The Golden State Warriors were defeated by the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, 103-91. How bad are things in the Bay Area? Bad. It is hard to imagine things any worse for Warriors.

Sure you can hack it up to a variety of injuries crippling the Warriors depth. Yes they are an extremely young team. There was also the Stephen Jackson shake up with trade demands.

Trading the talented Randolph will cripple the Warriors long term. (Credit: picapp.com)

The Warriors are 7-17. They are rumored to be shopping Anthony Randolph, a player whose progress they are displeased by this season. This would be the worst move Golden State can make.

No one plays harder or with more hustle than Randolph. He oozes superstar potential.

Perhaps, with the playoffs already out of sight, the Warriors should start their younger prospects together and develop their skills for the future. When Randolph starts and plays big minutes he has proven he can be effective. With another lottery pick on the way, give the kids the minutes, and ship out the veterans who want out.

You can expect off nights while the kids grow up on the court, but the Warriors can afford to do this since they are already 7-17.

Perhaps Keith Smart should resume coaching duties, with Nelson sticking to the decisions made behind the scenes. The Warriors clearly played with more intensity with Smart making the calls.

Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry, and Randolph are the future for the Warriors. Trading any of these guys will be the biggest mistake in franchise history since the Chris Webber trade. If Don Nelson and management have any common sense, they will give Randolph more minutes, and continue to develop the core of him, Ellis, and Curry.

This is the best shot they have at a future. Period. Let Monta be the dominant player he is, and let the kids learn to play together. Sound simple enough, right?

Ellis is the cornerstone of the Warriors future. (Credit:picapp.com)

If they trade Randolph away the Warriors will once again prove without a doubt that they are more concerned with making money than winning.

As loyal as Warriors fans are, they can only take so much before they cease their allegiance.

Stephen Jackson is at a cross roads with the Golden State Warriors. After rescinding his captaincy, he has now taken things one step further, stating he would consider a buyout.

Jackson’s explanation for his relief from captaincy, according to the San Francisco Chronicle:

“I don’t want these young guys to try to follow me,” Jackson said. “I can’t be a role model to guys who make the same amount of money as me. … I think everybody is responsible for themselves, and that’s how it should be.”

We are a happy family, no seriously... (Credit: picapp.com)

I find this explanation to be an unbelievably, utter lie. Is this really the story he is sticking with?

He had no problem being a captain last season. None whatsoever.  Perhaps he is escalating this childlike tantrum by making as many waves as he can since the Warriors dismissed his prior request to be traded.

Maybe he thinks this will force their hand?

Don Nelson has a very good point: “We’re still going to try to accommodate him, but it’s not that easy to do”.

I have stated before in previous posts he should not have been fined, and at the time he should not have.  He was not saying anything on the court, or playing in a fashion detrimental to the team. Seems as though his immaturity has gotten the better of him, allowing his personal feelings to derail his and his teammates game.

His on court behavior against the Los Angeles Lakers in the preseason was detrimental to the team, and worthy of a much larger suspension.  Jackson committed 5 personal fouls and a technical foul in the 9 minutes of first quarter play. He was sent to the locker room and did not return.

The Warriors announced his suspension the next morning.

I am a professional... some of the time. (Credit: picapp.com)

What Stephen Jackson needs to realize is that he is a professional basketball player, keyword being PROFESSIONAL, meaning he gets paid to play basketball. Last time I checked it did not mean to make a mockery of the game, and disrupt your team.

In this worldwide economic state, why can’t Jackson simply shut up, and be happy he is getting paid $7,650,000 to play the game? To millions of Americans, that is a dream job that we would never consider jeopardizing.

On another note, is Jackson really so naïve that he does not realize that his erratic behavior on the court significantly hurts his value? Who wants someone capable of acting that stupid playing for them?

We all knew his shot selection is highly questionable, but this latest tirade is incredulous.

He claimed “I know there are a lot of teams that want me,” Jackson said. “I’m a good player. … I don’t know exactly what the conversations are, but I don’t think it’s as hard as people say it is.”

Who is going to want a player who hurts his team during the game, and then berates his team off the court in front of the media?

