Question for the Crew: Will Nellie Return?

by OaktownWarrior on Jul 31, 2007 1:30 PM PDT

Hey folks,

A few pessimistic thoughts have been invading our community since the devastating news of recent days (I must say, since learning that KG will be a Celtic, I don't have quite the same spring in my step), but the most disheartening thought I have heard is the presumption that, now that we are not quite a championship contender, our dear coach Don Nelson will not return to guide our run-and-shoot brigade. Can there be any truth to this rumor? (Or, as AtmaBrotherOne promises, can we take solace in the fact that 99% of rumors are untrue?)

Personally, I can't quite imagine that Nellie requires KG to continue coaching. A few more million dollars in his contract should suffice. He still has a competitive team with a nice point guard, some exciting swing players, a promising young center, a potentially-awesome rookie power forward, and the possibility of further additions between now and the beginning of the season. Plus, he can live in the Bay during the season, he has his buddy Mullie at the helm, and most of all there is the big question - what else is he going to do?

(Now, I do have some friends who are big fans of the Celtic Nation who have been wishing for Nellie to come east for a year or so now. The Celtics are not built for Nellie-ball, and I can't imagine him selling us down the river in such a way. In fact, I will say nothing more of it.)

If Nellie goes, I may be tempted to become a leprechaun-lover, for no other reason than Boston has my two of my favorite players - KG and Leon Powe. But for now, I am still excited. I love B-Diddy, Barnes, and Steve Jax. Monta and Beans still have a ways to grow. Wright has potential. Bellinelli may be what we have been looking for.

I'm hoping for the best with all of this, but I'm interested to hear what you think. Does anyone have information to share on this?

Poll

Will Nellie leave?

I'm thinking the Celtics may bring him home.

3 votes

I can't even think about this (puke!)

13 votes

No way! We believe!

20 votes

Maybe. Maui is calling.

16 votes

52 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

0 recs | Comment 14 comments

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Comments

I

honestly think it's a 50/50 chance that Nellie walks. If we would have been able to land KG he would have definitely stayed. I believe that he does want to coach a contender and right now as it stands we are a worse team then at the end of the playoffs. We lost a huge piece of our team for a PF who probably won't contribute much this year. It's going to be tough to make the playoffs because I think both LA teams, NO and potentially the Blazers are all going to be a lot better then they were. Although I want Nellie to be here more then anything, I have a gut feeling that he isn't going to return.

by J Rich 4 MVP on Jul 31, 2007 2:04 PM PDT 0 recs

Now it seems

like the warriors havnt done anything this off season except trade j rich for a higher draft pick.

by BiedrinsORBust on Jul 31, 2007 2:14 PM PDT 0 recs

All about the $$$

I think it all depends on money. I'm sure he'd love to have a chance at a championship, but somebody (Option Z?) dropped a nice diary about how insanely difficult it is for a team to elevate to that level, and I'm sure Nellie knows that. But he also knows he's underpaid. If they fill his wallet, he'll be back for another season--or at least half of one. I could see him retiring mid-season if the W's implode.

by ffgolden on Jul 31, 2007 2:23 PM PDT 0 recs

if it was about money

which is what all the sportswriters were writing only 2 weeks ago, then I think it would've been done by now

I've said all along that he'd stay if the roster were upgraded, he had a chance to build on last year - maybe even go for a ring, but otherwise not as likely to return

I was wrong about Biedrins never becoming a player, hope I'm wrong again about Nelson

by hardcore on Jul 31, 2007 2:31 PM PDT 0 recs

Agreed.

I don't think it's all about the money. It's an upgrade of the roster. Nellie is more realistic than most of us. He knows that the Warriors weren't likely to acquire Garnett (just a matter of odds, when several teams invovled), but he probably has an understanding with Mullin, that the Warriors roster will be improved upon this off-season.

Right now, the Warriors are a worse team than the one which was in the playoffs. I think Mullin still has two or three major player transactions in him, and then you'll see Nellie sign. Hopefully.

by San Francisco Slim on Jul 31, 2007 2:55 PM PDT up 0 recs

Who knows?

My logic is this: Nellie knows that, no matter what, the Dubs are not going to win the championship next year. Even if they had acquired KG, they would maybe have been a contender, but I think it would still have been a longshot.

So if it's not about getting the ring, why would Nellie care whether this turns out to be a 40-win team or a 50-win team? At his age, with his experience, what's the difference? Is it the fun-factor of winning some extra games? I just don't see it.

It would indeed seem like he would have already been paid more by now if it were really just an issue of salary. But we have no idea whether Cohan wants to pay him more, possibly due to their contentious past when it comes to money. We also don't know what stage those negotiations ever reached; hell, they could be haggling as we speak, or they could have instead agreed to negotiate on X date. It's not like he's a free agent, who can be signed away to another team.

