Nelson talks a little Anthony Randolph and why he came back with Monta Ellis

February 11, 3:14 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Warriors coach Don Nelson was in pretty good spirits after Wednesday's practice. Can't blame him, really. No doubt, the Warriors are at a high point.

They are getting healthier, appear to be building some chemistry and are clearly playing their best basketball of the season. The visibly improving Monta Ellis certainly has a part in that ... and so do a lot of other players.

The playoffs are still a myth, but a win tomorrow over the Portland Trail Blazers would certainly give the Warriors some momentum heading into the final 30 or so games. Whatever momentum means in that sense.

The Warriors are 8-7 over their past 15, and very well could have Andris Biedrins and Marco Belinelli back for next Wednesday's game against the Lakers at Oracle _ first game back after this weekend's All-Star break.

Give the Warriors credit. It was pretty depressing early, and there's still some uncertainty moving forward, but in the meantime the Warriors have come around a little so may as well keep the games coming.

As for Nelson's comments about Anthony Randolph, they were perhaps as detailed as they've been all season. Not to mention ... positive.

Question: "Why are you playing better?"

Don Nelson: "Let's be a little realistic here. Utah had two starters out and we think they're still a good team, but. You know. We're at home, we're playing pretty well at home. The crowd really helps us. The Knicks _ we expected a shoot-out.  I don't know.

Question: "But it's been 15 games, you're 8-7, so it's not like it's been a week ..."

Don Nelson: "We're getting better. We're trying to understand each other a little bit better. How it has to fit together, playing together. Stuff like that ... strengths and weaknesses of each of the guys. How we can be the best we can be? Monta Ellis coming a little bit. Little by little. That helps."

Question: "Two games in a row, you've gone to Anthony Randolph. What's he doing that you like?"

Don Nelson: "Well, he's been working hard in practice for six weeks. I like that mostly. Staying within the boundaries we've given him. He's doing a better job of that. Doing what he can do, not what he can't do in the games. I like that. He's had two really positive games and had an effect on both of those wins, I think."

Question: "How much do you guys have to stay on him to try not to do what he can't and stick with what he can?"

Don Nelson: "It's been mentioned a few times. ... Kind of 'Practice your weakness, but in games stay away from your weaknesses to stay on the floor.' It took him a while to get through that. Hard for him. He's not used to that. He's used to doing what he wants on the basketball floor. So he has to be more discliplined and work hard at it."

Question: "Do you or can you let him play through his mistakes?"

Don Nelson: "I can let him play through (mistakes) as long as it's what we're asking him to do. I can let him play through something like that as long as he's giving me effort and rebounding and doing the things we need him to do to help us. It's not that he's going to get yanked out on an error or anything like that as long as he's doing the other things.

"I like the fact he makes us faster. He pushes the ball up the court after a rebound quick. He can kind of show his skills with that. I like that. Just so he's under control once he gets to the paint at the other end and doesn't run over people. And he's doing a better job of that.

 "So he can be creative in that sense and he's good at that. He had a turnover in the open court (Tuesday vs. the Knicks), a guy came from behind. That's just something where he's got to understand the backflow is going to get you if you're not careful. That's an error I can live with."

Question: "Why did you bring back Monta late in the game last night?"

Don Nelson: "I'm a little nervous because we'll let a team back in if we're not careful. We haven't played from ahead that often this year and that's a little bit different kind of a deal. And you can't turn the ball over. C.J. (Watson) made a couple of errors and I wanted to make sure the game was secure.

"For whatever reason maybe that was a mistake or something because it seemed like (Monta) was stiff or something. I don't know. It probably would have been better reprimanding C.J.

"A player looks at that and says '17-point lead, who cares? We're going to win.' Coaches, nothing is secure. With our team we've only got 18 wins so we've got to make sure you don't blow a 17-point lead with four minutes to go and you can do that easily. I'm more conservative. Players look at that and think you can't lose that game. Well, you can. And we've seen it many times."
 

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