Jackson has all but destroyed his efforts to paint his image anew after his infamous 2004 brawl as Pacer in Detroit, or discharging firearms into the sky in 2006.

Here is the video, and thanks to youtube, I hope nobody ever forgets:

Stephen Jackson I ask you this: do you think the business executives running NBA franchises will look past this consistent trend in your personal history?

The business-oriented NBA could soon render the player once known as “Captain Jack” into the “former NBA player Stephen Jackson”.

Monta Ellis has recently gone on record stating that the back court combination of him and 2009 lottery pick Stephen Curry is not going to work. Without ever having played a game, Monta Ellis is publicly lashing out against the idea of two smaller sized players occupying the real estate in Golden State.

They say my brain might heal in a couple more years. (Credit: picapp.com)

Here is what he replied upon being asked about their coexistance:

“Us together? No,” Ellis said. “Can’t. We just can’t. … Just can’t.” Someone then jumped in and said to Ellis: “Do you understand, they (the Warriors and coach Don Nelson) say you can?” “They say you can?” Ellis repeated. “They say you can … but you can’t. I just want to win and you’re not going to win that way.”

Ellis might want to pull what I call “Doing The Stephen Jackson”: Using the media after landing a contract he would not be offered anywhere else around the league, then making his trade demands via the media, but doing this publicly is highly unwise. It diminishes his trade value in that he will be viewed as problematic for management..

There has been rumors of his unhappiness as a Warrior circulating around throughout the summer, and maybe his next move is to make the highly public trade demand a reality.

These rumors also have mentioned how Ellis was assured the Warriors would not select another guard in this draft. Maybe he is still hurt that the Warriors drafted Curry?

Honestly, who can blame the Warriors for selecting Curry? The kid appears to be a bit of a baller, oozing with talent, and might eventually prove to be the best player available in the draft class. He very well could blossom into being the next professional athlete in a long line to surpass their fathers careers.

Wait a minute! Where's Baron???? (Credit: picapp.com)

Is Monta’s brain damaged as a result of one of his most famous unwise moves? Does the famous moped incident have residual effects on his brain? Did these residuals cause Ellis to use his damaged “logic”skills and cite the good old days when Baron Davis was still a Warrior?

He says having a big PG with him is the only way for the Warriors to achieve success when the game slows down.

Does Don Nelson ever allow the game to slow down? Last time I checked, I believe not.

So without really saying it, Ellis ultimately declares, albeit indirectly, that he believes he is too small to play without a big guard there to protect him.

Now why can’t he just come out and say that publicly?

Anthony Randolph is ripping through the NBA Summer League competition. His 42 point explosion Tuesday insures that Randolph is no longer flying under the NBA radar.

He is averaging 26.8 points 8.5 rebounds 3 blocks and 2.2 steal, and 1.2 assists a game.

have all the defensive skills to own you Shard. (Credit: picapp.com)

Somewhere in Las Vegas Don Nelson is setting down his beer can, sitting up, while fighting his grog-induced double vision to take notice. Or perhaps maybe he sobered up this morning to the news of Randolph’s performance.

Anthony Randolph is an passionate kid. Be it slamming down tomahawk dunks, skying high to reject shots, and even while he ties his shoelaces, the man-child is incapable of not giving all of his intensity.

Anthony’s opportunities were diminutive last season as Nelson primarily focused on being drunk rather being patient with his talented rookies. Another loss, another can of Bud Light. You get the picture.

And you wonder why I drink? (Credit: picapp.com)

Randolph’s desire to succeed and play hard compounded these mistakes. He was his own harshest critic, but unfortunately he reprimanded himself while the game was still in progress. Frequently, he watched the game from the pine as a result.

Nelson questioned Randolph’s maturity.  Nellie spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle, publicly calling him out, leading to his further demise in the rotation: “We’re going to put him on ice for a while,” Nelson said, adding, “He’s just going to have to grow up.”

Upon the Warriors playoff window closure, and his practice habits meeting Nellie’s sloppy standards, Randolph started seeing the time needed to display, develop, and refine his game.

