The All-Nellie Team

by Ormolov on Feb 9, 2008 10:52 PM PST

So watching Al Harrington play in the game against the Kings tonight, I thought:

"Here is the prototypical Don Nelson player. Long, active, physically gifted. Shoots the three. Wiry strength he uses to effect against larger slower players..."

I then wondered what the All-Nellie team would look like. Unlike the NFL's All-Madden Team, no blockheads will be found here. Only men with proven records in the prime of their careers, built like the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz, and generally between 6' 7" and 6' 9" (Nowitzki being the notable exception). They are hungry and emotional and creative. They find the Princeton Offense and the Triangle too constraining. They can run all night long.

None of us get votes. Not the fans, not the coaches. Only Don Nelson in his infinite wisdom gets to choose the All-Nellie All-Star Team. If The Don was choosing, who would be on it?

In my estimation, there is no such thing in today's NBA as a perfect Don Nelson player. Either someone is too short or too heavy or too careless with the ball. But still, what a team he would make!

I thought to order my selections as most All-Star teams do, by position. But then I realized how foolish this would be on the All-Nellie Team. If every player can't play both point and center, then they don't deserve inclusion.

So I just ranked them instead:

Shawn Marion
Baron Davis
Dirk Nowitzki
Josh Howard
Steven Jackson
Joe Johnson
Gerald Wallace
Al Harrington
Manu Ginobili
Kevin Durant
Rajon Rondo
Leandro Barbosa

Who am I missing? Who on this list doesn't deserve the honor?

(Interesting result of the experiment so far: the least accomplished of the players I listed is Rondo. Why is he on there? Because apart from BD, you couldn't trust ANY of the other players to consistently run your offense. But who else in the league is a Don Nelson point guard? I figure Nash, Kidd, and Paul have always been too small for him...)

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!

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Comments

Um

LeBron James? What am I missing? You couldn't create a more Nellieballish player if you were God.

And where the heck is Kevin Garnett? Is he not long enough, not skilled enough, or not intense enough?

Something tells me Nellie wouldn't bench a starting 5 of

Paul
Kobe
LeBron
Garnett
Duncan

In favor of guys like Rondo, Jackson and Durant. Just a hunch.

by Sleepy Freud on Feb 9, 2008 11:57 PM PST reply actions

Spacehook?

Would you consider Manute Bol on the All-time All-Nellie team?

I pray i never have to use a gun again.

by ssmokinjoe on Feb 10, 2008 12:01 AM PST reply actions

my simple definition of a Nellie player

is a versatile defender who has the speed, strength and athleticism to guard multiple positions on defense; and talented and aggressive on offensive.

Josh Smith
Kevin Garnett
Gerald Wallace
Tyrus Thomas
LeBron James
Josh Howard
Baron Davis
Stephen Jackson
Al Harrington
Tracy McGrady
Al Thornton
Kobe Bryant
Dwayne Wade
Desmond Mason
Corey Brewer
Travis Outlaw
Ron Artest
Chris Bosh
Jamario Moon
Paul Millsap
Andrei Kirilenko

by jlagace on Feb 10, 2008 12:07 AM PST reply actions

starting 5

PG Baron
SG Kobe
SF LeBron
PF Garnett
C Bosh

but that would be alot of people's top starting 5 actually, not just Nellie

by jlagace on Feb 10, 2008 12:52 AM PST up reply actions

definiton of nellie player

is a versatile player on both ends of the floor, who can rebound, shoot 3's, being agressive going to the bucket, can post up smaller defenders, and can defend multiple postions.Preferbly 6'7 to 6'10 guys. Nellie would love guys like Marion, G-Wallace, Andrei Kirilenko, Antawn Jamison, KG, Josh Smith, Josh Howard, Lebron, Joe Johnson, Stephen Jackson, etc on his team.

My All-Nellie Starting 5
C-KG
PF-Shawn Marion
SF-Lebron
SG-Joe Johnson
PG-Baron Davis

i hope we win a championship soon

by Da Jrich tribute on Feb 10, 2008 12:32 AM PST reply actions

i think

his starting would be
PG:Wade
SG:Kobe
SF:Lbron
PF:Dirk
C:D12(or Shawn Bradley!)
With baronas sixth man of the year

by GSwarrior on Feb 10, 2008 1:20 AM PST reply actions

Dirk

I don't see him as an "ideal Nellieball player". He's a little too one-dimensional on offense, and a little too soft and slow on defense.

by jlagace on Feb 10, 2008 1:26 AM PST up reply actions

Dirk is a Nellie player through and through

People like to define a Nellie player mostly as versatile and run oriented. The truth is that the primary characteristic of a Nellie player is someone who creates a mismatch at his position. Dirk's a 7ft jumpshooter. That description right there screams Nellie-ball.

I pray i never have to use a gun again.

by ssmokinjoe on Feb 10, 2008 1:54 AM PST up reply actions

I think

that the ultimate Nellie player would have been Magic Johnson

by curtischin on Feb 10, 2008 2:28 AM PST reply actions

good call

by jlagace on Feb 10, 2008 3:17 AM PST up reply actions

Delete the word "Nellie"

And throw in Bird and Jordan. Then I'm right with you. ;-)

by Sleepy Freud on Feb 10, 2008 7:16 AM PST up reply actions

My Squad

PG Davis - Hardaway
SG Ellis - Richmond
SF Mullin - Jackson
PF Jamison - Harrington
C Biedrins - Gatling

by gambinofam on Feb 10, 2008 8:24 AM PST reply actions

warrior centric much?

by AJC3317 on Feb 10, 2008 1:26 PM PST up reply actions

i don't think you

can really define a "nellie player" because i don't really think that term exists to be honest. Nellie simply likes people who are good at playing the game of basketball. Nellie simply likes a player that has talent and he knows how to put his players in positions to succeed and utilize his weapons and take advantage of mis matches. I'm sure he would love to have Yao Ming, do you know the mismatch problems he causes in the post? Lebron, Kobe, Duncan, KG, Dwight Howard, Amare, Shaq in his prime you know are at the top of everyone's list i wouldn't expect it to be different for Nelson.

Shawn Marion is very versatile and athletic, but i don't think have the type of one on one offensive skills that nelson likes in his players. Al Harrington isn't a perfect match, nelson doesn't even want to start him.

I would say this though...

with your definition of a "prototypical Don Nelson player. Long, active, physically gifted. Shoots the three. Wiry strength he uses to effect against larger slower players"

I would say that if there were two players with equal skill level or value around the league and one of them fit this mold a little better than nellie would favor him.. i will say that. If Nellie thought that Shawn Marion was the absolute best NBA player in the league or whatever, he would probably be a Warrior right now.