[ESPN - Bucher] Warriors behind the scenes: organization in civil war

foodworld · Dec 24, 2008

Superb article. Here is the link.

An excerpt, after mentioning how the team's owner sided with Nelson in the famous Webber-Nellie feud in 1994:

This time, the battle pitted the Warriors' top executive, vice president Chris Mullin, against Nelson, both of whom entered the summer looking at their final year under contract. Mullin wanted assurances, sources say, that Nelson would not have a voice in personnel decisions. Cohan responded by approving a five-year extension for team president Bobby Rowell, according to a source, and a two-year extension for Nelson. Cohan has never said a word to Mullin about an extension, according to multiple sources.

This is right about where George Santayana's well-worn observation seems particularly apt: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

If Don Nelson has alienated Stephen Jackson, the team's return to winning might prove hard.

Nelson insisted 15 years ago that he had no problems with Webber, just as he insists now that no problems exist between him and Mullin. Or with Randolph. Or with Jackson. He also insists he has no interest in running the franchise, that he is content being the coach.

Whether that last statement is true or not, one source says that over the summer there was discussion, however brief, about Nelson taking over as GM and promoting Sidney Moncrief to head coach. This, in any case, is indisputable: Davis would still be in a Warriors' uniform, according to other sources, if Mullin still had been in control. Mullin did not fire his right-hand man, Pete D'Alessandro, a quiet, hard-working capologist respected league-wide, and replace him with Larry Riley, Nelson's right-hand man and closest confidant. Nor did Mullin replace Riley on Nelson's coaching staff with Larry Harris, son of one of Nelson's other long-time confidants, Del Harris, according to a source.

Nelson expressed disappointment that Davis opted out and signed with the Clippers after the Warriors refused to give him an extension. One source, though, insists Nelson advised Rowell to stiff-arm Davis' request. In any case, it's hard to believe Rowell would defy his VP and his head coach if they both wanted Davis back.

Then again, hearing a multitude of sources paint one picture and hearing Nelson publicly paint another one is also reminiscent of 15 years ago.

Watching from afar, one GM said, "It makes you sick to your stomach seeing how they've treated Mullin."
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Carl Herrera · Dec 24, 2008

Below is a secret footage of what Nelly has been doing with his players in practice:

<embed id="VideoPlayback" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=2312941173447863684&hl=en&fs=true" style="width:400px;height:326px" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> </embed>

A_3PO · Dec 24, 2008

Articles have already been written about how Nellie basically castrated Mullin over the summer, but this one is more detailed. Some people just can't seem to cleanly leave a situation. Nellie may be an example. It would be amazing if the minority owners bought out Cohan, replaced Nellie and gave Mullin his authority back. It's a "no win" situation for the Warriors because Mullin isn't a very good GM to start with. Whichever side wins the power struggle, the franchise and it's fans will suffer.

Not a good time to be a Warriors fan.

foodworld · Dec 24, 2008

A_3PO said:

Articles have already been written about how Nellie basically castrated Mullin over the summer, but this one is more detailed. Some people just can't seem to cleanly leave a situation. Nellie may be an example. It would be amazing if the minority owners bought out Cohan, replaced Nellie and gave Mullin his authority back. It's a "no win" situation for the Warriors because Mullin isn't a very good GM to start with. Whichever side wins the power struggle, the franchise and it's fans will suffer.

Not a good time to be a Warriors fan.
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True--but while Mullin might not be the most brilliant individual he's at least sane. Nellie has a history of front office insanity with both the Warriors and Knicks--feuding with John Starks and waiving him, the Mitch Richmond trade, the Webber feud, trying to diminish Patrick Ewing's role with the team and dissing him in public, waiving Doug Christie....

worzel gummidge · Dec 24, 2008

You can paint Nellie as a villain but the real risk was when a team tries to build around a malcontent like S-Jax as their franchise player things are bound to go down badly eventually.

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[ESPN - Bucher] Warriors behind the scenes: organization in civil war

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