Perhaps no one is in a better position to evaluate Warriors guard Monta Ellis than teammate Andris Biedrins. He has seen Ellis at every stage of his career and seen him mature from a rookie who hardly spoke to the boisterous presence he is now. Biedrins is amazed by the difference. "He's been changed," Biedrins said. "He's totally different. He's happy about the team. He's really stepped it up. I'm really happy about him. It's just a joy to be his teammate." Oakland Tribune
For the first time since he can remember, Ellis is at ease. For the first time in his NBA career he has nothing to worry about, no reason to complain, no drama robbing his attention. Ellis is at peace. On the court and off. "It's a new beginning," he said. "It's a new feel. A new vibe. Back to having fun." Perhaps most of the credit goes to his wife, Juanika, whom Ellis married in July. When Ellis met Juanika, in her hometown of Memphis, Tenn., in 2006, he knew something was different about her. They argued, Ellis said. First time, second time, third time. Oakland Tribune
Juanika is a Memphis police officer who is six years older than Ellis, who turns 25 later this month. She didn't go along with whatever Ellis said and had no problem "putting me in my place when I needed to be put into place," he said. She told Ellis he was wrong for saying he couldn't play with point guard Stephen Curry and advised him to apologize. She implored Ellis to let go of his beef with the organization, that he was only hurting himself by carrying that weight. "She has been so good for him," assistant coach Stephen Silas said. Oakland Tribune
"It's always good to have that person, that better half, to keep you grounded," Ellis said. "It's great to have that someone you can sit down and have that comfort with. All that partying and stuff, I did that. It wasn't successful for me. I just go home to a peaceful house. It's just lovely right now." Oakland Tribune
"I always had a great relationship with Coach Smart," Biedrins told FanHouse this week, opting to answer a question regarding the past by instead looking to the suddenly- brighter future. "I'm really glad that he's now in the head coach position. He has seen things from the last couple of years that we were missing, and now we're changing a couple things. "Last season overall was very frustrating for me. I had the injuries and the surgery and all that stuff. I think (the coaching change) came at the right time, so I'm really glad." FanHouse.com
"I remember playing against Andris two and three years ago when he was the most efficient center in the NBA, a guy that was as difficult to play against as anybody," Lee continued. "But a lot of times injuries play with your head because you don't enjoy the game as much. Every time you go to play you're freaking hurting, you know what I mean? I think that played with him a little bit, but I think there's some new blood around here and there's some fresh faces. FanHouse.com
For the first time since he can remember, Ellis is at ease. For the first time in his NBA career he has nothing to worry about, no reason to complain, no drama robbing his attention. Ellis is at peace. On the court and off. "It's a new beginning," he said. "It's a new feel. A new vibe. Back to having fun." Perhaps most of the credit goes to his wife, Juanika, whom Ellis married in July. When Ellis met Juanika, in her hometown of Memphis, Tenn., in 2006, he knew something was different about her. They argued, Ellis said. First time, second time, third time. Oakland Tribune
Juanika is a Memphis police officer who is six years older than Ellis, who turns 25 later this month. She didn't go along with whatever Ellis said and had no problem "putting me in my place when I needed to be put into place," he said. She told Ellis he was wrong for saying he couldn't play with point guard Stephen Curry and advised him to apologize. She implored Ellis to let go of his beef with the organization, that he was only hurting himself by carrying that weight. "She has been so good for him," assistant coach Stephen Silas said. Oakland Tribune
"It's always good to have that person, that better half, to keep you grounded," Ellis said. "It's great to have that someone you can sit down and have that comfort with. All that partying and stuff, I did that. It wasn't successful for me. I just go home to a peaceful house. It's just lovely right now." Oakland Tribune
"I always had a great relationship with Coach Smart," Biedrins told FanHouse this week, opting to answer a question regarding the past by instead looking to the suddenly- brighter future. "I'm really glad that he's now in the head coach position. He has seen things from the last couple of years that we were missing, and now we're changing a couple things. "Last season overall was very frustrating for me. I had the injuries and the surgery and all that stuff. I think (the coaching change) came at the right time, so I'm really glad." FanHouse.com
"I remember playing against Andris two and three years ago when he was the most efficient center in the NBA, a guy that was as difficult to play against as anybody," Lee continued. "But a lot of times injuries play with your head because you don't enjoy the game as much. Every time you go to play you're freaking hurting, you know what I mean? I think that played with him a little bit, but I think there's some new blood around here and there's some fresh faces. FanHouse.com
