Nellie Loves Dajuan Wagner

by Fantasy Junkie on Oct 8, 2006 11:36 PM PDT in Links

Tim Kawakami recently visited Warriors training camp to get a look at the team, and came away with one major observation, Nelson loves Wagner.

Don Nelson is going ga-ga over Dajuan Wagner, plain and simple. This is not subterfuge or false trumpeting on Nelson's part in the early days of Warrior training camp.

He just loves Wagner, the 6-foot-2 legendary high school scorer who hasn't played in two years after stomach problems led to a diagnosis of colitis which led to the removal of his colon last year...

You want to play for Nelson? Make shots when others aren't. Ba-da bing, Wagner-who looks in great shape and says he can do everything he used to-is the apple of Nellie's eye.

Honestly, I really didn't expect much from Wagner this year. He seemed to be just an afterthought, but he's pushing his way into getting more minutes which means Monta will have to fight a lot harder for the minutes. Just coming back from his stomach problems that knocked him out for 2 years seems like a great feat, but to be able to step in and play a prominent backup role in Nellie's system is a big step. If he can play the point and backup Baron, the loss of Fisher could be negated.

If Wagner's minutes increase, will that cut into Monta's? And if so, is that a good thing?

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whatever it takes

I love Monta I am a huge fan of him...but just do whatever it takes to win. If Wagner can out perform Monta then so be it! After listneing to his KNBR interview I already knew he was "ga-ga" for Wagner. I really hope Wagner does perform well and maybe he'll even get comeback player of the year? who knows.

by djchuckdeez on Oct 9, 2006 12:10 AM PDT reply actions

yes!

i totally agree. theres nothing wrong with a little healthy competition. if it makes monta better and improves our chances for a winning team then by all means let him play! im just opposed to letting a high priced player (dunleavy) play 30 mins a game without having really done anything other than take a ton of money!

by jmorales on Oct 9, 2006 6:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Monta and Wagner Combo

I think this would be a great combo ....and will give Jrich and BDiddy some well rested minutes. No more worrying about Fisher turning the ball over and getting out played by other PG.....also....we have a more reliable backup backcourt.......which is a great thing.

by buddarifik on Oct 9, 2006 7:25 AM PDT reply actions

Monta + Wagner

It's like a poor man's Mike Bibby/ Bobby Jackson backcourt. For short periods of time it'll drive opposing coaches and teams absolutely crazy. That's a lot of speed.

It's gonna be fun.

by Atma Brother ONE on Oct 9, 2006 8:12 AM PDT reply actions

Not so poor

If all of the comments I've been reading about Wagner are legit, down the road we might be referring to Bibby/Jackson as a poor man's Ellis/Wagner. I'm excited about seeing how they can mesh together and how Nelson will use them.

Either way, it is nice to have 6 solid guards on the team (including the guy from Utah).

by chrisz42 on Oct 9, 2006 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions

J-Rich's future

Nellie's drooling over Wagner, but I haven't heard much praise for J-Rich...I hope this doesn't cut into his playing time.

by reppin the bay @ Golden State Of Mind on Oct 9, 2006 8:16 AM PDT reply actions

gaurds

whoever is playing good weather it be wagner, ellis , jrich or baron or even zarko for that matter. they will get minutes. especially the gaurds don nelson is known for running with 3 and 4 gaurd lineups. if wagner and ellis both deserve to play then they will play it is going to be fun. me and some dude named "MoUpInTheO" said a while ago when they first signed him that we had a funny feeling that he was going to be a big contributor and a fan favorite. we haven't played yet but it looks like we could have been right.

by travisl212 on Oct 9, 2006 8:30 PM PDT reply actions