10/6
Ellis steals show with his energy
• Rookie guard makes quite an impression in first competitive practice
Warriors notebook
LAIE, Hawaii -- Warriors rookie guard Monta Ellis stole the ball from Baron Davis and zipped up court on the break in Tuesday's second practice session.
With Derek Fisher standing in the way of his layup, Ellis twisted around the veteran in midair to avoid a charge. With Davis trying to block the shot from behind, Ellis switched the ball from his right hand to his left and laid it in.
"Young fella came to play," guard Jason Richardson said after Wednesday's first practice. "We were going at about 80 percent, he was going like 140 percent. He's like, 'I may be from high school, but I can play.'"
By all accounts, Ellis was impressive in the Warriors' first competitive practice of training camp at BYU Hawaii's Cannon Activities Center on the island of Oahu. He showed off his athleticism and creativity, getting by Davis with a shifty around-the-back dribble in the open court. He also showed off his stroke, at one point knocking down three consecutive outside shots.
"What I like about the kid is that he plays hard on every play," assistant coach Mario Elie was quoted saying on the team's Web site. "We kind of got a glimpse of what he can do late in practice with his speed and quickness."
Ellis, however, was not impressed with his first practice. With his focus set on avoiding the NBA Developmental League, he said he realizes he has a ways to go.
"It was cool," he said Wednesday. "I did all right."
Odd men out
Coach Mike Montgomery will be in a difficult spot when the exhibition games roll around. Dividing minutes among 18 players is a tough job.
The Warriors have five training camp invitees -- centers Deji Akindele and Mamadou N'diaye, forward Justin Davis, and guards Ray Young and Aaron Miles -- who need minutes in their push to make the team. The younger players -- such as Ellis, Andris Biedrins and Ike Diogu -- need game experience to be in position to contribute during the season.
"With all of our draft picks, it's just going to take time," Montgomery said. "It may be March before they're able to really get in the position to help."
But more important is that the starters and the regular reserves get into game shape and in sync with one another. Montgomery is putting a premium on giving ample time to his top players.
That doesn't bode well for the rest.
"One of the ways you have to get in shape in this league is by playing games in the preseason," Montgomery said. "You can't simulate game-level intensity in practice. You can't do it. In a game, the level goes up, you push yourself harder, 48 minutes. So I need to have the veteran guys, the top guys that are going to be playing, getting those minutes so they get themselves in shape."
Rookie Taft hurting
Rookie power forward Chris Taft was held out of Wednesday's morning session because of a strained right groin.
Montgomery said the back injury Taft sustained during a summer league game in early July prevented him from reporting to camp in shape. In precamp weigh-ins, Taft registered at 272 pounds. He was listed at 260 before the injury.
"He's probably carrying too much weight, which is not the best thing for his back," Montgomery said. "For Chris, he's a guy that needs to be on the floor. It's just really too bad because he's got an opportunity to be a player, but he needs to practice, he needs to play the game. ... Right now he's kind of in limbo."
Ellis steals show with his energy
• Rookie guard makes quite an impression in first competitive practice
Warriors notebook
LAIE, Hawaii -- Warriors rookie guard Monta Ellis stole the ball from Baron Davis and zipped up court on the break in Tuesday's second practice session.
With Derek Fisher standing in the way of his layup, Ellis twisted around the veteran in midair to avoid a charge. With Davis trying to block the shot from behind, Ellis switched the ball from his right hand to his left and laid it in.
"Young fella came to play," guard Jason Richardson said after Wednesday's first practice. "We were going at about 80 percent, he was going like 140 percent. He's like, 'I may be from high school, but I can play.'"
By all accounts, Ellis was impressive in the Warriors' first competitive practice of training camp at BYU Hawaii's Cannon Activities Center on the island of Oahu. He showed off his athleticism and creativity, getting by Davis with a shifty around-the-back dribble in the open court. He also showed off his stroke, at one point knocking down three consecutive outside shots.
"What I like about the kid is that he plays hard on every play," assistant coach Mario Elie was quoted saying on the team's Web site. "We kind of got a glimpse of what he can do late in practice with his speed and quickness."
Ellis, however, was not impressed with his first practice. With his focus set on avoiding the NBA Developmental League, he said he realizes he has a ways to go.
"It was cool," he said Wednesday. "I did all right."
Odd men out
Coach Mike Montgomery will be in a difficult spot when the exhibition games roll around. Dividing minutes among 18 players is a tough job.
The Warriors have five training camp invitees -- centers Deji Akindele and Mamadou N'diaye, forward Justin Davis, and guards Ray Young and Aaron Miles -- who need minutes in their push to make the team. The younger players -- such as Ellis, Andris Biedrins and Ike Diogu -- need game experience to be in position to contribute during the season.
"With all of our draft picks, it's just going to take time," Montgomery said. "It may be March before they're able to really get in the position to help."
But more important is that the starters and the regular reserves get into game shape and in sync with one another. Montgomery is putting a premium on giving ample time to his top players.
That doesn't bode well for the rest.
"One of the ways you have to get in shape in this league is by playing games in the preseason," Montgomery said. "You can't simulate game-level intensity in practice. You can't do it. In a game, the level goes up, you push yourself harder, 48 minutes. So I need to have the veteran guys, the top guys that are going to be playing, getting those minutes so they get themselves in shape."
Rookie Taft hurting
Rookie power forward Chris Taft was held out of Wednesday's morning session because of a strained right groin.
Montgomery said the back injury Taft sustained during a summer league game in early July prevented him from reporting to camp in shape. In precamp weigh-ins, Taft registered at 272 pounds. He was listed at 260 before the injury.
"He's probably carrying too much weight, which is not the best thing for his back," Montgomery said. "For Chris, he's a guy that needs to be on the floor. It's just really too bad because he's got an opportunity to be a player, but he needs to practice, he needs to play the game. ... Right now he's kind of in limbo."