Team USA Snub

by warriorsscore110 on Jul 20, 2009 12:53 PM PDT

The entire summer buzz has been about Anthony Randolph destroying the Summer League competition and subsequently getting to try out with Team USA.

Are we forgetting about are BEST player and the player that represented the Warriors in the USA Select team last?

Monta Ellis had a horrible year last year on and off the court. Destroying his ankle on a moped Monta Ellis destroyed his opportunity of becoming our point guard and our team leader. Most of the news and articles about Ellis last year were about his off court drama, from the moped injury to the Rowell versus Ellis in the contract voiding issue, and Nelson versus Ellis on whether he was a point guard or not. Last year was a major step back for Ellis and this franchise.

However this summer there has been very little buzz about our franchise player, our 66 million dollar man. Lest take a look back at Monta Ellis and how he became our franchise player

	Games	MP	FG%	3PA	3P%	FTA	FT%	REB	AST	STL	TO	PTS
05-06	49	18.1	.415	1.7	.341	1.2	.712	2.1	1.6	0.7	1.2	6.8
06-07	77	34.3	.475	1.9	.273	4.6	.763	3.2	4.1	1.7	2.9	16.5
07-08	81	37.9	.531	0.6	.231	5.1	.767	5.0	3.9	1.5	2.1	20.2

Monta Ellis was the Most Improved Player in 06-07 as a 20 year old. Monta became one of premier players the following season, including a nutcase February where he shot over 60% from the field. Monta Ellis did return to court last season and did alright, considering the fact that he was recovering from a major ankle surgery and he hadn’t had a chance to go to go thru a training camp.

	Games	MP	FG%	3PA	3P%	FTA	FT%	REB	AST	STL	TO	PTS
08-09	25	35.7	.451	0.3	.308	3.8	.830	4.3	3.7	1.6	2.7	19.0

However those stats don’t do justice to how much Monta Ellis recovered. Ellis came back and played 13 games and did ok, but didn’t show his usual explosion. It is important to point out that the Warriors did go 7-6 and were playing better basketball at the time. Ellis shut it down for about 3 weeks and came back looking like the Monta Ellis that we are used to seeing. Here were Ellis’s stats for the last 11 games he played last season.

	Games	MP	FG%	3PA	3P%	FTA	FT%	REB	AST	STL	TO	PTS
--	11	37.4	.493	1.2	.200	4.1	.867	4.5	4.4	1.5	2.8	23.5

One thing Monta Ellis is known for his is his renowned work ethic. If his speed is back to 100% and he has been working on his passing skills and his defense, Monta Ellis might finally be ready to take that step to superstardom and lead our team to the post season. Is this overly optimistic? Probably. However let’s not forget about our best player and franchise player.

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

So are you trying to say that Monta should’ve been selected.

It is the shoes!!!

by LighTz707OuT on Jul 20, 2009 1:00 PM PDT reply actions

He doesn't deserve it

He has mature problems and fell off a Moped.

Lil Wayne- Told Y'all

by Sinigang on Jul 20, 2009 1:04 PM PDT reply actions

and that has to do with his basketball skills how?

You know I spit technique to the freshest freak
Gimme a call you will see results in just a week
With the soul of a LOST HAWK
Is there a heaven for a Rap Cat, let's talk

by LostHawkGSW on Jul 20, 2009 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Cause you are reppin Team USA.

Lil Wayne- Told Y'all

by Sinigang on Jul 20, 2009 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

And Lebron is any better? He is the biggest poor sport I have seen at that level.

There are tons of example of far worse offenders than Ellis who make it onto any of the USA teams.

You know I spit technique to the freshest freak
Gimme a call you will see results in just a week
With the soul of a LOST HAWK
Is there a heaven for a Rap Cat, let's talk

by LostHawkGSW on Jul 20, 2009 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions

no he isn't

until the last game of the eastern conference finals, he really showed no signs of immaturity. If you compare breaching your contract by riding a moped, then lying about, complaining about how severe the punishment is, on the verge of demanding a trade, being a terrible sport to the fans, continually being immature, never apologizing to the fans to being a snob for one of the first times after losing the eastern conference finals because your teammates played terribly…….. well your far off.

