Don Nelson to be fired

[The Walker Wiggle]

The Golden State Warriors, with just a few days to go before the start of training camp, are on the verge of making a coaching change.

Sources with knowledge of the Warriors' thinking told ESPN that the club's new owners, Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, have decided to part company with Don Nelson - who late last season became the winningest coach in league history - and replace him with assistant Keith Smart.

The move is scheduled to be finalized by the end of the week, sources said, with Smart taking charge of the team in time for media day Monday and the team's first practice of the season Tuesday.

via Marc Stein.

The Contra Costa Times reported that Nelson will technically resign, but sources close to the situation said Nelson was hoping to return. The final season remaining on Nelson's contract is valued at $6 million. Sources said Nelson, as per the terms of his contract, will receive his full salary.

[indeedproceed]

Best move the Warriors have made so far this season. Maybe I can start rooting for them now.

[Donoghus]

Replace him with former Worcester Count Keith Smart?  Solid.

(If more than 2 people get that reference, I'll be amazed)

[soap07]

By far, one of the most overrated coaches ever to set foot on an NBA court. Definitely made for an entertaining play on the court, just not winning basketball.

[The Walker Wiggle]

I don't know about that. I think I'll miss Nelson, NBA staple, winningest coach, mad scientist, and D-League advocate. Much of the blame for Golden State's current state lay at the feet of the outgoing ownership and still largely intact front office.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Smart is negotiating a multi-year contract with the Warriors, a source said. Former Warriors forward Calbert Cheaney, a special assistant under Nelson, will be promoted to the bench on Smart’s staff. Jerry Sichting and Robert Werdann also have been added as assistants, league sources said, and Mark Price will work with the Warriors as a part-time shooting coach.

via Adrian Wojnarowski.

[Lucky17]

the club's new owners, Joe Lacob and Peter Guber

Guber? One of the owners is named Guber? With a long 'u'? That can't be good.

[fairweatherfan]

Good - Golden State has great fans and deserves a better organization.  New owners are a good start and this is another step in the right direction.  Hope to see them competitive again.

[The Walker Wiggle]

And say what you will, but the man has an undeniable eye for talent.

Do you think any other GM in NBA history has drafted 11 future All-Stars?  Do you think any other GM in NBA history has drafted a future All-Star in 6 straight drafts, as Don Nelson did for the Warriors from 1988-93?

Marques Johnson (3rd, 1977)
Sidney Moncrief (5th, 1979)
Mitch Richmond (5th, 1988)
Tim Hardaway (14th, 1989)
Tyrone Hill (11th, 1990)
Chris Gatling (16th, 1991)
Latrell Sprewell (24th, 1992)
Chris Webber (1st, 1993)
Dirk Nowitzki (9th, 1998)
Josh Howard (29th, 2003)
Stephen Curry (7th, 2009) (I'm being presumptous here. Or am I?)

via Golden State of Mind.

[indeedproceed]

I'm not saying that Don Nelson can't be an effective coach anywhere, I just think Golden State tuned him out 2 years ago, and a starting 5 of Curry, Monta Ellis, Reggie Williams, David Lee, and Andris Biedrins could win some games with the right coach and the right system they buy in to.

[moiso]

I'm not saying that Don Nelson can't be an effective coach anywhere, I just think Golden State tuned him out 2 years ago, and a starting 5 of Curry, Monta Ellis, Reggie Williams, David Lee, and Andris Biedrins could win some games with the right coach and the right system they buy in to.

I kind of think it's the opposite.  I agree that the team has/had a ton of young talent, but I think Nelson kind of tuned out the team.  His stategy and rotations were inexplicable at times, almost as if he were senile or not paying attention.  A guy could have a monster game one night and then be a dnp-cd the next day.  It was mind boggling.  I hope they get an intense disiplinarian type to correct some of the bad habbits the players have aquired.

[indeedproceed]

I'm not saying that Don Nelson can't be an effective coach anywhere, I just think Golden State tuned him out 2 years ago, and a starting 5 of Curry, Monta Ellis, Reggie Williams, David Lee, and Andris Biedrins could win some games with the right coach and the right system they buy in to.

I kind of think it's the opposite.  I agree that the team has/had a ton of young talent, but I think Nelson kind of tuned out the team.  He stategy and rotations were inexpicable at times, almost as if he were senile or not paying attention.  A guy could have a monster game one night and then be a dnp-cd the next day.  It was mind boggling.  I hope they get an intense disiplinarian type to correct some of the bad habbits the players have aquired.

I think this is also a pretty valid explanation. Point is, the team lacked leadership they respected, from either a coach or a player, or probably both.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Tim Kawakami of the Silicon Valley Mercury News summed it up well.

Nelson had fallen off drastically as a motivator and a personnel man, but he could always articulate what he wanted, and he could usually get his players open shots.

I hope they get an intense disciplinarian type to correct some of the bad habits the players have acquired.

Anybody have insight into Smart's style? He's the Warrior's longest tenured assistant coach - seven seasons - so he's certainly familiar. But his record as a head coach isn't promising. He went 9-31 as interim coach of the pre-LeBron Cavaliers in 2002-2003 and when last given the reins in Golden State - for a five game December 2009 road trip - he went 1-5.

[jdub1660]

Seriously, post "We Believe" error, Golden State has been nothing more than a salary trade machine and place for players to go and shine to make more money elsewhere or join real teams.

Anthony Morrow - left for the Nets
CJ Watson - left for the Bucks
*Corey Maggette - got his cash money and earned a trade
I know there's more but that's just off memory

*Monta Ellis and Andres Beidres are not far behind

Now bring in players like Dorell Wright,David Lee(worth it), and Louis Almondson that come here to get tons of minutes and rack up stats for larger contracts.

I liked the young Don Nelson, but that organization behind him has become a joke since their last serious playoff run with Jackson,Barnes and Baron

[Dybdal]

About time they decided to actualy do something with that organisation.

Getting a new organization and coach seems to me, to be the 2 most logical steps so there might actualy be hope for Golden State.