How bad are things in Oakland? ESPN's Chris Broussard was on the teevee this morning reporting that Chris Mullin (the GM) and Don Nelson (the coach) aren't speaking, and that Nellie is trying to trade Mully's players out from under him.
All out war has been brewing in Golden State since June, when (potentially at Nellie's behest) team president Robert Rowell vetoed Mullin's three-year, $39 million contract offer to Baron Davis, who had been prepared to sign. But apparently now the hold of the floundering franchise is at stake. Broussard reports that Nellie told Anthony Randolph's agent to try to find a trade opportunity -- Randolph has played only 12 minutes in the last three games, despite a bunch of Golden State injuries. A Randolph-Raymond Felton swap has been rumored but denied from the Warriors end.
Atma from Golden State of Mind sides with Nellie and pins many of Golden State's shortcomings on Mullin's shoulders. And it's true: Mullin has made some bad choices in the draft and free agency. But look at the two supreme bright spots on the team, Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins. That's Mullin's work. An undersized two-guard without a deep stroke and a 7-footer with a J? You think Nellie wants anything to do with that? Nelson, at this point, is Larry Brown on hallucinogens: fickle, domineering and insane.
Anthony Randolph Will Tear Warriors Apart originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.