Are the Golden State Warriors Putting Too Much Hope in Monta Ellis?

The Golden State Warriors have lost a few fans in the last two years.

That's what happens when you go from being an exciting, fast-paced team that pulled off one of the biggest upsets of NBA playoff history to a dull, no-hope team dwelling in the bottom of the Western Conference.

Personally, I only took real notice of the Warriors because A) I'm a Stephen Jackson fan and B) I took interest in the conflict between Jamal Crawford and head coach Don Nelson, merely because Crawford was on my fantasy team and I wanted to know if he was actually going to be playing that night.

So really, the team doesn't have much going for it other than the seventh pick in the upcoming draft, and of course, Monta Ellis.

The 2007 NBA's Most Improved Player is the biggest story in the Bay Area this summer, as speculation grows about how management is treating him, and how long his future with the team actually is.

The Warriors have made it clear that they intend to make Ellis the main piece of the team and to build around him. They have stated that they want him to remain in Golden State for the foreseeable future.

Not too long ago, we wouldn't have thought this would be the case.

I think we all know the details of how Ellis' season began, coming off a great 2007-2008 season in which he solidified his status as a young up-and-comer by averaging more than 20 points a game, before injuring the ligament in his left ankle.

The ankle required surgery, and Ellis claimed he injured it while working out. As we now know, this was not the case, as it was revealed the damage was due to a moped incident.

The team suspended Ellis for 30 games (which was conveniently how long he was due to be out for rehab anyway) and he started slowly after coming back, not really having time to show how successful his recovery was.

Understandably, some bad blood bubbled up during these legal wars between Ellis and the Warriors. It happens when you try to forcibly take money from another party.

Rumors surfaced of management trying to shop Ellis, and of Ellis demanding trades; it seemed like neither wanted anything to do with the other anymore.

That has now changed, apparently. This week, reports have come out detailing just how much the Warriors are willing to invest in the young Ellis as the future of their basketball team.

General manager Larry Riley and Don Nelson flew to Memphis in order to sweeten Ellis up, and apparently offered quite a lot to the quick guard. 

"Coach came down here and that's exactly what it was," Ellis told KNBR's Fitz & Brooks Show on Thursday. "He said, 'I'm putting the team in your hands, on your shoulders, and we're gonna see how it goes.' And I'm ready for that responsibility right now."

OK. This seems fair enough: the Warriors are obviously at a crossroads where they need to pick a direction. They have chosen Ellis. And there are a number of good reasons.

He is young, he can obviously play, he has an exciting style that can help put butts in the seats, and he did show improvement after coming back from the ankle injury. Though he only managed 25 games, he averaged omore than 25 points per game throughout March and scored in double figures in 23 of those 25 games.

However, Riley has also reportedly assured Ellis that they will not be choosing a play-making point guard with their lottery pick on Draft Day.

So now Ellis is playing GM, too?

The team is now thinking about their drafting options based purely on what Ellis will think of them? I don't see that as a good sign.

That, to me, seems like the management is clutching at straws. They have decided the only thing afloat in the Bay is Ellis, so they're going to all grab onto him hard, even if they still end up sinking.

But is he worth it? Shouldn't the team be concentrating on what they need or the talent available, rather than keeping Ellis happy? They're almost acting as if he's LeBron James.

As mentioned previously, Ellis expressed interest in leaving the team, and still has bad blood with management, so will this all be a waste of time if Ellis wants to walk as soon as he can anyway?

Shouldn't the Warriors be concentrating on someone who wants to be with the team?

Understand, this is no knock on Monta Ellis. As mentioned, he is an incredibly skilled basketball player. He has a chance to be a star of the future, like so many labeled him two years ago, and it's definitely not all that hard to imagine him earning an All-Star berth down the road.

He has publicly stated his desire to stay with the team, too—"I'm not thinking about leaving," he said. "It hasn't come across my mind. The only thing I want to do is win.

"...I don't know where that stuff has come out, but right here, right now, I'll set the record straight—that never came from me and I'm a Warrior. And you don't have to worry about Monta Ellis, because No. 8 will be in a Warriors jersey next year."

No disrespect to him in any way; this is more about wondering what the management is thinking.

If they want Ellis to be their centerpiece, then that's fair enough. He is the highest-paid player on your team, and the one who gets his name in the headlines the most.

But make sure he is worth building around. Don't sell the team down the river in order to just keep him.

I think this stems from the fact that as a GM, it is better to be seen doing something than nothing.

I said earlier that the number of Golden State fans has lessened. So Riley is now saying, ''Yes, but look, Monta is here, he shall surely save the day," to keep the fans interested, as if this is much better than saying, ''Yeah, we lose a lot but remember 2007? That was a good year.''

Ellis can easily be a star for the Warriors, and can definitely help them in their quest to return to the postseason and make themselves relevant again, but that doesn't mean the Warriors have to put all their eggs in his basket.

As always, I would love to know what you think the Warriors should be doing.