As he reclined on a leather couch in the players' lounge at the Warriors' practice facility in downtown Oakland on Friday, coach Don Nelson was all positive. He praised his young players. He proclaimed excitement over another rebuilding effort. He waved off trade demands made by perhaps his best player (though he did add the Warriors will try to accommodate Stephen Jackson). He even discussed his charitable proposal that he'd give the Warriors a free season of service once his contract expires.
"I told (team president Robert Rowell) a week ago, or thereabouts, that after this contract is up, I would like to give the Warriors one more year, cost the team nothing, just donate," Nelson said. "Whatever they want me to do, for one more year. And not take a salary. ... That offer is on the table."
All in all, it was a far more positive outlook than many fans may have. The Warriors enter training camp after a 53-loss campaign in 2008-09. Jackson wants out, backup point guard C.J. Watson (before signing a new contract) said he preferred to play in Orlando, and question marks exist up and down the roster.
Yet, Nelson spoke repeatedly of promise and potential, and his expectations for the Warriors to become a "real good team" in a couple years.
So, was Nelson pitching the company line? Or have the growth of second-year players Anthony Randolph and Anthony Morrow, the return to full health by guard Monta Ellis, and the addition of rookie point guard Stephen Curry lit a fire under the NBA lifer?
Nelson said the latter.
"At my age," said Nelson, 69, "I have to accept where I am and the team that I have and enjoy the hell out of it because I don't have many years left. And I'll tell you, there is a great pleasure in watching young people, if they work hard, develop."
Nelson said his only problem with Jackson's desire to be traded was how the forward went about expressing it. Jackson made his demands at a block party in New York earlier this month and then to Dime magazine.
Nelson repeated general manager Larry Riley's assertion that the Warriors would accommodate Jackson's request if they found a deal that benefited the franchise. Still, Nelson said he isn't worried about Jackson, who will remain the team captain.
Nelson said he predicted this predicament last season. He said he expected that losing would get to a veteran such as Jackson, so he offered to trade him to a better situation if Jackson didn't want to struggle through rebuilding.
"Took a year, but I guess he's decided," Nelson said. "I don't think he did it the right way. But anyway, it is what it is and I'm not angry at him."
Instead, Nelson seems entirely focused on positive developments. He said Randolph went from "about the laziest rookie I ever had" to one of his hardest workers on the team. He said having a healthy Ellis to start training camp is as significant an addition as the drafting of Curry.
About the only irritation he expressed was having to answer questions regarding his march toward the title of NBA's Winningest Coach. Nelson, with 1,309 wins, needs 23 more to tie Lenny Wilkens for the most ever.
"I've never won a championship, as you guys know," Nelson said. "I've never been close to winning one. I've never coached the best team, except when I coached the world games. ... So you find enjoyment in other ways. And this enjoyment of this team is watching these young guys develop and mature."