Marco Belinelli's Biggest Fan

by montadaboss on Jul 20, 2009 6:47 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Well lets see.

Ellis signed a 66m contract.
Ellis was in a freak accident.
Ellis got scared and reacted how any un-educated child would, by trying to lie about it (he is sub-high school educated).
Ellis was given a punishment but the team was shady enough to hold his contract over his head and say that he could be kicked off the team at any time, having his contract voided.
Ellis said that that punishment was enough, and that the contract should be safe.
Ellis wanted to be traded so he would not have to deal with a shady organization.
Ellis was angry at the FO, and being young and un-educated, took it out on everyone.
Ellis came back from injury and was playing well (~22/4/4-25/5/5).

Did I miss anything?

You know I spit technique to the freshest freak
Gimme a call you will see results in just a week
With the soul of a LOST HAWK
Is there a heaven for a Rap Cat, let's talk

by LostHawkGSW on Jul 20, 2009 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions

How is the organization shady? Monta broke the legal agreement that HE signed. WHY did he sign it if the conditions were unjust?? He thought it was fine, when he signed it!! What bullsh** on his part. He made an agreement to protect the organization’s 66 million dollar investment. If you’re paying that much money, you OWE them to live up to it. If the organization doesn’t impose the penalty, they just open the door for other players to mooch off of them, instead of protect the investment made by the organization. The organization is beholden to stockholders and is REQUIRED to protect THEIR investment.

by Naticus on Jul 20, 2009 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

rec'd

by Golden Boy on Jul 20, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions

“And Lebron is any better? He is the biggest poor sport I have seen at that level.”

Leaving the “Lebron is/isn’t a poor sport” argument out of this…exceptions are made for people like Lebron. Monta Ellis is not a good enough basketball player for exceptions to be made on his behalf.

by Missing Barry on Jul 20, 2009 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Jesus Christ. How can this still be a big deal to anybody?

Rafael Rodriguez: #8 on our list and batting .326 in Scottsdale...which I believe has be renamed Rafaelsdale.

by BrianBokake on Jul 21, 2009 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions

monta ellis is NOT our franchise player anymore...

we don’t have a franchise player this season.. next season, if he progresses like i think he will, it will be Anthony Randolph

I KICKED IT WITH JESUS ONCE.. HE'S KIND OF A PRICK

by DMJR on Jul 20, 2009 1:21 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

If he returns to form, he’s our best player. It seems you’re just arguing over the definition of franchise player.

by Missing Barry on Jul 20, 2009 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions

it's just a game.
www.bayareascores.com

by Slicker on Jul 20, 2009 1:33 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

cmon

move on buddy!!!

by stevenro59 on Jul 20, 2009 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Nobody knows who Monta is right now ...

If he comes back to be as good as he was two years ago, then he’s a potential franchise guy (albiet with a catch). I mean, he’s really, really, really good.

But he’s been injured, and the way it was handled led to some questions about his maturity. More to the point, nobody knows if he is, or ever will be, that player again.

One could choose to get upset about the “snub” – but it might be more worthwhile to acknowledge the legitimate reasons for leaving him off, and to not stress about it.

by Ronaldinho on Jul 20, 2009 1:53 PM PDT reply actions

then he’s a potential franchise guy (albiet with a catch). I mean, he’s really, really, really good.

whoa. would you say Kevin Martin & Ben Gordon are potential franchise guys who are really, really, really good? because their stats are all pretty similar (make sure to look at TS% so as not to get fooled by Monta’s 53% FG%) even though Monta plays on a team with a much faster pace and he’s by far the worst defender of the 3. he’ll always be a liability on defense b/c he can’t defend the staple of NBA offenses (ball screens). (btw, i actually first noticed the similarities in their numbers when Gordon got his contract and i was all ‘wth?’ and was about to write a post on how overpaid BG was in relation to KM & ME).

