SB Nation User Blog: sarangc

is this the beginning of the end?

sarangc — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:10:36 -0000

Fellow fans I post this piece in the hopes that Warrior nation can change my mind. We all know by now that Monta was suspended 30 games, but, that's not the issue IMO. In this article on espn http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3638098 it says that "both Mullin and Nelson seemed to be leaning toward Ellis remaining with the team without punishment. Rowell apparently didn't agree". Let's keep in mind too, that Captain Jack recently said Mullin hasn't been inovlved in his talks with the organization about a contract extension. And, how Mullin had an extension worked out with Baron which Rowell overruled. To me it seems like the wheels are falling off for us yet again. Say what you want about Mullin, despite his mistakes he was still able to put a good product on the court as he grew into his role. It's my guestimation that he won't be back next year and Nelly will be gone too (if he makes it through this year). This kind of instability at the top is not the kind of thing a fragile and unsuccessful can easily weather and I fear we might yet be reduced to the laughing stock of the league if the current trend continues.

Thoughts?

Stephen Jackson: You're one poor captain.

sarangc — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:37:50 -0000

Unfortunatley, in our society, money equates to power. Monta in many respect is still a kid and has a lot of maturing still to do and the people around him are probably hesitant to give him that guidance because of his new found status. This is where one's veteran teammates need to step in and have a heart to heart with a young player like Monta.

Please, for a moment, let's set aside our idealist visions and think in terms of reality. Of course a team captain has no duty to be a team shrink but he does have some duties', and in Captain Jack's case those duties were side stepped and very clearly so. Think about it, the guy has gone into hibernation this summer, he doesn't return the head coaches phone calls and the only player he talked to was Baron, a teammate that was for all intent and purposes, out the door.

Being in the league as long as Captain Jack has been, and, playing with trouble makers like Artest, Tinsley, and a good portion of that Indiana Pacers team, captain jack was ever so equipped to have a heart to heart with Monta and share his experiences of what happens when you go about things the wrong way. Those of you who say "monta should have known not to put his body in harms way" need to remember he is a KID and Kids think they are immortal. Who better than captain jack to bring this kid down to earth and explain to him how Ron Artest lost a year of his career, millions of dollars, his reputation, and started the downfall of a franchise because he made a stupid decision.

Not even as a captain, did you owe this talk to Monta, but as a friend and a human being. You shoulda said "look kid, your making a lot of money now and your too important to the team to put your body in harms way for no reason, we need you". But nope, no talk, no phone call, no nothing. Consistent and true to form as he has been the entire off season.

Look, am I blaming Captain Jack for Monta's poor judgment? NO. Am I blaming him for being pissed off at the team? No. At the end of the day everyone is responsible for their own decisions, and who knows if such a talk would have even done anything. But am I mad at captain jack for not being in any sort of communications with the players on this team when he is the only remaining leader?, hell yes. What are you a leader for captain jack? the money, the glory, what is it? A true leader cares about people and realizes he has duties that extend past those of others and he needs to stay true to those duties even when he himself is treading through the roughest of waters. You are a good player, and, I hope you get an extension and a good payday because you deserve it. But you are one poor captain.

My diary is assuming Monta did something stupid, or in the least, something he shouldn't have been doing because he was scared to tell the warriors the truth. I think it is a fair assumption to make, and, even though we don't know for sure yet, liars for the most part don't get the benefit of doubt. If nothing else this whole debacle has shown us that Monta is not ready to be a team captain, and, captain jack probably never was. Like I said he is one of my favorite players on the court, but, leadership extends beyond the court.

Poll

Would a good team captain keep in touch with his teammates during the offseason?

Yes

128 votes

No

39 votes

167 votes | Poll has closed

Breaking News: Monta admits he lied!!!

sarangc — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:48:43 -0000

The contra costa times just reported that Monta told the warriors he lied about his injury and that it was sustained while doing an outdoor activity unrelated to basketball. Here is the Link: http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_10398517. I think he decided he had to come clean because people were putting the pieces together ever so quickly. I don't know what good any of this does now that the truth is out because I think it's highly unlikely they will void his contract, but we'll see, as for now it means a lot of negative press.

Poll

Do you have a less favorable view of Monta because of this incident?

