What is Don Nelson doing?

First, he he blasts his star player in the San Jose Mercury News, saying Baron Davis is “too heavy to play my style of ball. He’s got to get thinner.” Maybe that lights a fire under B-Diddy, or maybe it just alienates him before training camp even starts.

That’s not all, though. Nellie then said he wants to go with a small lineup this year, playing Mike Dunleavy at the four and Troy Murphy at the five. “(Dunleavy) basically struggles at small forward,” Nelson said. “He can function better offensively against the fours in the league.” That may be the case, but what happens when Dunleavy is stuck trying to guard Kevin Garnett or Elton Brand?

And lastly, how do Warriors fans feel about their team going small when they just spent the ninth pick in the draft on 7-foot-2 Patrick O’Bryant, who is better suited for the half-court game?
: Dime Smack, Dime Magazine,

zshook wrote:What is Don Nelson doing?

First, he he blasts his star player in the San Jose Mercury News, saying Baron Davis is “too heavy to play my style of ball. He’s got to get thinner.” Maybe that lights a fire under B-Diddy, or maybe it just alienates him before training camp even starts.

That’s not all, though. Nellie then said he wants to go with a small lineup this year, playing Mike Dunleavy at the four and Troy Murphy at the five. “(Dunleavy) basically struggles at small forward,” Nelson said. “He can function better offensively against the fours in the league.” That may be the case, but what happens when Dunleavy is stuck trying to guard Kevin Garnett or Elton Brand?

And lastly, how do Warriors fans feel about their team going small when they just spent the ninth pick in the draft on 7-foot-2 Patrick O’Bryant, who is better suited for the half-court game?
: Dime Smack, Dime Magazine,

Maybe restructuring to get Greg Oden? *shrug*

This shouldn't even be an issue. Nelly didn't say anything controversial; he just said what everyone already knows.

Baron Davis isn't fat; he's too muscular. The guy's built like a tank. Nelly needs a point that can fly, not one who can run over other guards. Baron will probably drop 5-10 pounds during training camp. No biggie.

You think that Dunleavy was offended...? You don't think he reads the papers (or see's what anybody says about him online)? Everyone knows he's been a bust so far (including him). Nelly's trying to find a way to help him; he wasn't insulting him.

And Nelson's small ball lineups have never meant the total disregard for taller players. O'Bryant and Biedrins will still get their share of minutes.

This dude needs to calm down.

zshook wrote:What is Don Nelson doing?

First, he he blasts his star player in the San Jose Mercury News, saying Baron Davis is “too heavy to play my style of ball. He’s got to get thinner.” Maybe that lights a fire under B-Diddy, or maybe it just alienates him before training camp even starts.

That’s not all, though. Nellie then said he wants to go with a small lineup this year, playing Mike Dunleavy at the four and Troy Murphy at the five. “(Dunleavy) basically struggles at small forward,” Nelson said. “He can function better offensively against the fours in the league.” That may be the case, but what happens when Dunleavy is stuck trying to guard Kevin Garnett or Elton Brand?

And lastly, how do Warriors fans feel about their team going small when they just spent the ninth pick in the draft on 7-foot-2 Patrick O’Bryant, who is better suited for the half-court game?
: Dime Smack, Dime Magazine,

Nelson is definately being direct but he better keep positive communication with the players or it will all go to the shiit.

Dunleavy is weak anywhere the bastard players!

Looks like the Centers will be bench warmers this season and probably for as long as Nelson is around if his attitude in this article is the way he is always going to go. A dam shame

#32 wrote:You think that Dunleavy was offended...?

No because the fagget has no shame!

#32 wrote:And Nelson's small ball lineups have never meant the total disregard for taller players. O'Bryant and Biedrins will still get their share of minutes.

I can see all the Centers getting little court time and Murphy getting the bulk of the Center minutes. Something I don't agree with!

migya wrote:Looks like the Centers will be bench warmers this season and probably for as long as Nelson is around if his attitude in this article is the way he is always going to go. A dam shame

I don't think so. We'll probably see a lot players at the position, with no clear cut starter (unless Murph really pans out there). They will all share minutes there.

I think we have a versatile lineup, we can adjust to most teams style!

Small lineup:
BD, Monta, JRich, Ike, Biedrins

Big lineup:
BD, JRich, Ike, Murphy, O'Bryant

We'll probably rotate Murph around at PF and C, leaning center. Hopefully Foyle's minutes are minimized, and Biedrins and O'Bryant will share the C minutes left over by Murphy.

John Patrick wrote:I think we have a versatile lineup, we can adjust to most teams style!

Small lineup:
BD, Monta, JRich, Ike, Biedrins

Big lineup:
BD, JRich, Ike, Murphy, O'Bryant

We'll probably rotate Murph around at PF and C, leaning center. Hopefully Foyle's minutes are minimized, and Biedrins and O'Bryant will share the C minutes left over by Murphy.

At the very least, I want to see Biedrins play a fair bit!

We all remember Nelson playing small lineups and the Centers not playing alot so the possibility is that it might happen again

Agreed, on the other hand Biedrins and O'Bryant are fairly athletic so they might be useful in our lineup.

I think Biedrins will see game minutes. POB will see them, too. From the sidelines.

Just because Nelly's favorite lineup is the small ball lineup doesn't mean it'll be the ONLY one...

Does anybody remember Shawn Bradley? Talk about an undeserving tall guy getting too many minutes! Nelly has no gripe will tall guys!

#32 wrote:Just because Nelly's favorite lineup is the small ball lineup doesn't mean it'll be the ONLY one...

Does anybody remember Shawn Bradley? Talk about an undeserving tall guy getting too many minutes! Nelly has no gripe will tall guys!

But Bradley was about the only big guy on that Dallas team that got minutes!

If Murphy shoots the outside shots well enough and rebounds like he has been, Nelson may want him in their most of the time at Center.

Never know though. Hope Biedrins gets a chance to produce at least

The bottom line is that Nelson will produce a winning ball club. If that's done by playing Murphy at center, than why not? If playing Murphy in the middle (albeit, not as a traditional center) produces results, than why worry about how many minutes Biedrins will be getting?

I say, we'll worry about who gets left out of the system when the system proves to be flawed.