http://www.contracostatimes.com/warriors/ci_6844998?nclick_check=1 Unhappy Nellie headed to Hawaii # Warrior coach might walk if team doesn't guarantee more money By Geoff Lepper STAFF WRITER Article Launched: 09/09/2007 03:02:33 AM PDT OAKLAND -- In the NBA, September is the time of year when players and coaches start to return from their off-season residences. At the Warriors' headquarters in Oakland, for example, a half dozen players have been spotted working out recently or are expected to arrive in the near future. One critical piece, however, is heading in the opposite direction. Coach Don Nelson, profoundly unhappy with the way his contract negotiations are going, plans on flying home to Hawaii after having spent several weeks in the Bay Area hoping to cement reworked details for the two years remaining on his deal. No date for his return to the islands has been specified. "I've had some nice talks with Bobby (Rowell, the Warriors team president) in the last several weeks," said John O'Connor, Nelson's lawyer. "Nothing's happened, but I'm still personally hopeful. Nellie has grown discouraged, however, and is soon on his way back to his hammock in Maui." So far, Nelson's attempt to renegotiate the remainder of the three-year deal he signed in August 2006 has resembled a high-stakes poker game for much of the summer. If that's true, this is his all-in moment. Nelson would like to put pressure on the Warriors to move off their one and only offer. That proposal would increase Nelson's base salary per season from $3.1 million to $5.1 million, but it inserts a team option for the second and final season, meaning Nelson would face a decrease of $1.1 million in guaranteed money. O'Connor Advertisement responded this past week on behalf of the coach with a plan that would leave the team option in place for 2008-09 but would add a partial guarantee -- worth at least $2 million -- on that season's salary. Golden State officials are still mulling that offer, and while they show no urgency to accept it or make a counteroffer of their own, a hue and cry from Warriors season-ticket holders over Nelson's flight to the islands could force the team into action. Sources in the Nelson camp have said for months that the emotional coach could easily decide to stay in Maui rather than return for another grueling NBA season at the age of 67. But one member of the Warriors organization said the coach unequivocally stated last month that he'd be back for the upcoming season. If Nelson were to choose the hammock over the bench, the Warriors' options would be limited since training camp opens on Oct. 2. The obvious move would be to name current assistant Keith Smart -- whom Nelson anointed last season as a potential successor -- to the job. There are some bigger names available. Jeff Van Gundy, fired by the Houston Rockets in May, is unemployed, but he would most likely require an outlay of $5 million or more. And he's never coached a team in the up-tempo style for which the Warriors' roster is constructed. Larry Brown, a 2002 inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and like Nelson one of only five coaches to win more than 1,000 NBA games, is not a legitimate option, according to a team source. Other possibilities include veterans Rudy Tomjanovich and Mike Fratello. An intriguing name would be Paul Silas, former coach of the Clippers, Cavaliers and, most importantly, the Hornets, where he developed a strong bond with Warriors star Baron Davis that remains intact to this day. Also, Silas' son, Stephen, is a current Warriors' assistant coach. Staff writer Marcus Thompson contributed to this report. Contact Geoff Lepper at
it would be different for him to coach a team with more that a couple/three guys that can score effectively.
Just speculation. Not going to happen. He loves Houston too much. He's going to stick with high school special guest coach/NBA on ABC until his kids head off to college. Golden State was extremely undisciplined last year. It's a proven fact that style of play can't win. He'd let them run, but would be against jacking up 3's when there are 20 seconds left on the shot clock. Sacramento apparently really wanted JVG as their coach, and the Maloofs were even going to outbid Les Alexander for his services in late April after his COY-type season. JVG made his decision long before that he was not going to be back with the Rockets, but he asked that his assistants be given extensions. After the Game 7 loss, JVG changed his mind and wanted to be back as coach because he felt bad for Yao and Tracy, and also because he had Daryl MOrey's support and promise that the team would be improved in the offseason, but it was too late. He was given an extension twice during the season, once in December before Yao went down and once after the All-Star break, but didn't want to sign or think about it until after the season. He and Les' relationship was broken since his huge fine in the Dallas playoff series in '05. Pretty much every team that had a head coaching vacancy this offseason, with the exception of Seattle and Charlotte (MJ hates JVG), contacted him (Orlando offered him an assistant position twice).
That would be hilarious if he got the job. Then maybe we could trade Battier for Brandan Wright and Mickael Pietrus.
JVG is one of the best coaches in the game. Sure he may have some questionable tactics but hes a respected coach. He'll eventually find his way back to the NBA.
That would be stupid. Pietrus would have no spot on our team. Wright is a long-term project. You can kiss championship hopes goodbye for the next 10 years if we make that trade.
He doesn't need to find his way back. Teams want him back. He just loves Houston too much. Apparently he was at the Astros game the other night. Who the hell goes to Astros games now? Watching them now is worse than watching the Comets.
I hope Jeff quits basketball and tries to get into baseball. He seems so into Rice baseball, that maybe if he switched sports the circles from his eyes would go away and his hair would start to regrow. Oh wait, I think he was born like that...
Yep, Golden State can't win with that style of offense. They just got farther than us and only beat the team with the best record in the regular season. That's all. ya they suck. Can't play playoff b-ball.
Yes, that is why Phoenix is celebrating their third straight title and the Spurs and Pistons are crying in their beer.
Hey bud, name me a team who has won it all playing golden state style. Not even phoenix plays their style. Phoenix is a lot more disciplined. THe showtime Lakers were disciplined. They had a nice Pat Riley half-court game too. Golden State had a nice matchup in Round 1. They had a coach who knew the other team like it was his wife. If Golden State plays any other team that made the playoffs, even the Lakers, then they lose. You're telling me that you think they have a chance at winning the championship. They won't even make the playoffs this year homie, guaranteed. I saw him at the Rice-Baylor game back in May. He was the only person watching the game behind home plate. He's a Mets fan too. We could see another subway series this year, but I think San Diego will make it, and the Astros effect will hit Morgan Ensberg just like it hit Mark Loretta, Geoff Blum, and Preston Wilson.
