The Golden State Warriors: A Team in Turmoil

With the Golden State Warriors trying to unload some of their baggage on the tail-end of a long-road trip in the form of a four-player Stephen Jackson deal; it seems as if the load is just not getting any lighter.

According to ESPN NBA Analyst Chris Broussard, Monta Ellis and his representatives will meet with the Warriors front office to discuss at length his future with the team Thursday; this news coming just a day after the Jackson trade drama subsided with his move to the Charlotte Bobcats.

Ellis’s discontent with the team is long documented, initially disagreeing with the fine imposed on him for his scooter accident last summer which had cost the Warriors his availability for a majority of last season.

The disgruntlement continued into this summer as it was alleged that the Warriors front office promised both he and Jackson that an established veteran would be signed to help the team push for a playoff spot in anticipation that their No. 7 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft wouldn’t immediately help them this year.

That veteran acquisition never materialized before the season and consequently Jackson complained his way out of the situation.

Monta sat back and saw the Warriors use their draft pick on a scoring guard similar to his style and physique, Stephen Curry. Before the season even started Ellis lamented to the press that them two sharing a backcourt wouldn’t work, “period.”

However, with Curry proving himself night-in-night-out, it is becoming more apparent that Monta was just venting a deeper frustration on the new guy.

With Monta now the undisputed focal point of the team, it seems that the attention may be too little, too late.

With the Warriors identity beginning to emerge this season as young player development, it remains to be seen what roles those players will play.

One burgeoning star apparently questioning his role within the team is Anthony Randolph. With Coach Don Nelson’s hot-and-cold treatment of the player, his playing time, and his preferred position, Randolph’s long-term commitment to the team has come into question.

And with the recent acquisition of Vladimir Radmanovic, the deterioration of his development in this last couple of games might be a reality if he cannot find more quality time on the court.

Widely considered one of the top young talents in the league, Randolph’s confidence needs an immediate boost if the Warriors stand any chance in holding onto such a prized asset in the future.

Larry Riley, the Warriors General Manager, has recently moved to squelch rumors that trades were imminent within the organization, but has not totally ruled out the possibility the moves could happen on the horizon.

In Broussard’s interview with Riley he stated, "I don't have anything going right now in regards to trading people," Riley said Tuesday afternoon. He continued, "I will be working to improve our team throughout the rest of this year, and that process will be started quickly.

"I felt we had to get the first thing (Jackson trade) out of the way first. Are we in a position to not do anything? We're 3-6. I can't afford not to be talking to people. We're 3-6 and we need to continue to evaluate our roster."

Well, now they're 3-7 after losing a close one to the Cleveland Cavaliers and face the toughest opponent they’ve seen all season in the red-hot Boston Celtics Wednesday evening. 

Life in the NBA doesn’t get any easier and it seems the more they pack away their dysfunction, the heavier it gets.