Kawakami drills the ODB on the state of the young core

[Sid the Squid]

Nothing on Goose though...But you want to know what Nellie's thinking? Here it is..

http://www.mercextra.com/blogs/kawakami ... you-think/

[Twinkie defense]

Brandan's really got his head on straight. He'll be huge for the Warriors down the line.

Some very interesting nuggets in there. I'm glad Nellie says what he thinks.

[Yi Jian Lian]

Loving Bwright...good game today though...nice to see cro play like a pro

[Mylie10]

Finally some clarity from ODB.

Favorite quote; "I don't really like bulky guys" So Karl Malone couldn't play for Nellie, hmmm.

[KR4]

Finally some clarity from ODB.

Favorite quote; "I don't really like bulky guys" So Karl Malone couldn't play for Nellie, hmmm.

HA! So Nellie doesn't like himself then? Must be why he drinks so much!

[Chris Cohan]

Nothing on Goose though...But you want to know what Nellie's thinking? Here it is..

http://www.mercextra.com/blogs/kawakami ... you-think/

I like the part when he threatens to bench Monta if he doesn't play defense. And the part where O'Bryant is bad because he's not consistent.

Meanwhile, Jackson played 36 minutes last night and Baron took 8 lazy 3's.

He should just start throwing his Depends at the post-game media bank instead of opening his mouth.

[hamncheese]

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I like the part when he threatens to bench Monta if he doesn't play defense.

Nelson uses a double "not" - "I

[Chris Cohan]

Quiet, you're killing the bit.

[GuitarMan]

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Nelson uses a double "not" - "I

[GuitarMan]

Sorry, redundant post...too slow.

[Chris Cohan]

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Thank you for pointing that out for the reading is fundamental crowd.

I don't know why folks bother to post articles if guys are just going to make up their own quotes.

poo poo.

[Head Leader]

Note to patrick: stop trying to score. focus on defense/rebounding/protecting the rim only...

after Don leaves, Then work on your O... your 21 for god sakes.

[bballguy50]

POB and Kosta? Its too close to call who's ass is more numb on the bench.

[Souvlaki]

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I like the part when he threatens to bench Monta if he doesn't play defense. And the part where O'Bryant is bad because he's not consistent.

Meanwhile, Jackson played 36 minutes last night and Baron took 8 lazy 3's.

He should just start throwing his Depends at the post-game media bank instead of opening his mouth.

Baron and Jackson are beyond controlling. Nelson is just trying to keep them somewhat productive and "content" and he's done an excellent job at that, getting the best out of these flawed players.

Now Monta on the other hand is young and hopefully impressionable (if he hasn't hung out with the malcontents too long) and Nelson has to at least TRY to get him to play a little defense sometimes, even if it might be a largely empty threat.

BTW, I decided last night that Monta is just not trying on defense. It has nothing to do with lack of skills. No one with his quickness is that bad unintentionally.

[Sleepy51]

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BTW, I decided last night that Monta is just not trying on defense. It has nothing to do with lack of skills. No one with his quickness is that bad unintentionally.

Following in Nash's footsteps?

[Souvlaki]

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Following in Nash's footsteps?

Not a really good comparison (I know you were just trying to tweak me) because Nash knows how to play defense, but lacks the skills that Monta has. I'd never fault a player for lack of skill, lack of effort on the other hand...

Again, the screen-and-roll is his nemesis.

That quote is for 510, who knows nothing about defense.

[FNQ]

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That quote is for 510, who knows nothing about defense.

All hail Nelson, God of defense

What was his solution to Tay getting screened again? "He has to be able to get to his man, no switching"

Agreeing with Nelson defensively....

[Sleepy51]

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No, I wasn't "tweaking" you (ewww)

I was making a pertinent point using Nash as a comparion.

What skill exactly does Monta have and fail to use that Nash lacks? Are you talking physical tools? Nash is an extremely physically gifted athlete with some of the best agility and lateral quickness in the league. There's no difference in strength (and Nash might have the edge actually just from physical maturity) He doesn't have Monta's flat out speed (which isn't all that big a deal for defense) but he has no lift. Other than blocking shots, Nash has all the requisite tools to be competent at staying between his man and the basket. He doesn't because he leaves defense to his teammates (or the gods.) It's not a matter of him being incapable. That's BS. He's no more incapable than Monta.

Frankly, if we're finding fault and measuring effort, Monta tries harder on D than Nash. When a player gets a step on Nash, he hands them off and heads back down to the offensive end without a second thought. He is possibly the worst defender that starts at the PG position in the league, and no way is that because of any physical or "skill" limitation.

I'm not saying Monta deserves a pass when he blows an assingment because Nash get's one. That wasn't the point. The point was that there are worse defenders who clearly benefit their teams, and it's a borderline irrelevancy if Monta continues to show 25ppg on >50% efficiency.

It's a weak nit to pick from the get go, especially with how his game is developing. Then trying to lay it on a effort fault and generate some faux outrage is just gooberish. Monta's bad at D because he's played exactly 2 years of basketball against high level competition or athletic peers. Do you really think he learned anything about D in high school or riding the pine with Monty? He's got a ton to learn about the game at this level and adjustments to make, but trying to pin scarlett letter on him at this stage and say he's bad because he doesn't care is lame.

[Souvlaki]

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All hail Nelson, God of defense

What was his solution to Tay getting screened again? "He has to be able to get to his man, no switching"

Agreeing with Nelson defensively....

You mistake not emphasising defense with not understanding defense. Yeah, it would be helpful if Monta at least tried. Last night he got screened by the invisible man. That was pretty funny. Funny and sad at the same time.

[Souvlaki]

[quote="Sleepy51"][/quote]

Monta has been on a professional basketball team for 3 years now. I would've expected him to pick up a thing or two. The "he came out of high school" excuse will only last so long.

And honestly, does it matter if he scores 20 per game if he gives up the same number on the other end. Right now, he's been so incredible offensively, that I can live with his lack of defense, but if he comes down to earth, IF that happens he could end up a liability like he was early in the season.

Nash is as quick as Monta? Really? I don't buy that, but whatever. Yeah, I do hear you that Nash does dog it alot but even if he tried, I doubt he would be an average defender.