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). 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?
"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 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 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. "So you find enjoyment in other ways. And this enjoyment of this team is watching these young guys develop and mature."
