AP sportswriter Greg Beacham just published a report announcing that the Golden State Warriors have decided to suspend Monta Ellis, the 177-pound franchise player, 30 games for getting into a moped accident and lying about it because the activity was strictly prohibited in the contract he signed earlier in the offseason. The suspension period started retroactively on Oct. 5, when the Warriors faced off against the New Orleans Hornets in their first preseason game.
The suspension will include all of the Warriors preseason clashes, meaning Ellis will miss the team's first 26 games of the regular season without pay.
According to the Warriors' official website, Ellis violated paragraph 12 of the Uniform Player Contract, which highlights the following:
"The Player agrees that he will not, without the written consent of the Team, engage in any activity that a reasonable person would recognize as involving or exposing the participant to a substantial risk of bodily injury including, but not limited to: (i) sky-diving, hang gliding, snow skiing, rock or mountain climbing (as distinguished from hiking), rappelling, and bungee jumping; (ii) any fighting, boxing, or wrestling;
(iii) driving or riding on a motorcycle or moped; (iv) riding in or on any motorized vehicle in any kind of race or racing contest; (v) operating an aircraft of any kind; (vi) engaging in any other activity excluded or prohibited by or under any insurance policy which the Team procures against the injury, illness or disability to or of the Player, or death of the Player, for which the Player has received written notice from the Team prior to the execution of this Contract..."Clearly, Ellis has violated this paragraph and is lucky not to face any heavy financial cuts from the team. Robert Rowell, the team's president, said to warriors.com, "The cooperation that we received from Jeff Fried (Monta’s representative) enabled us to be very diligent in collecting all of the facts surrounding the incident.
"This 30-game suspension is a result of that. From this point forward, it is the complete focus of everyone involved to provide Monta with all the support he needs to have a successful rehabilitation, and to get him back on the court as an integral part of this team."
The team has taken a positive and successful decision toward Ellis, who violated a clear-cut message of the contract. They are very well aware that he represents the face of the franchise after losing Baron Davis. However, this is the weakest decision a player can face, especially when injured.
Ellis, who is potentially set to return in late December or early January, will be sidelined while the suspension is ongoing. True, the team has seized the advantage of the injury to impose the punishment. But, it's extremely weak, and I am not sure that Ellis will learn from his mistake.
In all honesty, this was the best choice made by the organization, but also a risky one to pursue.
Notes: Surprise, Surprise
Don Nelson has announced that standout rookie point guard DeMarcus Nelson will have the oppurtunity to be part of the starting five to feature in the Warriors' first home preseason game of the year against the Oklahoma Thunder on Saturday, Oct. 11.
Nellie has continually praised the young guard (no relation) for the defensive capabilities that he exhibited throughout training camp.
On the other hand, team captain Stephen Jackson has been featured as point guard amidst some training sessions the team holds. According to Nellie, his leadership skills have become more lively when he plays the point guard position.
12 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Yama Hazheer 9 months ago
He won't be playing in any of those games anyways, so I don't really see it as a big punishment.
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Khalid Shakran 9 months ago
Yeah, exactly. That's what I pointed out in the article too. But hey, who though D-Marc would have the opportunity to make the team man. He's hella sick defensively.
Thanks for the comment, Yama.
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Yama Hazheer 9 months ago
Did we sign Dickau to a contract, or just an invite? Cause I'd rather have Nelson make the team. Dude is impressive.
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Khalid Shakran 9 months ago
I think we signed him. But I heard Nellie say that he was an invite or somethin. So Im confused. Man, u hearin the Oklahoma Game right now on KNBR? Nelson is rippin it man. He's a hella good defender.
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T-Money 9 months ago
The penalty is that he won't be paid for those games causing him to lose almost 3 million dollars. And I don't think Dickau has a guaranteed contract while Nelson has pretty much locked up a roster spot. Surprisingly, he is playing better than any other point guard the Dubs have right now.
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Khalid Shakran 9 months ago
That's for sure. I am still not sure that Dickau has a guaranteed contract, like you said. And yes, at the time I wrote this report, the sources I got my info. from had not indicated that he will not get paid until December 17th..ultimately losing 3 mil. Only when Robert Rowell held his press conference before the Oklahoma game yesterday at Orcale Arena, did the news report that he was indeed going to lost 3 mil.
But...I think he deserves it. Your decisions, your consequences.
Thanks for the comment
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Shan 9 months ago
The Warriors are one of my most favorite teams, and it and it is because of Monta, I hope when he comes back he has more of a leadership role in combination with Stephen Jackson. They have many scoring options with Maggette and Ellis and Jackson and could make the playoffs as 7th or 8th seed but I see them barely sneaking in depending on how other teams do, especially Denver, Portland, Clippers.
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Khalid Shakran 9 months ago
Yeah..we all hope he comes back bringing along his "old self" back too. Ellis will probably lead by example, not the traditional style and characteristics of a leader of course because of what just happened.
I agree, they will probably miss out on the postseason..especially with 24 of the first 30 on the road this year in Ellis' absence!
Thanks for the comment
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Steven Resnick 8 months ago
People may say it's a weak punishment because of Monta's injury meant that he wasn't going to play anyways. What if he had never been injured and suspended for the 30 games? Then is the punishment weak? Also keep in mind it's without pay so it's not like he's making money while sitting on the bench. I think he'll definitely learn from the experience. A rash move would have been terminating the contract like some of the big wigs wanted too but Don Nelson and Chris Mullin spoke up for Ellis. I think the punishment was fair.
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Steven Resnick 8 months ago
People may say it's a weak punishment because of Monta's injury meant that he wasn't going to play anyways. What if he had never been injured and suspended for the 30 games? Then is the punishment weak? Also keep in mind it's without pay so it's not like he's making money while sitting on the bench. I think he'll definitely learn from the experience. A rash move would have been terminating the contract like some of the big wigs wanted too but Don Nelson and Chris Mullin spoke up for Ellis. I think the punishment was fair.
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Marcel Mansour 8 months ago
I think this was a great decision as even though Ellis will be on the bench injured for most (if not all) of those games. Ellis and the rest of the team will learn that if they break team rules, they will get punished. Ellis messed up big time and he is going to lose $3 million because of his mistake.
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Khalid Shakran 8 months ago
I agree, but I think it still would have hurt even more if they suspended him while he wasn't injured. I know that's hard, but that would have been a very tough lesson for a 22-year-old soon to become face of the franchise.
Like I said, it was an excellent move by the organization to cut him off, but with his injury, i guess it doesn't mean anything. He wont practice, he doesn't set foot on the court and just can't play because he's injured..so paying him would be useless. But I get u mean.
Now, Warrior fans have to deal with Mullin and Rowell's tone towards him. Will Mullin return next year?
Another great summer awaits the organization.
Thanks for the comment.
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