Since Monta's Return
i don't post much on here, but i read everyday. haven't seen anything on this posted yet, so hope it's not a redundant post.
this is the last thing i ever expected, but since his return from injury, monta ellis has shown much improved defense.
his mid range game has not quite been there yet (killer 4th against blazers aside), but he's been best defender at times (turiaf is a beast). he still gets beat on the occasional play, but his effort has improved tenfold and he has been key to starting fast break or regaining posessions.
keith smart as d-coordinator is starting to pay dividends and many key warrior scorers are buying into this. crawford and magette have been better than past seasons. azabuike seems to have improved. watson has been better but is still atrocious at times. as stated before turiaf is a beast. hell, the last few games, even randolph's defensive effort has been superb. thanks to team defense, the fast break that was lacking is finally here. hope it sticks around rest of the season. realistically don't think playoffs are in reach, but i would like to see team finish with 35+ wins.
has there been any mention of ellis studying smart or silas while he was hurt? he seems to understand where he should be much more often.
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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I have to say, that’s largely been my impression too: Monta looks a lot sharper on D than last year. The numbers would seem to bear that out — his offensive numbers are terrible, and yet we outscore our opponents by 2.8 points per 48 when he’s on the floor thus far. Obviously that has something to do with Jack’s hot streak… still, it would seem that Monta is doing something right out there.
i'd have to agree....
i also forgot to a degree how pesky he is, grabbing all loose rebounds, steals, help d.
At this point I view anything he does as a plus, but lets hope he has some professionalism and works hard over the summer.
Everyone remember dwade last year? Looked off, injured, alot of people said he was overrated. Monta is no Dwade, but he could bounce back like him and prove he’s worth more than 66 mil
I cant agree totally
I am a big supporter of Monta but thats what Ive noticed he’s lacked in since his return.. his D…..his energy on the floor is tremendous, his aggressiveness is there….but it seems he still gets beat on the screens and losses his defender frequently….i love monta and know he is just playing himself back into game shape and form…
On the other hand his presence alone has brought back the we believe feeling so i wouldn’t trade him for anything…..
Good post, I’ve been noticing this too. We’re playing alot better defense nowadays. In fact, we’re giving up only 106.5 points per 100 possessions to opponents with Monta, as opposed to 112.3 points per 100 possessions earlier in the season without Monta.
But this might be attributed to many other factors as well. We’ve been playing Turiaf (a monster shotblocker and defender) at center instead of Biedrins lately. We also stopped playing Rob Kurz and started playing Anthony Randolph more. Whatever the reasons are, I’m glad the defense is picking up.
A huge reason is
Because CJ Watson isnt on the floor as much, and hes probably in the bottom 5 of worse defensive players in the league.
monta on d?
the way a 35 yr old steve nash ran circles around him? yup i guess.
warriors dont fish they hunt!
by VonteegoCummings on Feb 17, 2009 1:11 PM PST reply actions
that 35 year old steve nash you mentioned happens to be the 3rd best pg in the league
name 5 players that can stop him
"so much losers" - hiero
by montamazing on Feb 17, 2009 11:02 PM PST up reply actions
+1
baron
cp3
maybe deron? (doubt it)
ehh i got nothin,
not unless you wanna put shooting guards up there,
point guards aren’t known to be shut down defenders to me.
by seven72deuce on Feb 18, 2009 1:29 AM PST up reply actions
I always thought...
Given Monta’s quickness and speed, I always thought he had the physical ability to be a solid defender. He just needed better defensive instincts such as being a better help defender and staying in front of his man on the perimeter and even creating more pressure against the opposing offense.
Stop gambling so much too.
"Monta is the MAN." -Bob Fitzgerald
by WarriorForLife on Feb 17, 2009 10:18 PM PST up reply actions
Monta's defense has not been up to par this year so far
He is a step behind the other premier guards and cannot stay in front of them. I think his athleticism brings a lot of positive energy to the court, but that doesnt make him a good defender.
He suffers greatly on the defensive end from not playing in college. Offense comes easy to anyone with talent. Defense only comes through practice and fundamentals.
Dont think Nellie doesnt care about defense just because he wants to see an open, offensive game. Would you want Nellie to sit Monta because his defense isnt as good as his offense? No way. You take what you got and try to outscore everyone.
monta's defense is much improved
the main point of my post was that i noticed monta’s defense is much better than it was last year. i don’t think he is a premier defender, but i think he is much improved. i don’t think he’ll make first or second team all defense, but i do see him using his quickness on the defensive end because it leads to easy buckets and makes his offensive game that much better. i do think his effort has vastly improved over years past and overall, since his return, the activity level for many warriors has been much better. basically, monta is not perfect, but his defense has certainly not been a liability since his return, and that is not something you could have said about him last year.

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