"That's about the only good thing I've done this year," Nelson said, "and I hope that will continue for (next season). Morale has been good. ... After a tough loss, we come together and have a pretty good practice, and everybody gets along."

A few minutes later, Monta Ellis finished shooting and came to the sideline. He must have left his happy face on the floor. In a tense 2 1/2 minutes, he contradicted pretty much everything Nelson and the Warriors had said about him over the last two weeks. The comments might have been the best defense Ellis has ever played.