In wake of loss to Hawks, how is Nelson handling Warriors young players?

December 19, 9:39 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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OK, so that loss was somewhat more tolerable: Atlanta 115, Warriors 99.

BOXSCORE HERE

RECAP HERE

Still, it would have been a lot better had coach Don Nelson at least given Anthony Randolph the 12 minutes he gave Rob Kurz, including the start.

Anyway, if there was a silver lining in this one it would be Marco Belinelli, with 27 points and six assists, and Brandan Wright, who finished with 19 points and eight rebounds.

So, my question is to you:

How well has Don Nelson handled rookie Anthony Randolph, and second-year players Marco Belinelli and Brandan Wright?

Take poll ...

The reason I ask: For every person who says Belinelli and Wright should be playing more, there is another person saying that each of those players needed to earn their minutes.

Nelson could very easily make the case, and I’m sure he would, that by withholding playing time and being demanding on those two, it is starting to pay dividends.

Do you buy it?

♦

Jamal Crawford does some nice things here and there, and occasionally he has some big numbers. Not tonight, of course.

But all in all and even still, you’d like to see him have more of an impact on the game.

By the way, Crawford’s under 40 percent from the floor since becoming a Warrior. Just like Stephen Jackson is under 40 percent.

And Corey Maggette, when he plays, is shooting 41 percent. Some percentages.

♦

Belinelli has deficiencies like every other player, but as far as the Warriors go, very few of his teammates have the innate basketball instincts and know-how that he does.

Nelson should have at least seen that and been able to put it to use sooner.

♦

By the way, I hate to get on this kick ... the Ronny Turiaf not rebounding kick. But he only had two in 20 minutes against the Hawks.

♦

Kelenna Azubuike will never be mistaken for John Stockton.

But it’s still better if he puts his head down and goes to the bucket in a fastbreak situation than if he goes upcourt looking to pass.

We all know Azubuike’s not much of a passer. The last thing you want is him thinking pass.

♦

Chris Broussard, senior writer for ESPN the Magazine, said during an interview that executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin and Nelson aren’t on speaking terms and that Nelson is burying the players Mullin likes.

Broussard said that Nelson recently told Randolph to have his agent start looking into trades because it is not working out here.

Just like team president Robert Rowell reportedly wasn't crazy when Nelson gave up on the playoffs earlier this year, I'm sure Rowell's not crazy about coach Nellie trying to playing GM Nellie to the team's franchise player.

♦

This also needs to be posted _ about Nelson giving up coaching the defense to Keith Smart and Sidney Moncrief. 

Link here ...

More from Marcus Thompson III of CCT

Link here ...

Let's sleep on that one before commenting.
 

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