Is Nellie Returning?

by Fantasy Junkie on May 18, 2007 9:01 AM PDT in Links

Say it ain't so

What's this? Just a couple days after the Warriors get ousted from the playoffs Coach Don Nelson is not sure if he'll be around for next season. He did sign a 3 year contract but I guess this shouldn't be a surprise. The man was relaxing in Hawaii for a year and then endured the rigors of an NBA playoff season and postseason. Maybe it's the sting from the series loss to Utah, maybe it's that he just tired, maybe he just doesn't want to do it anymore. Whatever it is, I think it's just Nellie being Nellie. What would his final press conference of the season be like without the entertainment?

I'm kind of anticipating coming back, but I'm not sure," said Nelson, who turned 67 on Tuesday. "It's just whether I want to put my body and mind through another tough year or two. That would be the main issue."

"I think it was really important that I came here. I'm not so sure it's important that I stay," said Nelson, who has two years and $6.2 million left on his contract. "This is wonderful, but it's hard."

The players packed their bags and might be losing their coach

The players are certainly shocked and you can't blame them. I'm sure most of them are looking to build on this season and make a deeper run into the playoffs next year. In their minds, that run includes Nellie.

"I couldn't believe that," Stephen Jackson said. "It's shocking to me, but hopefully it's just the way he feels right now. Hopefully, by the time the season starts, he'll be on the bench."

"I hope and pray that coach does come back," said Davis. "We love him here. He's the reason why we made the playoffs, the reason why a lot of guys are happy and excited about basketball."

Nelson is giving himself until July 1st to decide. He's going to go back to Hawaii and talk things over with his wife, Joy, to decide on what his future holds.

Losing Nellie would be a blow to the organization. If he leaves, the Warriors would have to bring in their 3rd coach in as many years. That's a lot of change for the players to have to adjust their game once again. The team right now is built for Nellie's style of play. Mullin got rid of the slow guys and brought in more athletic players. He's going to rework the roster even further in the offseason to suit the small ball style. Next season won't be the same without Nellie, and right now, I'm predicting he stays.

Is he staying or is he going?

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I hope Nellie stays

Nellie has vastly improved our team and has warranted hella success this season. I hope he stays for the remainder of his contract. Nellie has already won the respect of many ever since getting his job back as Warriors head coach. Until July 1st, I hope Nellie gets his much-deserved rest and relaxation before the start of training camp for next season.

by Phil T28 on May 18, 2007 10:03 AM PDT reply actions

please stay

Not only has Nellie saved this franchise, setup an ejoyable system for both the players and the fans, etc. etc. but he is also one of the few MASTERMIND coaches left that have many MANY years of experience under their belt. He is one of the best assets any playoff team could have. Please come back Nellie =(

Marv Albert: "I ain't trippin'!"

by ZombieWarrior on May 18, 2007 10:51 AM PDT reply actions

What about the contract?

I don't understand. Nellie's got a 3 year contract.
If Nellie leaves in the middle, wouldn't that be breach of contract?

by ananthd on May 18, 2007 11:32 AM PDT reply actions

there's

probably specific clauses in his contract that pertain to his availability after the end of each season. contracts can be pretty weird

Marv Albert: "I ain't trippin'!"

by ZombieWarrior on May 18, 2007 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions

No

You can retire will under contract in the NBA and in the real world. What you can't do is go work for someone else.

by Psion on May 18, 2007 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes

He'll be back...I hope

by ViveAirFrance on May 18, 2007 1:38 PM PDT reply actions

I still don't get it

If the Warrior's fire Nelson, they most likely will have to pay him something or the remainder of his salary. But if Nelson fires the Ws he goes scot free? Personally I think Nellie is just bargaining for leverage here as well as to deflect the media from the Utah series.

He might have an opt-out clause for 'retiring', but I have lost a little bit of respect for Nellie here. He knew he 'was going to be 67, not 66', before he inked a 3 year deal.

by ananthd on May 18, 2007 1:46 PM PDT reply actions

Just because you know

how old you're going to be next year doesn't mean you know how the intervening year is going to affect you. In other words, Nellie needs to do what's right for him now rather than what he thought would be right last year.

I hope he stays, but I want him to want to stay. As far as leverage goes, well, he's earned it.

Be a drinsch!

by Dactyllic on May 18, 2007 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions

i hope

Nellie stays. Tim Kawakami was on KNBR the other day with Rod, and they were talking about how mental/physical exhaustion affects what a person says. Tim said that this was probably the case with Nellie. He just needs some Maui sun for a few weeks, and hopefully he'll come back.

by Caught Backcourt on May 18, 2007 3:17 PM PDT reply actions

We all hope he stays

but gaining that much weight from all that stress...Maybe he can take a 1 year break or something. Jeff Van Gundy just got fired...we can uh..hire him or something XD. I don't mean to offend anyone

by chili01 on May 19, 2007 12:52 AM PDT reply actions