i’d say Monta pre-injury was a good offensive player with the potential to be a fringe all star (someone whose name is mentioned, but he never makes it). i’m pretty sure you’re kicking yourself for using the word franchise, since i’m sure you know there are very few franchise players. they consist of guys named Lebron, Dwight Howard & Wade not Monta.

by homer simpson on Jul 20, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Kevin Martin is a really, really good player player. I think he’s on par with Monta, perhaps a bit better. Ben Gordon is not as good as either of them.

by jae on Jul 20, 2009 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions

ah, well i guess our definitions of franchise player just differ (assuming that is the context of really, really good player established by Ronaldinho).

it’s difficult to find guys who are exactly on par with any player. with BG & KM was to give a range, one player who was slightly worse career wise (not last year) statistically vs one who was slightly better career wise statistically.

i wouldn’t presume to flatly say Ben Gordon is not as good as either player. there is the admittedly subjective side of things like defense and dealing with double teams that i felt went to Gordon. i don’t know whether you feel differently or whether you base your analysis of players solely on statistics, but i don’t feel grouping the 3 at a similar tier is a stretch by any means.

by homer simpson on Jul 20, 2009 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions

good

Monta doesn’t get a freak injury and can condition with a nice steady progression to camp

Ellis could come in with an even greater motivation to “show them” if he feels snubbed

if USA had taken Monta, they’d likely not have also taken AR

AR is going to be playing with and against high caliber players – pushing his development

AR is going to come in with improved confidence, polish, and stamina to start the season

sounds perfect …

by hardcore on Jul 20, 2009 2:05 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

They could have still taken AR

They should have selected Monta instead of Bayless or Westbrook

by myk on Jul 21, 2009 6:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Team Captains in the Future

Monta Ellis
Stephen Curry
Anthony Randolph

Lil Wayne- Told Y'all

by Sinigang on Jul 20, 2009 2:13 PM PDT reply actions

good stat breakdown

thanks…monta is a great player, but on a championship caliber team he should be the 2nd or 3rd best player.

by joegiant on Jul 20, 2009 2:19 PM PDT reply actions

He's like what Ray Allen is to the Big 3...

just a sidekick.

by Curry on Jul 20, 2009 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

He’s like what Ray Allen is to the Big 3…just a sidekick

Ray Allen isn’t a sidekick. He is a key component of their core. He in his own right is a star. Ray Allen> Monta Ellis

Marco Belinelli's Biggest Fan

by montadaboss on Jul 20, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

When the Big 3 is mentioned,everyone talks about Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

I don’t know it’s just me.As good as Ray Allen is,they only know him for his shooting,while KG and Paul are everything to the franchise as they say.

by Curry on Jul 20, 2009 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions

In the case of Allen, being known for just his shooting (although an inaccurate portrayal of his game) should be enough. There was not a more efficient scorer in the league.

by jae on Jul 20, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Just like Monta is known for his flashy drives,Monta is an efficient scorer as well...

by Curry on Jul 20, 2009 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Allen had a ridiculously good TS% of 62.4 last year which was better than Wilt Chamberlain had in all but 2 of his 18 seasons ….I assume thats what jae was talking about. Monta’s career high was (a still very, very good) 58%

Thing A

by sam23 on Jul 20, 2009 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow...

TS% 62.4

I didn’t realize it was that good. That’s crazy.

Thing 2

by olympicmike on Jul 20, 2009 11:49 PM PDT up reply actions

So would you trade

Monta for Ray than?

