Golden State Warriors Blog – Page 100 – NBA Blog

Warriors exercise 2 options but decline Marcus Williams option

The Golden State Warriors have exercised the third-year contract options on guard Marco Belinelli and forward Brandan Wright, and declined the fourth-year contract option on guard Marcus Williams, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today.

Under the terms of the NBA’s current collective bargaining agreement, the first two years of a first round draft pick’s contract are guaranteed, while the third and fourth year of the contract are the team’s option. Belinelli was selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Warriors, while Wright was selected with the eighth overall selection in that same draft by the Charlotte Bobcats and later acquired by Golden State. The Warriors acquired Williams – the 22nd pick in the 2006 NBA Draft – from the New Jersey Nets on July 22, 2008.

Oct 29: Hornets 108, Warriors 103

The AP reports: Chris Paul drove for the go-ahead layup with 19.4 seconds left and finished with 21 points and 11 assists in the Hornets’ perilous 108-103 victory Wednesday night… After going 7-0 in the NBA’s first unbeaten preseason in six years, New Orleans stayed perfect despite falling apart down the stretch against Golden State. After Paul’s jumper gave the Hornets a six-point lead with 5:47 left, they went nearly four minutes without scoring—including two open jumpers missed by Paul—while the Warriors took a 101-100 lead on a jumper by Corey Maggette, who had 27 points in his Golden State debut… David West led New Orleans with 24 points, while Peja Stojakovic added 16. Stephen Jackson scored 26 points and Kelenna Azubuike added 17 for the Warriors, who blew numerous opportunities to take charge late in their third straight season-opening loss, but still came out encouraged simply by hanging with the Hornets.

Warriors sign Don Nelson to extension

The Golden State Warriors have signed Head Coach Don Nelson to a contract extension, it was announced today by President Robert Rowell. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.

“We’re elated that Don has elected to sign an extension,” said Rowell. “He has proven to be one of the most successful and innovative coaches in the history of our game and his continued presence on the sidelines is certainly a prominent asset for our team and organization. Our fans and players enjoy his entertaining style and we all look forward to the day he establishes the NBA’s all-time wins record for a coach.”

Nelson, 68, is currently the second-winningest coach in NBA history (1,280 wins), trailing only Lenny Wilkens (1,332) on the league’s all-time victory list. Over the first two seasons of his most recent stint with Golden State, Nelson has posted a combined 90-74 record (.549) and guided the Warriors to their first consecutive winning campaigns since 1990-91 and 1991-92.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue to coach this team,” said Nelson. “I’ve really enjoyed the last two years in the Bay Area and I’m excited about the future and the potential of our young team. Additionally, I’d like to thank Chris Cohan, the entire Warriors organization and our great fans for their incredible support. This is a special place for me.”

Last season, Nelson guided the Warriors to a 48-34 record, marking the team’s best record since 1993-94 and just the ninth time in franchise history (since 1946) and the third time since 1975-76 that the team has amassed 48 victories in a single season. Additionally, Golden State’s 48-34 (.585) record in 2007-08 marked the best record for a non-playoff team since the NBA adopted its current 16-team postseason format prior to the 1984 NBA Playoffs.

Nelson returned to Golden State prior to the 2006-07 campaign, leading the Warriors to a 42-40 record that season and their first trip to the NBA Playoffs in 13 years. Additionally, he guided Golden State to a First Round triumph over the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks, marking the first time that a #8 seed had defeated a #1 seed in a seven-game series in NBA history.

Entering in his 30th season as an NBA head coach in 2008-09, Nelson has compiled a 1,280-954 (.573) record in 2,234 regular-season games in 29 years. Only Wilkens has coached more NBA games (2,487). In fact, as Nelson embarks on his 45th year in the NBA as a player, coach, general manager or consultant, only Wilkens has more combined games as a player and head coach than the 3,287 that “Nellie” has registered in his career.

