With Baron Davis gone, and the Warriors most likely ending the bizarre off season, questions pop into your head about the man who cashed in a six-year deal for 67 million dollars, Monta Ellis.
Ellis is the best player on the team, and the face of the franchise. He hasn't been named team captain yet, but it might be happen with Matt Barnes and Baron Davis gone. Stephen Jackson alone won't be the vocal leader, they will need another man to take the pressure of off Captain Jack. Ellis could be that man.
Not only is he a beast on the court, but being in the league for a few years, Monta may have learned more than how to attack the basket fearlessly from Baron, he could have learned how to inspire the team and lead the team with not only what he says, but with the way he plays.
He seems like he is ready to carry the load along with Jackson for this young Golden State team. He doesn't have the ego of a big superstar, and wants to play team ball. He knows what he has to do, and wants to make others better. He looks like a younger Tony Parker with his mid-range shooting, passing, and ability to take it to the rack.
He might have to play the point guard position like he did in high school, or he may have to play shooting guard like he has been playing alongside Baron, but he knows that either way he will be noticed as the best player, and maybe even the leader of the Warriors.
His assists went up in the second half of the season last year, as did his scoring and field goal percentage. Ellis played like an All-Star, and some people were starting to notice how good he has become.
He knows what he has to do this year for it to be a successful season.
"I have to do more, but it's not just me out there on the basketball court," Ellis said at the Warriors practice facility. "It's me and four other guys. I'm just going to go to my coaches, my veteran guys, and we'll all try to lift this team."
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26 days ago
Ellis is a great up-and-comer and should land an all-star spot in the next few years.
Don't forget, he has magette working with him now as well.
26 days ago
It's Monta's team on paper, but, in reality, its the Veteran's team (Maggette, SJax, MONTA, Biedrins, and AL). Like he said during the media session on Wednesday (paraphrasing) "It's not Monta's team, you don't see MONTA written on the front of the Jersey, you see the Golden State Warriors."
This answer might be too humble to consider. However, I believe that Monta is still young to lead a team, adding to the fact that he just leads by example and not vocally. He WILL improve that, but I really believe it's not anybody's team now...it's the the Veteran's team now. Monta cannot do it himself because he is not the perfect leader. He's gonna get help from Jack, vocally, and Mag, physically. That might fit pretty well for him and take off some serious pressure.
Thanks for the article though.
26 days ago
I agree that it will be everyone's team at the start of the season, but by the end of the year, Monta will emerge as the leader of the squad, IMO.
from 26 days ago
I think it depends Yama. If they have a bad start to the season, then I guess what you claim might vanish.
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