GSOM- Where Education From Debate Happens

by The Dedication on Jul 20, 2009 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions

If Ray Allen was the same age as Monta with the same contract, I don’t think anyone would even think twice about giving up Monta to get him. That’s not the case. The reasons we would not trade Monta for Ray are contract/age issues, not current basketball ability.

by Missing Barry on Jul 21, 2009 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions

+1

Thing A

by sam23 on Jul 21, 2009 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Hopefully us drafting Curry

is a sign that we are going to trade Ellis away.

by Golden Boy on Jul 20, 2009 2:21 PM PDT reply actions

So Monta is the most hated Warrior now? LOL.

Anyways, i’m not mad that Monta isn’t on the squad. He still needs to prove himself first, he can’t expect everything handed to him on a silver platter; the league still needs to see how good he does without Baron Davis. Last season was more of a “recovering” year for him, so it was kind of hard to tell how good he really is/isn’t.

by Precise Films Productions on Jul 20, 2009 3:33 PM PDT reply actions

So Monta is the most hated Warrior now? LOL.

Yeah, the little scrub ruined our season

" I hear the ancient footsteps like the motion of the sea
Sometimes I turn, there's someone there, other times it's only me
I am hanging in the balance of the reality of man
Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand."

by Skeptic con Urquell on Jul 20, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions

no

mullin ruined our season with his horrible contract. We could have signed someone less injury prone and better for what we’re paying him.

rowell ruined our season by not allowing Baron to return.

maggette ruined our season by being constantly injured and sucking.

then finally ellis ruined the season.

by saintdee on Jul 20, 2009 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions

We could have signed someone less injury prone and better for what we’re paying him.

Presumably you meant Monta by “him”. No, we could not ahve signed someone else for what we’re paying him. When we signed him, we were at the cap and used the Bird exception to sign him. His cap hold before was tiny (about a million). If we had not signed him, we would have had nothing to show for it.

by jae on Jul 20, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions

mullin ruined our season with his horrible contract. We could have signed someone less injury prone and better for what we’re paying him.

I didn’t realize Chris Mullin was still playing…. and i doubt that an imaginary player on this roster can ruin a season with his bad contract. And if hes not playing he cant be injury prone…..

Marco Belinelli's Biggest Fan

by montadaboss on Jul 20, 2009 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Mullin??

Mullin tried to resign Baron, which theoretically would’ve gotten us another good year at least. Most people agreed that was a good move. Also, Mullin was the guy who found people like Morrow and Randolph. In those cases, he really saved the season from being a complete failure. Also, the ENTIRE organization agreed to sign Maggette. I think his coming off the bench gave us a few more wins, really. I think he’ll do the same next year. He’s overpaid, but he’s a good pickup. Monta was supposed to be our great up and coming player. He failed to live up to his obligations to the organization, and in the process, failed the fans. Thankfully, Morrow stepped up in his absence. He gave us a couple more wins as well.

by Naticus on Jul 20, 2009 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions

lol he really is

I think it’s kind of funny though how you can see peoples personal thoughts reflect on their basket ball thoughts. When they liked him he was our “up and coming franchise player”. Now, he’s “terrible and really has no game”.

by 123707THIZZ on Jul 20, 2009 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

I have faith - I am a warror fan after all

Monta will be fine. He is an excellent player who is still young in many ways but has the talent and skills to to be a star in this league. If he and AR have good chemistry on the court then we may have one of the highest scoring duos in the league in a couple years.
I’m excited about Curry and Morrow but am not as quick to move on to our guards of the future as others on this site seem to be. I’ve seen flashes from Morrow but not enough playing time to know if he’s the real deal and with Curry – he’s been great against weak college players but NBA defense may not allow his game to flourish for some time. Whereas with Monta, and the numbers above back this up, he’s been very good for some time and great at other times. Even when he came back from the injury I saw moments of his explosiveness. What I did not see was joy – the passion he showed in his first couple years – but winning solves all and hopefully this season it will.

by tjmax on Jul 20, 2009 3:49 PM PDT reply actions

I saw that Glen “Big Baby” Davis was invited, but will not be attending. That was all I needed to know to realize that these invites are largely worthless measures.

by jae on Jul 20, 2009 3:53 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

He was probably only invited, because he’s a Celtic.

by Naticus on Jul 20, 2009 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions

not playing because he is a free agent and its too much of an injury risk.

by NaturalBornBaller on Jul 20, 2009 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions

did you not see that Jerryd Bayless was invited?

