Don Nelson on acquiring Jamal Crawford: "I'm stoked is what I am"

November 21, 1:25 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Don Nelson: "I'm stoked is what I am." 

Here's an interview with Warriors coach Don Nelson from today's shoot-around, with the subject matter obviously Jamal Crawford.

Question: "You were worried that by Al Harrington demanding a trade, it would drop his trade value. But that doesn't seem to be the case, does it?"

Don Nelson: "Well, we weren't going to make a bad trade. We got a player we really like very much. And the Knicks get a player they like very much. Good exchange for us and he fits right into our small ball. He's played in a system this season, where we're similar to the Knicks. Should be an easy adjustment. We think it's a good trade for us."

Question: "What does Crawford bring?"

Don Nelson: "Well, he's a great shooter, another great shooter. I can't get enough great shooters on the team. I like guys that know how to shoot the ball and also can make a pass. It relieves Jack of playing that point guard as much. I can play him at his natural position. So, it makes us deeper in our small ball and it makes it more attractive to play that way."

Question: "Can crawford and Monta Ellis play together?"

Don Nelson: "Well, Crawford is about 6-5. I would think they could play together and it's a good fit."

Question: "When will he join the team?"

Don Nelson: "He'll join us in Philly (Sunday) but won't play till Washington (Tuesday)."

Question: "What other kind of trickle-down effect might this move have have, for C.J. Watson, let's say?"

Don Nelson: "Well, it puts Watson in his natural position, which is backup point. I don't know how it's all going to work out but I'm very comfortable with C.J., whether he starts or come off the bench. He's having a really good year. But I would think I will end up having Crawford as a starter. We'll see how that goes.

"I think it's been real good for Jack (Stephen Jackson)to play point guard this year because now it's natural to play point-three (small forward). And if there's any problems with Crawford with him being a one, because he's probably a 2-1, we can move Jack and do the same kinds of things that are good for us."

Question: "How does this acquisition change expectations ... are you a playoff  team now?"

Don Nelson: "I don't think we better talk playoffs at this point. Let's see where we are. We're a team that is building for the future and he fits right in. He's only 28. If we can get back in the hunt that would be great. If we can't, we'll keep doing what we're doing, which is bring our young guys along. I think it's good for everybody.

"Certainly it's good for our screen-and-roll game. It's good for Goose (Andris Biedrins), having more room in there now. They can't really come off anybody to help on some of the things we do very well. So it's a real positive for our team."

Question: "Is there such a thing as having too much firepower?"

Don Nelson: "Well, you've got to guard and rebound as well. But we've never been great at the rebound game anyway, and that's why Goose (Andris Biedrins) will probably lead the league in rebounding this year. He's got to get most of them. It will always be a point of emphasis for us. But it's a situation we're going to have to deal with. We've got to be who we are. We're going to be a high-scoring team and a fun team to watch, and I don't know how good we'll be, but it's the best way for us to play right now."

Question: "It seemed that scoring might be an issue and now you've got Anthony Morrow, Crawford, Corey Maggette, Jackson, Monta coming back ... Biedrins is scoring ... you've got quite an offensive team here."

Don Nelson: "I've been surprised that we've averaged over 100 points per game this season. So our offense is still good enough and I think our defense has improved some. But now we have another shooter so our offense should even be better and hopefully we can continue to get better at the defensive end."

Question: "Do you know Crawford at all?"

Don Nelson: "I've known him for a long time. I interviewed when he came out of Michigan and I had him in Chicago at the tryout camp. So I've known him a long, long time. He's a very nice young man. He has the skill to score the basketball and make some plays. And he's not a bad passer, and we need passing, so I'm going to use both of those skills."

Question: "How is his defense?"

Don Nelson: "I think he would be tagged a softer player. He's not a defensive stopper, for sure. He's going to need help just like four of our other players. We'll give him as much as help as we can and go to his strengths."

Question: "Not that you aren't always enthusiastic, but Morrow has come out of nowhere and now you get Crawford in here for a guy who wasn't even playing (Al Harrington), are you more optimistic or more pumped up?"

Don Nelson: "I'm stoked, is what I am. We knew that we were going to have a tough year after losing our two best scorers () and Al disappearing. We knew we were in touble. But we look up and we're close to .500 team and we're playing pretty darn well. There was only one game I've been dissatisfied with (at Memphis).

"We're fine the way things are going. But I think this will be an improvement and we'll be a better team. But we haven't played any great teams yet, either. I think you'll see there's quite a difference between the great teams and the rest of us."