NBA opening night rosters

The NBA’s opening day rosters are official, and now posted on InsideHoops.com.

This evening was the deadline for NBA teams to trim their rosters down to 15 players or less.

The 2008-09 regular season starts Tuesday, October 28. InsideHoops is your online basketball home. We’re pumping out more content this season than ever.

Enjoy the season!

Warriors waive Rob Kurz

The Golden State Warriors have waived forward Rob Kurz, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today.

Kurz, who was originally signed as a free agent September 9, appeared in four of Golden State’s six preseason games, averaging 4.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 14 minutes per game.

The Warriors roster now stands at 15 players.

Don Nelson to sign contract extension

The Contra Costa Times (Marcus Thompson II) reports: Warriors coach Don Nelson confirmed after Saturday’s practice that he has agreed to a contract extension. A team source said the agreement was for two years and $12 million, some of which is deferred money. The new agreement, which Nelson said he has yet to sign, locks him up for three seasons, making him all but a lock to become the winningest coach in NBA history while with the Warriors. Nelson is 52 wins shy of current career wins leader Lenny Wilkens (2,612). “It wasn’t my idea,” said the 68-year-old Nelson, while toking on a cigar. “It was fine with me to weigh it year-to-year. But they came to me and wanted me to commit to three years and, uh, I’m pretty excited about it. It’s quite an honor really to be wanted. At my age, you’re lucky if anybody wants you. Hopefully, your wife.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: This is good news for the media. Because Nelson gives some of the best, most honest, no-holds-barred interviews of any coach in the history of basketball. It’s also good news for Warriors fans, because Don’s teams tend to always overachieve. It’s also good news for fans who like watching fun, fast-paced basketball. Other than all that, this is awful.

Warriors may get rid of Chris Mullin

The San Francisco Examiner (Matt Steinmetz) reports: We already know Chris Mullin isn’t coming back next year. But the fact is, he’s more likely to get fired this season than finish out the final year of his contract as executive vice president of basketball operations. That’s clearly the most logical thing to take away from the news that Don Nelson is negotiating a contract extension … probably a two-year job with an option for a third… Nelson and Mullin are both on the final years of their contracts. Nelson is negotiating an extension; Mullin isn’t.

Baron Davis back in 1 week

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Baron Davis underwent an examination today by Dr. Roy Meals, a hand specialist with the UCLA Medical Group. The examination revealed that Davis had sustained a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left ring finger. The injury does not require surgery and is expected to heal on its own. Davis will wear a splint and is expected to resume all basketball activities in one week.

Davis was originally diagnosed with a sprained left ring finger after falling on his hand during practice at the Los Angeles Clippers Training Center on Friday, October 17th. X-rays taken after the injury occurred were negative and a subsequent MRI revealed results that were inconclusive, leading to today’s follow up examination.

Warriors waive Dan Dickau

The Golden State Warriors have waived guard Dan Dickau, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today.

Dickau, who was originally signed as a free agent October 1, appeared in two of Golden State’s first four preseason games, averaging 5.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.00 steals in 12.0 minutes per game.

The Warriors roster now stands at 16 players.

Oct 17: Warriors 109, Bucks 108

For Golden State, Stephen Jackson shot 9-of-14 for 24 points and 4 assists, though he had 6 turnovers. Corey Maggette had 14 points, 4 rebounds, no assists and 5 turnovers. CJ Watson, off the bench, shot 4-of-13 for 14 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals. Brandan Wright, off the bench, had 14 points. Andris Biedrins had 13 with 11 rebounds. And DeMarcus Nelson scored 10 off the bench. As a team, the Warriors had 28 turnovers. For Milwaukee, Charlie Villanueva shot 11-of-18 for 26 points and 8 rebounds. Michael Redd shot 8-of-14 for 23 points. Joe Alexander shot 7-of-13 for 14 off the bench. Richard Jefferson shot 3-of-10 for 13 points and 7 assists. Andrew Bogut shot badly but grabbed 9 rebounds.