Two seasons ago, the Warriors were one of the most captivating teams in the league. Led by Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson -- and a masterful coaching job by Don Nelson -- they made it to the second round of the playoffs, upsetting the top-seeded Mavericks before bowing to the relentless execution and physical pounding of the Utah Jazz.
Davis is gone. Jackson, according to several sources, recently told teammates he'd happily accept being sent elsewhere. Al Harrington already got his wish to be dealt. Sources also say rookie phenom Anthony Randolph, who some believe has the talent to one day be among the league's top 10 players, has been told he's not fitting in and could be dealt. Point guard Marcus Williams is seeking a buyout. Corey Maggette, signed last summer after the loss of Davis, is back in Los Angeles rehabbing a hamstring and one opposing GM said Maggette's agent is quietly exploring his trade options.
However bad it looks at 8-22, it's way worse behind the scenes. According to sources, Jackson, Nelson's staunchest ally in the lockerroom, was called into Nelson's car when he showed up for the team's shootaround before facing Orlando. Nelson apparently told Jackson he was playing poorly and Jackson, who had been fighting through injuries to stay on the court, was so upset he skipped the shootaround.
The common thread between now and 15 years ago is a major dispute between Don Nelson and others, with owner Chris Cohan supporting Nelson. Cohan's support, in light of what happened last time, is akin to investing with the same stockbroker who already bilked you.
Cohan did it then as a neophyte owner, choosing Nelson over Chris Webber when the latter asked that the former not be allowed to play the same mind games he appears to be trying now with Randolph. Instead, Cohan approved a deal to send Webber to Washington. The team, coming off an electric regular-season finish and playoff appearance, crumbled and Nelson was forced to resign at the All-Star break.
Amazingly enough, Cohan has done it again. This time, the battle pitted the Warriors' top executive, vice president Chris Mullin, against Nelson, both of whom entered the summer looking at their final year under contract. Mullin wanted assurances, sources say, that Nelson would not have a voice in personnel decisions. Cohan responded by approving a five-year extension for team president Bobby Rowell, according to a source, and a two-year extension for Nelson. Cohan has never said a word to Mullin about an extension, according to multiple sources.
