it is we have to give, see how our young guys are coming along. We desperately need that to be as good as we can be.

Cohn: What does this team do well?

Nelson: Our fast break isn't where we want it. We haven't run very much in games. I'm very disappointed with that. I'd like to play a little faster. We just have some issues. What do we do well? Um. We're learning together so I can't really tell you other than we've made nice improvement on our defense.

Cohn: There has been some disharmony on this team. Can this team play together in harmony?

Nelson: Yes because harmony has nothing to do with the issues that have come up. Players like each other so they're always going to side with their brothers as opposed to side with management. That's something you would expect and it's a good thing. And they forgive and they know personalities and they understand just like the coach has to. It's not an issue.

Cohn: What is your starting lineup?

Nelson: I'm going to start C.J. and Monta together. We are not going to start Randolph. We're going to start Maggette. And we will start Goose at the 5 and if Jack can play we'll start Jack. Otherwise I'm not sure at the small forward.

Cohn: Why start Maggette over Randolph?

Nelson: I don't think I have Randolph anyway. He's really been hurting and he hasn't been playing up to his potential for several weeks now.

Cohn: Because he's hurt?

Nelson: I think so. I'm not sure. A lot of times guys take a step back before they go forward. I don't know if it's injury or it's that situation.

Cohn: It's a small team.

Nelson: Yeah it's small.

Cohn: Is that an issue?

Nelson: Size is always an issue in basketball. Not so much in horse racing.

Cohn: The strife you've had on the team, does it make you weary does it make it hard to coach?

Nelson: It does for a short period of time. Like anything else you get over it, you move on and you do your job.

Cohn: I felt sometimes last year you seemed somewhat detached. Is my perception incorrect?

Nelson: I'm letting go as I get older and letting my assistants do more. If that's what you're talking about that is a factor. I let them do more in the games as well. But, yeah, I'm very passionate, still love to win above anything. But I also have to know and understand the situation the team is in and accept that as part of what it is I do.

Cohn: When you say the situation the team is in, what do you mean, Don?

Nelson: Well, we're growing, we're young, we're in transition somewhat. So those issues. And we're not a dominant team.

Cohn: How is your health and stamina?

Nelson: Good. Thank you for noticing the 20 pounds I lost (he's joking).

Cohn: I'm in no position to comment.

Nelson: I noticed.

Cohn: This year you have a chance to become the winningest coach. How do you feel about that?

Nelson: I don't feel much about it. I'd like to get it out of the way so people would stop talking about it. Maybe I should take that as what it is. I really don't know what it means, maybe that I've been around a long time. Won a lot of games. Lost a lot of games. It is what it is.

Cohn: You say that a lot, it is what it is.

Nelson: I do. Because that's a fact. There's only so much you can do.

Cohn: So "it is what it is" means "some things are out of my control."

Nelson: There you go. Learn to be patient.

Cohn: Are you a great coach?

Nelson: I've been a very good coach. I don't know if you want to call me great.

Cohn: And you're proud of that?

Nelson: Yeah, you can write that on my stone - He was a good coach.

Cohn: I hope you last a little longer.

Nelson: I probably will.

Cohn: Tell me one thing that has been good about you as a coach and I'll put it on your tombstone.

Nelson: The thing that's important to me is my teams max out their ability. Maybe if I look back there'll be a team I was disappointed with, but I can't remember.

Cohn: You're not yet in the Hall of Fame. Is this something you think about?

Nelson: I don't feel I belong there so I'm fine with not being there.

Cohn: Why don't you feel you belong there?

Nelson: Because that's a place for greatness and I just feel I'm very good.

Cohn: Greatness might be an "A" and you might see yourself as a "B."

Nelson: Yeah. That's good.

Cohn: Just two more questions.

Nelson: Good.

Cohn: Am I boring you?

Nelson: Yes.

Cohn: What do you see yourself doing after you're done coaching?

Nelson: It somewhat depends on what they want me to do here. Eventually, I'm going to go to Maui and I'm going to live half my time in the Bay Area and half my time in Maui.

Cohn: Do you have a time frame?

Nelson: I'm going to coach two more years, this one and one more. I'm going to give the organization one after that but not as head coach. Whatever they want me to do I would do and then don't know after that.

Cohn: Thanks, Don.