But again: who knows?

by ffgolden on Jul 31, 2007 3:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

You're all wrong

None of you guys remember that diary somebody wrote a while back that Nelson's history is to do his own thing and leave teams that are about to do become great? Nelson would have left had we netted KG but now he's more likely to stay now that the odds are against the team again.

by saintfloppy on Jul 31, 2007 2:49 PM PDT 0 recs

I hope you are right

There is nothing like the courage of your convictions. Maybe it is your "saintly" connection. I like your idea.

It is definitely true that Nellie's tenure in Dallas ended like you say - he had to leave to make room for the championship-calliber team. However, with the Warriors, I think we are still a couple of jumps away. You might grade NBA teams on a scale of 1 to 10, the 10 being dominant, 7 being competitive, 8 being dynamic and 9 being spectacular. We are probably a 6 or 7 as currently constituted, with the chance of being an 8 by the end of the summer.

With KG, I think we would have had a shot at a 9, with the chance at a 10 if BelliNellie is our Ginobli.

It's hard to read Nellie, though. He definitely acts in a counter-intuitive way a lot of the time. We'll have to wait and see before deciding if your insight is "divine."

by OaktownWarrior on Jul 31, 2007 7:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

he will stay here

if i know something about people
he will stay

-this is team what he made from ashes
-he loves basketball
-he loves nellieball (Warriors are still perfect for that)
-he can earn a good money
-he loves us

by Lat We N Trash on Aug 1, 2007 12:24 AM PDT 0 recs

and we love him.

by Proof on Aug 2, 2007 12:21 AM PDT up 0 recs

People, hes coming back...

relax and just consider some of the following...

1. Nelson came to this team with the glimpse of the playoffs far off in the distance...so what, a year later he's going to walk because he doesnt have a shot at a championship anymore? I keep hearing that since the KG deal didnt go down, its a good reason for Nelson to retire.

Why would he sign a 3 year deal almost a year ago to coach a team that had nothing to show for itself...only to just quit because we didnt immediately transform ourselves into champ contenders in the off-season all for his benefit? Why does this seem to make sense to so many people but me???

2. It is about the money. Remember when the Warriors signed our rooks and the media questioned Nelson's employer about the current status regarding his contract? The man replied,
'none of your business." The writer also included that it was a bit snappy and rude. We ALL know how touchy rich men get over their money and their politics...

It seems to me that Nelson has clearly stated a desired number, and he is not backing down from it. Im speculating that theyre just trying to wait him out, and hopefully fish out a deal for less money.

Nelson had the best season of his career last year, so he says. Why would he not want to come back for more? Do you hop off the roller coaster ride half-way through??
What kind of incomplete non-romantic, Fu**ed up legacy would Nelson leave behind, if he were just to leave and never show his face again in the NBA? He would be riding off into the sun-rise instead of the sun-set...I dont see Nelson as a guy that just backs down and stays down. Leaving now would leave an empty void within.
As mentioned before, Nelson loves to prove people wrong. He would take it upon himself as something personal to challenge critics and bring this team back to the playoffs, even deeper this time.
The man loves to coach too much. He loves the game too much. This is good for him, good for his health and his family. What? hes going to go back to the beach and sip scotch under the sun all day now?

Come on, Mullin just gave him the keys to the franchise! Hes even telling the GM what to do! Nelson is Alexander, Ceasar, Ghengis Khan, Attilla the Hun, Vlad Dracula....he has absolute power, and he has the absolute attention from everyone in the bay area.

7. The Chris Webber thing may have some kind of sub-concious effect on Nelon's decision to come back in the first place. I think he still feel's bad about the situation and feels he might have a score to settle, or that he owes it to the fans and the chise...who the hell knows.

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Aug 1, 2007 4:00 AM PDT 0 recs

hahaha

i highly doubt that if nelli doesn't come back to coach us he won't coach any other team. where have you heard that it is a possibility that he coaches boston? and nelli can coach any team. he makes the style of play suit his players.

by Proof on Aug 2, 2007 12:18 AM PDT 0 recs

i think i worded that wrong

i meant to say. if he doesn't come back, i doubt that he will coach another team. he will just be chillin in hawaii.

by Proof on Aug 2, 2007 12:19 AM PDT up 0 recs

the boston idea is all speculation

apparently there some articles in the boston press, pre-murphleavy trade, that nellie would abandon g-state and come back to the promised land in beantown. i think it was a largely sentimental push, given that nellie played in boston, won championships there, etc. hopefully the dream has no chance.

by OaktownWarrior on Aug 2, 2007 6:34 AM PDT up 0 recs