Thing A

by sam23 on Jul 20, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I missed that. That doesn’t suggest that they’re really terribly discriminating in who gets an invite.

by jae on Jul 20, 2009 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Monta>>Bayless

by myk on Jul 21, 2009 6:49 PM PDT up reply actions

yes, and while adding extra >>>>>>>>s doesn’t actually change the meaning of the statement at all, I wouldn’t be against throwing at least a couple more of them in there.

Thing A

by sam23 on Jul 21, 2009 7:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Monta is still our franchise player..

Anthony Randolph has the most upside because he’s not there yet.. Monta STILL has upside and he’s already shown signs of greatness.. Seaaaason hasn’t even started.

by dez4o8 on Jul 20, 2009 4:12 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

+1

In 3-5 years we will have a dynamic duo of Ellis and Randolph. Curry will be solid and Morrow will be our off the bench sniper.

Rookie: "Why did you bench me?"
Nellie: "Your a rookie"

by dubzfan on Jul 20, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Honestly, I hope Curry takes Ellis place at the 1 and Ellis gets traded for a great 3 to replace the aging Jackson in the future. I’ve lost my enthusiasm for that kid. Too selfish, immature and too bad a passer. Too small to play the 2 with Curry at the 1. Unless we had another B.D., I don’t want Ellis at the 2. Otherwise, I would want him there, simply because I respect his enormous talent.

by Naticus on Jul 20, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions

One thing Monta Ellis is known for his is his renowned work ethic.

In what…. Grammar?

Marco Belinelli's Biggest Fan

by montadaboss on Jul 20, 2009 6:56 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Awesome Job!

rec’d,

keep up the good work, there is also a couple more slight gramatical errors in there. Point them all out and use them to make the connection to why Monta is worse than Marco now. : )

Thing B

by warriorsscore110 on Jul 20, 2009 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

This is still Monta's team

At least for now and I dont think he should have gotten a team USA invite this year. If he comes back full monta plus some he should be on the team automatic if he wants. I might sound like a homer but I think Monta is as good as Brandon Roy. Like was stated about we really only say about 10games of 90-100% monta. So yes snub is reflect of his injured season but something tells me hes going to comeback with a fire thats going to shock alot.

by Warriorfan on Jul 20, 2009 7:12 PM PDT reply actions

There’s no way he’s as good as Brandon Roy. Roy is a better defender and a great team player. Ellis has a great jumper and fast break ability. Can’t think of anything else he does well.

by Naticus on Jul 20, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh, he can take it to the hole well due to his speed. Kinda redundant with fast break but…

by Naticus on Jul 20, 2009 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions

I might sound like a homer but I think Monta is as good as Brandon Roy.

You sound like a homer. Monta isn’t as good as Roy.

by jae on Jul 20, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Anthony Randolph is the new Franchise player

Monta blew his chance by riding a moped into the sunset. Superstardom is a stretch, but a star he is.

Welcome to the Warriors, Stephen Curry, the 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year.

Panda's and Curry in the Bey Area. Who would've known?

Conductor of the "We're Back!" Bandwagon!

by ejdacanay on Jul 20, 2009 7:47 PM PDT reply actions

Randolph looks great and I love AR,

but he has done nothing that matters yet. Monta did for 2 years and had a bad year last year. I still think he is the guy that takes us to the promise land if we ever get there.

Thing B

by warriorsscore110 on Jul 20, 2009 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions