DeMarcus Nelson gains edge at point for Warriors

[CameronCrazy06]

Warriors Coach Don Nelson said he is approaching tonight's game against Lietuvos Rytas at Oracle Arena like a dress rehearsal for the season opener Oct. 29. Then, reluctantly, he named his lineup for tonight, the final exhibition.

Stephen Jackson will start at shooting guard, Corey Maggette at small forward, Al Harrington at power forward and Andris Biedrins at center.

And, at point guard, DeMarcus Nelson.

Not Marcus Williams, the former understudy of NBA star Jason Kidd. Not C.J. Watson, the returning backup who knows, and fits, the system best. If the season started today, Don Nelson said he would go with the undrafted rookie, the training-camp invitee who wasn't even the point guard at Duke.

"That says a lot about DeMarcus," Jackson said after Monday's practice. "That says a lot about his work ethic and not about how Williams has been playing. Coach knows exactly what he wants and what he needs for this team while Monta (Ellis) is out. Right now, it looks like DeMarcus is what he's looking for."

But, Don Nelson said, it does say something about Williams. It perhaps also illustrates the team's uncertainty at the position since losing Baron Davis via free agency.

The Warriors signed Williams in July to back up Ellis, who was anointed Davis' successor. When Ellis was knocked out of action by an ankle injury, Williams was expected to step in as the starter. Having been a star at Connecticut and a first-round draft pick by the New Jersey Nets in 2006, he had the most credentials of any point guard on the roster.

But just over a week before the season opener, he hasn't impressed Nelson enough to win the job.

"I expected more," Nelson said. "We haven't seen it yet. It's getting late."

Williams said he has been hesitant and the offense was "a lot more complicated" than he expected. Now that he's gaining comfort with the offense, Williams has been more vocal and aggressive. Nelson said Monday's practice — in which Williams flashed his passing ability, created his own shot, even posted up — was his best yet.

"I think I definitely can be doing better," said Williams, who in four exhibitions has made just 4 of 14 shots. "I'm trying to find my way more so, and it's taking longer than I would've expected. If I'm not (the starter), that would be my fault."

Watson figured to be the starter if Williams didn't claim the job. He said he likes the progress he has made. He gained experience in Nelson's system last season, and he's the quickest of the three point guards. But Watson acknowledged committing too many turnovers. Also, his shot hasn't been falling (he's 1 for 6 from three-point range).

Plus, there's that other obstacle Watson has to overcome, being 6-foot-2, 175 pounds. Nelson likes big point guards.

"I'm trying to be aggressive at all times," Watson said. "Trying to get to the paint and make something happen for teammates."

The shortcomings of Williams and Watson have created an opening for DeMarcus Nelson, and he has capitalized.

By most accounts, his point-guard skills aren't as good as Williams', and he isn't an up-tempo scoring point guard like Watson. But, at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, he is physically superior. Most important, he is a stout defender, as one might expect from the 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year.

"It's been a dream come true, me getting the opportunity to play here," Nelson said. "There's no pressure on me. I'm a rookie coming in. I have a lot of scorers. My job is to get the ball to those guys in scoring situations and then do the rest of the things on the court I do playing defense, rebounding and making the hustle plays."

 

[VC3]

he looks like that mutated thing from 300.

I don't like him though. I have barely seen him play though. All I know is that I prefer Marcus Williams and that this guy has been impressive to the coach and other players. He has good D, and is aggressive to the hole(from what I hear.

 

[The Young One]

I like demarcus this is good for him. I hope his lil bro and cousin fair well in b-ball too.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

In case I f'd that up, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWCbQv8J7JI

 

[VC3]

he grew up 10 minutes away from where i live. so hes a local boy. nice story though. undrafted to starting point gaurd.

cant wait for moped ellis to be back though.

 

[.s31t]

I like the story but Marcus Williams will be starting and with the issues with Harrington there gonna go real small I believe. IDK a lot on GS JJ but I think they'll play Stephen Jackson/Anthony Randolph up at PF?

PG - Marcus Williams
SG - Monte Ellis
SF - Corey Maggette
PF - Stephen Jackson/Anthony Randolph
C - Andris Biedrins

 

[VC3]

I like the story but Marcus Williams will be starting and with the issues with Harrington there gonna go real small I believe. IDK a lot on GS JJ but I think they'll play Stephen Jackson/Anthony Randolph up at PF?

PG - Marcus Williams
SG - Monte Ellis
SF - Corey Maggette
PF - Stephen Jackson/Anthony Randolph
C - Andris Biedrins

Nah. Harrington and Biedrins will be PF and C for sure.

C: Andris Biedrins
PF: Al Harrington
SF: Corey Maggette
SG: Stephen Jackson
PG: DeMarcus Nelson (Monta Ellis once hes back)

 

[dez]

If I were a Warriors fan I would like to see Williams at the starting PG spot. Nelson isnt your NBA type PG, or even a PG at all for that matter.

My guess is their going to try to emulate Ellis until he returns, and Nelson does the best job of that since his game resembles Ellis' the most. They gonna want to keep as much chemistry as possible once Monta returns, so having the player that is most like him at the position he's going to play makes sense.

 

[.s31t]

If I were a Warriors fan I would like to see Williams at the starting PG spot. Nelson isnt your NBA type PG, or even a PG at all for that matter.

My guess is their going to try to emulate Ellis until he returns, and Nelson does the best job of that since his game resembles Ellis' the most. They gonna want to keep as much chemistry as possible once Monta returns, so having the player that is most like him at the position he's going to play makes sense.

What is funny Nelson really didn't have any assists that game.

11 PTS, 2 STLS, 1 AST...

Just horrible for a PG in the NBA.

 

[.loggie]

i think don nelson just likes demarcus' last name..
but anyway, id rather see the warriors try marcus williams as starter and if he doesnt do well enough, then put in demarcus.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

What is funny Nelson really didn't have any assists that game.

11 PTS, 2 STLS, 1 AST...

Just horrible for a PG in the NBA.

If he's helping the team win games, who cares about assists, or ANY stats for that matter? Get your head out of the stat sheet...

 

[VC3]

Run out of reasons why we together.
We both know its over baby bottom line.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Run out of reasons why we together.
We both know its over baby bottom line.

What?

 

[.snowy]

Doe it matter who plays the point for them? They got worse from last year, didn't make playoffs, other teams that didn't make it have improved, they have no hope. Sowwy.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Doe it matter who plays the point for them? They got worse from last year, didn't make playoffs, other teams that didn't make it have improved, they have no hope. Sowwy.

Hate to side with SoM again, but the Warriors won 6 games more in '07-'08 than they did in '06-'07. The West was just tougher. Not to say it's any easier this year, though.

 

[VC3]

Hate to side with SoM again, but the Warriors won 6 games more in '07-'08 than they did in '06-'07. The West was just tougher. Not to say it's any easier this year, though.

Why would you hate to side with SoM?

 

[Mexi]

nelson, meh
all this means if SJax and Maggette Spaghetti are gonna have to make their own shots more than before.
i smell turmoil in the bay. especially when Monta comes back.
Ellis/Jax/Maggette/Al "Give me the ball" Harrington
uh oh. aint gonna work IMO. i dont care what y'all say

 

[VC3]

Brandon Jennings '09

 

[.s31t]

IDC what anyone says but AST from a PG is crucial considering they handle the rock the most.

Weaknesses: Will be a little undersized for a shooting guard in the NBA. Turns the ball over nearly as often as he gets an assist. Very poor free throw shooter. Shoots the three for a good percentage but didn’t take very many (only hit a little over one per game). Other than being a solid defender, doesn’t do anything else exceptionally well.

 

[VC3]

Ya he sucks. Marcus should start.