Coming soonto an All Star game near you. (Credit: picapp.com)

The current Warriors lineup is not that of a title contender. Why not let the kid play so that someday soon the core of Randolph, Stephen Curry, and Monta Ellis can develop into one? At minimum his energy, hustle, and abilities will entertain the Warriors faithful.

Randolph is playing so dominantly that if he is not named a starter, it is proof Nelson is drinking too much  and should be put on ice.

When the Golden State Warriors made Stephen Curry the 7th overall selection of the 2009 NBA Draft, Madison Square Garden erupted with booing and loud drones of disapproval. It was apparent why these fans howled in disdain: The best scoring prospect, capable of thriving in an up-tempo offense, will not be playing in New York next season. Instead, he will be thriving in Golden State’s run-and-gun offense.

Stephen Curry: NBA Rookie of the Year? (Credit: ESPN)

Don Nelson immediately addressed the media to muffle all trade rumors involving Curry as part of a multi-player deal to land Phoenix’s Amare Stoudamire:

“He can unpack his bags and relax,” Nelson said after welcoming Curry to Oakland. “He can buy a house. We drafted him because we think he’s a terrific player that fits right into our program. He ain’t going anyplace.”

Don Nelson has a reputation for being very tough on rookies, immediately yanking players for what he calls “dumb rookie mistakes”. Anthony Randolph is a great example of how a rookie can fall into Nellie’s doghouse swiftly. Randolph did not put forth the effort in practice that Nelson demanded, and quickly saw a dip in minutes during games. It was only after being mathematically eliminated from a playoff berth that Randolph saw the hardwood.

Based on Curry’s statements, the mentality ingrained into him by his father (16-year veteran Del Curry) will help him avoid such situations:

“I’m willing to learn and willing to take criticism and get something from it,” Curry said. “I know what I can do well and go out there and do it, and I’ll leave the rest to work itself out.” ESPN

Curry has all the crucial assets going for him to contend for Rookie of the Year.

He is a” lights out” shooter with unlimited range and great offensive creativity.
He is crafty beyond his years, and has a plethora of hesitation moves to shake defenders .
His off-ball movement and scoring impulses are excellent.
He fills passing lanes and finishes or passes to create shots for others.
His basketball IQ is the highest in the 2009 draft, and possibly the highest on Warriors roster.
He has a tenacious work ethic and his conditioning is strong.
Did we mention he is a “lights out” shooter?

Stephen Curry will have Warriors fans pumping their fists (Crdit: davissportsdelicom)

Stephen Curry’s conditioning, winning mentality, basketball IQ, clutch play, and NBA 3-point range are highlights of a solid NBA-ready resume–all attributes Don Nelson requires from of his guards. Having these intangibles will correlate directly to playing time. Based on these intangibles, Stephen Curry could very well start for the Warriors.

There is speculation how he and Monta Ellis can coexist as a back-court tandem for Golden State. Both have similar builds and styles of play. Neither of them are what you could call a true PG.

The unselfish attitude of Curry gives him distinct advantages over Ellis regarding the capacities of an effective point guard. He also appears to be a more vocal leader than Ellis, whom shies away from this role. Ellis has proven to be a black hole at times at the point. Offensive sets tend to start and finish with Ellis with few players getting touches.

Thay also differ most noticeably regarding their shooting range. Ellis simply cannot shoot the 3, while Curry is a long-range marksman. Curry seemingly possesses a dominant advantage when viewed through Don Nelson’s 3-point-lust-filled-eyes.

The bottom line is if these two players coexist, which is very possible, both should have solid seasons. Curry should see enough time to project anywhere from 15-17 PPG, 4-5 APG, a steal or two, and a very high FT%. Expect a high foul and turnover rate, but that usually is the case for any rookie in the NBA.

Curry has displayed his poise and leadership by putting a weak Davidson team on his back and carrying them to the NCAA tourney in 2008. Surround him with NBA talent and  no more triple teams will only make his life easier.

Look to see Curry put the “Warrior” back into “Warriors” soon, capturing the hearts of fans at Oracle Arena, and across the globe.