OK, I have not been a Jackson fan. But if he will play the rest of the season, or as long as he’s a Warrior, like he played tonight, I can become one. I have no idea what happened in the few hours between the Kings game and the T’Wolves game, but whatever it was worked. Sure, it was against a bad team, but this is the way the Warriors can become at least competitive against better teams. If you can’t rebound, then run. If you’re going to run, then move the ball around. If you can’t run because of a made basket, then still move the ball around. I hope this game proves to the W’s that teamwork pays off and that the 1-on-1 game gets you embarassing losses. 15 assists for Jax, 22 steals, 146 points, balanced scoring. Are you kidding? Did the whole team finally say, “Alright then, let’s do it Nelson’s way”?
Based on tonight’s game, Acie and CJ need more minutes. We know what CJ can do, but Acie has had two really good games in a row. I hope Nelson gives him a chance to see if he can keep it up.

To put it simply, the Warriors played great team basketball last night. They were making the proper reads, moving without the ball, hitting cutters, all the stuff you look for a team to do. The first 5 games, this wasn’t the case. Sometimes it just takes some time to get into the flow of things, and I think this should be a good starting point to improved play (though the Wolves being bad was a big factor last night, so don’t expect this team to look like a championship contender – rather, they’re just a better team from the 29 win team last year).

SOrry to rain on the parade but I just don’t see it. I was at the game last night and saw some things that still really concern me.
First we beat up on a bad team, with bad players and missing there 2nd best guy. Yes I know we were missing Biedres and Turiaf, etc. But do you think if we played the same style same unselfish ball we can really compete with the good teams?
Also, I don’t know if anyone else paid attention, but did you notice in the 3rd quarter when Nelson took Ellis out of the game with a 30+ point lead, he was pouting? He walked off with his head down, threw his little finger covering off at the scorers table, barely gave high fives, and slumped on the bench with his head down. Russell Turner went over there and sat talking to him for about 5 minutes while Ellis stared into space.
No granted later on Ellis went back in the game and came out happy with a 40+ point lead, but that was only after his #1 man Jack had talked to him for a bit.

As to your original point I both agree and disagree. Jackson is a very good player with a lot of talent and ability. He unfortunately has way too much influnce on the mentality of the team. He is gone, at some point, so I feel it’d be best if there was a way to make it happen sooner than later so we can figure out what we’ve really got. Ellis is by far the most influenced player on this team and I think it is hurting him.

I’ll be willing to think of Jackson as a leader when he shows a willingness to make personal sacrifices for the benefit of his team on a regular basis. Last night’s game was good – great even – but he has to show me that he understands that this sort of effort is what the Warriors need every night; not just hustle, but smart hustle.

The things he says and the things others are saying regarding bad chemistry, etc. indicate that he doesn’t really get this. Even the BD quote regarding Jackson being the “heart and soul” of the team does more to indicate Davis’ leadership than it does Jackson’s; it was Davis who came to him and told him that he needed Jackson to step up. Davis, at first glance at least, put himself in a subordinate position to appeal to what is best in Jackson, making a small sacrifice to get the most out of his team. Jackson’s willingness last night to be the passer rather than the shooter seems to represent such a sacrifice. I have to wonder what prompted it; who spoke with him? what motivated the change? will we see more of it regularly?

I would not be surprised to hear that Monta, Turiaf, Beidrins, or even Maggette had something to do with it. Jackson is charismatic and influential, but almost every other player on the team is a better leader in my estimation.

When the foul calls go our way, we can play actual defense, get steals without being whistled for fouls. This allows us to get on the fast break for easy layups and dunks. Those type of baskets seem to get everybody clicking, the overall offense runs smoother. Need evidence this is true? Look at the previous game at Sac.

Everything changed in the second quarter, when we had somewhere near 14 fouls called against us and the kings only had 2 or 3. The team couldn’t defend, get blocks, steals, or any stops at all. The kings lived at the line, this killed our ability to run the game at our tempo. When we are forced to play slow, or in the halfcourt, Monta, Maggette, and Jack become black holes, ball movement dies. All bad!!

Honestly, the refs have really played a huge role in our season thus far. If AR’s block on Ariza was called properly, we would’ve had a 4point swing, and won. The calls will not go our way on this road trip, the only possible win I see is against the Knicks who will try to run with us.

As much as I loved last night’s game, I’d be leery of regarding it as a real turning point. We’ve had two other decently and unselfishly played games, against Houston and Memphis; both were followed by horrible, listless performances. And we may not face another team all season as weak as Minnesota last night… next time we play them, they should have Love back, and Big Al will probably be more up to speed.

I see no reason why this team shouldn’t be somewhat competitive in Oracle. Even if Nellie’s coaching stays this absurdly hands-off (the politest way to phrase I can think of), it’s possible that the players will be sufficiently fired up by the home crowd to hustle and share and hit some shots and win some games. Even in the nightmare that was last season, we somehow scraped out a winning record in Oracle last year. Good vibes were in abundance yesterday, and that can’t hurt. But the road is not kind to a team whose only strategy is “tiny happy people”. Nor are bigger teams, and we’ll be facing a bunch of those in the near future. Even if we play better from here on in, with better teamwork and energy, this team is still too small and too defensively undercoached to succeed. With this roster and this coach, 35 wins seems like a pretty firm ceiling.