Robert Rowell the Golden State Warriors Team President has now pretty much taken over GM duties from Chris Mullin. Mullin is a just a walking zombie for the Warriors organization until his contract runs out over the summer. Just before the season began Rowell gave Don Nelson a two year contract extension to coach the Warriors.
Here's what Rowell has been quoted as saying, “We’re elated that Don has elected to sign an extension. He has proven to be one of the most successful and innovative coaches in the history of our game, and his continued presence on the sidelines is certainly a prominent asset for our team and organization.
"Our fans and players enjoy his entertaining style, and we all look forward to the day he establishes the NBA’s all-time wins record for a coach.”
So, by Rowell's reasoning Nelson was given the contract extension because he's close to breaking Lenny Wilkens's record for most career victories. The fact is though it seemed that this year would be Nelson's last year on the bench.
The contract that was given to Nelson to sign had nothing to do with Chris Mullin, but instead it was Rowell. Not to say that if the Warriors performed well this year that Nelson wouldn't have earned a contract extension from the organization. Although, it appeared that at the end of this season Assistant Coach Keith Smart would become the Warriors next coach.
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Those plans were changed once Nelson was given the contract extension. So far this season the extension is just another horrible decision by Rowell. He's also the man that was repsonsible for not approving the contract extension for Baron Davis.
The Warriors are currently 5-12 on the season. With the losses mounting for the Warriors it's becoming even more clearer that Nelson just doesn't have what it takes and that the basketball world has passed him by.
First of all Nelson's rotation has been a mess. Yes there has been an injury to one of their best players in Monta Ellis but there's no excuse for the way Nelson uses his bench. It's never anything consistent.
For example Nelson would start a player they'll play for about five to six minute in the first quarter and won't see action again till the fourth quarter.
On a sidenote: The Warriors did put up a great effort against the Celtics. Some bad foul calls against the Warriors changed the momentum of the game to the Celtics, and Nelson didn't do a thing. The Warriors also need a coach who is also willing to stand up to the officials and show his young team some respect.
The second thing is that Nelson stated he would be playing his young players more. That has not happened yet. Both Brandan Wright and Anthony Randolph have shown flashes for what they can do, yet haven't gotten any consistent minutes.
A third issue is that the Warriors do not come out to play against teams they should have won. Most notably losses twice to Memphis once on the road and the other at home, Chicago which at the point in time didn't have a road win, and a struggling Philadelphia team.
Lastly, the problem with Nelson has been the team's complete lack of effort on the defensive end for the full 48 minutes. It all came together tonight with the lack of defense against the New York Knicks. A team the Warriors should have beaten rather easily. The Warriors gave up 82 points in the first half, yes 82 points in the first half on 61 percent shooting.
Warriors fans now know where Rowell's head is. He's more about a coach's individual record then fielding a team that's going to be competitive. The only hope Warriors fans can have is that Nelson starts preaching better defense otherwise it's going to be a long season.
The only good news though is that the Warriors aren't too far behind from the number eight spot for the playoffs. Only three games out, but if the Warriors continue to play like this the team is going to contending for the number one pick in the draft.
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about 1 month ago
Great article. I appreciate your writing man. To tell you the truth, I would rather be contending for a number pick in the draft than seeing them edge on to the playoffs this season. Talking as a passionate fan here, I am extremely sick of this losing streak. It sometimes gets depressing. Rowell has already destroyed the team with Jackson and Nellie's extension. Back to the losing seasons again. However, this may be the worst so far. At least with the J-Rich (my fav. player) era, we did see some competition. Now, they look like they're giving in! Oh, and despite all this, Nellie will keep going his stupid course encouraging small ball and CRAP.
Thanks for the article.
Have a look at my article if you have time man.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/87295-watching-the-golden-state-warriors-is-becoming-painful
about 1 month ago
Dude, Your calling extending Nelson a bad thing? That's stupid as can be. He is the only coach with the last 14 years to take us to the playoffs!
It's not the fact that he's a bad coach (he's a good coach), the wind in the warriors sails has faded away.
The warriors have been doing kinda well, the thing is, their sched sucks
from about 1 month ago
It has nothing to do with their schedule. I believe extending Nelson's contract was a horrible decision along with plenty of other fans. Nelson wasn't even thinking he was getting an extension. It was just Robert Rowell exerting his power over Chris Mullin.
Warriors fans are getting frustrated with the substitution methods that Nelson uses. He'll put in the young guys they'll play well and then leave them on the bench. I don't think Nelson is a bad coach I think that the Warriors were in need of a change after this season.
Even before the start of the season and during last season it was talked about that this season would be Nelson's last with the Warriors and Keith Smart would take over as coach. Of course Rowell changed the outlook by extending the contract of Nelson.
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