» Blog Archive » Warriors practice update: Another step forward for Monta Ellis, 10 days off (at least) for Marco Belinelli

Jan
13

Warriors practice update: Another step forward for Monta Ellis, 10 days off (at least) for Marco Belinelli

Filed under: News; Tagged as: Andris Biedrins, Anthony Morrow, Anthony Randolph, Brandan Wright, C.J. Watson, Chris Mullin, Corey Maggette, Jamal Crawford, Jermareo Davidson, Kelenna Azubuike, Marco Belinelli, Marcus Williams, Michael Marks, Monta Ellis, Rob Kurz, Ronny Turiaf, Stephen Jackson

By Geoff Lepper
48minutes.net

OAKLAND — Warriors guard Monta Ellis participated Tuesday in his first 5-on-5 drills of the season, mostly of the half-court variety. And with the team announcing that Marco Belinelli would miss 10 days, at a minimum, because of his badly sprained right ankle, the idea of seeing Ellis get on the court must be growing that much more alluring.

Ellis played on the White team (the reserves), in a small ball lineup alongside C.J. Watson, Marcus Williams (back from the flu), Jermareo Davidson and Rob Kurz. Ellis still wasn’t going 100 percent — this was the portion of practice where the Warriors work on individual sets, so it was a clear step down from the level of effort in a full-court scrimmage — but it is the closest he’s come to full-speed work since tearing up his left ankle in an August moped accident.

Ellis guarded Corey Maggette at the 3, and his mid-range jumper looked as smooth as ever as he dropped it in from 18 feet over Jamal Crawford and Anthony Morrow.

On the occasions when the teams would sprint downcourt (which would happen after the defense came up with a stop and a defensive board), Ellis often remained in the middle of the pack. But there were flashes of the player who was one of the two biggest reasons behind Golden State’s 48 wins last season, such as when he took the ball following a defensive board by Davidson and then went from beyond the mid-court line to the rim in five steps, finishing with a pretty finger roll. Or when Ellis quickly circled around Maggette at the top of the key and came up with a steal.

Belinelli sat and watched most of practice with an air cast on his right ankle. Kelenna Azubuike, Stephen Jackson (strained right hamstring), Brandan Wright (partially dislocated left shoulder) and Andris Biedrins all sat out as well. No explanation was immediately available for Biedrins’ absence.

Notes
The Blue team, aka “What’s left of the starting five,” consistsed of Crawford, Morrow, Maggette, Anthony Randolph and Ronny Turiaf. . . . Maggette was careful not to deliver a similar elbow to Ellis as he did to Williams when Williams tried to front him on one occasion. Maggette pushed Williams away with his right arm, a move that sent Williams bouncing across the court. . . . Grist for the conspiracy mill: Executive vice president Chris Mullin, who has been seldom seen at practice in recent weeks, was back in his familiar courtside seat at practice. He was visited there for about 10 minutes by Michael Marks, who has been the most consistently visible member of the minority ownership group at practices this season.

11 Responses to “Warriors practice update: Another step forward for Monta Ellis, 10 days off (at least) for Marco Belinelli”

jsl January 13th, 2009 at 2:15 pm

Nice story on Monta, Geoff. Can you give us any info on whether he’s starting to elevate of that left ankle yet? From what I’ve seen he’s limited to about six inches off the ground.
Jon January 13th, 2009 at 2:20 pm

Geoff,

Have you seen anything from Davidson to believe he’s worth an 11th day?

I assume Kelenna is sitting out with the head/neck injury he suffered against Indiana - anything else wrong with him?

and

Million-dollar question:

Are the Warriors a better team without Stephen Jackson? Surprisingly, simple +/- indicates we are, although the “minus” part is a far smaller minute total. Jack’s low TS% and turnovers, however, lead me to believe that it’s a viable theory. . .
Scotty January 13th, 2009 at 3:37 pm

jsl,

Here’s a video from Steinmetz of a little of the 5 on 5. He doesn’t really look to be limited at all. Apparently he’s saying the only thing holding him back at this point is his conditioning.

http://www.examiner.com/x-441-Golden-State-Warriors-Examiner
Geoff Lepper January 13th, 2009 at 3:38 pm

jsl: He elevated just fine on the finger roll, where he glided in from the free throw line and launched maybe 4 feet from the rim. I’m almost positive that he took off from his left foot, but I didn’t watch closely enough, and there’s no replay available, unfortunately.

Jon: See the front page regarding Davidson.

I assume that as well, but didn’t hear anything from the team.

I would say no, and will write a post explaining why a little later.
JustPuked January 13th, 2009 at 4:44 pm

Thanks for the link Scotty, that jumper looked as effortless as ever.
Warrior Matt January 13th, 2009 at 10:43 pm

Who would have thought a few months ago we would be worried because Belinelli was going to miss some games. At least that’s a positive.
Chris Cohan January 14th, 2009 at 9:52 am

We’re nowhere close.
Bay Area Sports Guy » Blog Archive » NBA Tuesday: BASG All-Star Reserves January 16th, 2009 at 2:35 am

[...] Pacers was first game of a seven-game homestand…Golden State is 7-8 at home, 4-20 on the road…Monta participated in his first 5-on-5 drills of the season in today’s practice; no word on when he‘ll be back playing actual games…Kelenna [...]
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