A week ago I asked Don Nelson to name his starting five. He named C.J. Watson as point guard and he's already ditched that idea. Stephen Curry is the man because he can push the ball up the court. Whether he and Monta Ellis can guard anyone is another question.
Last week Nelson said Corey Maggette is the starting power forward, a chilling thought. I was at practice today and asked Nelson to name his starting five including, of course, power forward. We had this interaction.
Cohn: I have a feeling some things could have changed. Could I trouble you to tell me the five starters for the opener?
Nelson: I'd rather you go to the game to see who's playing. Is that OK?
Cohn: I'm going. I was hoping in addition to going you might tell me today.
Nelson: Why don't we just wait?
Cohn: So from a week ago to today it's a different five names.
Nelson: I forgot the names I gave you.
Cohn: I could give you the names and maybe you could tell me if I'm right or wrong.
Nelson: There's 15 guys on the team, 14. I don't know. It will be five of those guys.
Cohn: I'm going to follow up. Who is your starting 4 (power forward)?
Nelson (laughs): I'm smarter than that.
Cohn: You're not smarter than me.
Nelson: I'm smarter than that question.
Cohn: So you don't want to say.
Nelson: I think I've said enough. I told you I'm starting Curry.
Make of that what you will. Maybe Nelson is starting Maggette, big mistake. Maybe he's starting Anthony Randolph, although Randolph played with the second string in practice today. Maybe he's starting Ronny Turiaf, not a bad idea.
Final thought. Nelson always seems down on Randolph, won't give the guy a break. I disagree with Nelson on that one. To read my column on the Warriors click here.
even if it's true, why would you tell don nelson you are smarter than him? makes you seem a little full of yourself.
He didn't, he said Nelson was not smarter than he was. Big difference.
Interviewing coaches is pointless now. I understand you guys have to do it, but they never say anything of value and when they do, it's a lie.
Marcus Thompson tweeted earlier that Turiaf was getting the nod at the 4. Very happy it's not Maggette. I do hope Randolph gets back in the starting lineup once he's healthy.
So Nelson wants to keep Houston guessing about the starting lineup...how despicable!! How dare he want to keep that information to himself...
I don't know whether you see it, but you come across as childish & petty in your dealings with Nelson & Singletary. Nelson I can understand, but this has been happening to you way too often with the Seymour incident and whatnot. It might be them, but the fact that it's always concerning you is not a good sign.
Watching the interview on CSNbayarea, it sure seems like Nelson is being playful while you're getting annoyed & upset - thus overreacting. Steinmetz pretty much has to cut you off because you can't just let it go.
Not getting straight answers and hearing cliches is the path you chose by becoming a sportswriter. If you think that's unfair to you or the readers then you're incredibly naive.
Follow Marcus' example. He gets a "I'm not writing your story for you" comment, but he doesn't lose his professionalism by acting like a child himself.