Apparently Monta Ellis is only willing to be so humble.
Facing a 30 game suspension and a massive penalty from the Warriors for lying about his moped-related injury that's keeping him on the shelf, Ellis is apparently unhappy with the hardball approach the Warriors are taking with him.
Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News reports that if the Warriors continue their hardball stance of continued punishments for Ellis, Ellis could decide that he's had enough and demand a trade or for the Warriors to nullify the new $66 million contract he signed this summer. Kawakami notes that if he were to be released several teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies, would be interested in his services.
The back story to all of this is the continuing upper management strife that is reportedly going on behind the scenes between Don Nelson, Chris Mullin, and Robert Rowell. While the Warriors were probably right to toughen up on Ellis a bit after lying about his injury and hampering his teams' chances for the season, it's important to put this fire out and keep the franchise player inside the gate. This is the kind of element in a series of disasters (including losing Baron Davis) that could end up burying a team in mediocrity long term. Dicey times in the Bay.
Monta Ellis Thinks Sorry Is Enough, May Request Trade if Warriors Play 'Hardball' originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