Yes

422 votes

No

460 votes

882 votes | Poll has closed

Future of Captain Jack

sarangc — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:55:08 -0000

There have been several reports floating around that Nellie [jokingly] said he called captain Jack several times and has gotten no response back. Mullin himself said that he has not been in contact with him. He followed it up by saying he did not speak to him last offseason either. Last season's off season, was not like this one's however. I cannot imagine how the only captain left on the team would not have one conversation with the GM or Coach or players after all the shake-ups. This worry's me a little bit. Think about it. Captain Jack has seen the dubs treat two captains, fan favorites, and two players which gave the team their heart and sole, like garbage. Potentially, his good friend Al might be gone as well. If history is any indication captain jack won't be offered a deal after his contract is over. The problem is we need his leadership to progress the young guys, but, how much leadership will he show knowing he is going to be thrown under the bus next year. Don't get me wrong, he will still have to play great so he can get a good contract next year BUT what incentive does he have to go the extra mile behind the scenes and help our vast amount of young players. How do you think it will play out.

How does Captain Jack feel and how will the situation play out next season?

Whats taking so Long?

sarangc — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:23:15 -0000

Why havent we signed up our restricted free agent's yet. Mullin has said with conviction many times that they are staying, what could be the holdup? how much more could Monta want than the warriors wouldn't be willing to give him? Beidrins is understandable because I think there is a bigger gap between what he wants and what he's worth. I don't know what could be the holdup with monta though. thoughts?

Bedrins for Billups?

sarangc — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:20:11 -0000

http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_9855185

Thats what Detroit is offering. I for one, say, DO IT NOW. It should be pretty clear by now that Bedrins is WEAK. Simply put, he has no balls. Every time anyone drives to the hole they guy is BAILING, even when its a tiny point guard. He is just getting out of the way, its amazing. I see it, then im like, did he just run out of the way instead of contesting that shot? (And the guy driving the ball is Nate Robinson). He is NOT worth anything more than the midlevel. Just because the clippers and the bucks get themselves into crappy contracts doesn't mean we should too. The fact of the matter is, he is an inconsistent rebounder, a defensive liability, but a pretty damn good scorer. When its all said and done however, Chauncy is a floor general, he is a leader, he is battle tested, trustworthy, proven, and just....great. Think about this we have 2 guys on our team (Randolph and Wright) that can not only be a "Bedrins" but better (they have defensive mindsets). BUT we have NOBODY on our team that could be a Chauncy Billups. DO IT, PULL THE TRIGGER, NOW.

Thoughts?

To hell with all this Memphis talk

sarangc — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:20:43 -0000

So I can't believe that this many people are juiced about trading for raw, unproven point guards that can't even fill their stat sheet on a 23 win team. And I can't believe that so many people on here would take any one of them with the cost of taking Pillsbury dough boy Antoine Walker and his 9 million dollar krispy kreme budget that comes with him. We’re talking about potentially 12 million worth of damage for a unproven player and a fatass who can't do shit on the floor anymore. This talk wouldn't be as ridiculous if there weren’t any proven pg's out there, but there are. Pargo....Solid player; Tinsley...solid player, proven starter, closest thing to a B. diddy type guard out there this year; hinrich...solid, proven, brings defense. SO lets stop talking about all these losers like Marbury and any player on Memphis when there are guys out there that can come in and help us today. Let’s not forgot that our team won damn near 50 games last year, were not as far off and as out of it as we all think. LETS STOP TALKING and THINKING LIKE WERE LOSERS.

Trying too hard?

sarangc — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:20:31 -0000

Judging the responses ive been reading here and my own opinions I feel safe saying the consensus is we are not going to get Brand. My attitude was that it was possible but not likely. Hearing on the radio today that Brand was also talking to the sixers made it all clear. This is all propoganda so the masses don't think there were any backdoor agreements before discussions were allowed. The LA media is in on it too, pushing the possibility that they will lose Brand, all the while knowing he ain't going nowhere. The league probably won't do crap because two good LA teams means more revenue. The fact that there is so much buzz out there about brand coming to the dubs, and now, talking to the sixers, only strenghens my feelings that it's all an act. What does everyone else think.

Poll

Is Brand putting on an act just to squash the rumors of collusion?

Yes. What a scumbag

58 votes

No. Dubs will have him signed by wednesday night

12 votes

70 votes | Poll has closed