The Monta Ellis Runaround

You read the headline now here's the fucking article.

Monta Ellis: 24.1 ppg 5.6 apg 2.1 spg .451 fg% 18.69 per
Derrick Rose: 25 ppg 7.7 apg 1 spg .445 fg% 23.62 per
Dwyane Wade: 25.5 ppg 4.6 apg 1.5 spg .500 fg% 25.65 per

I bet it's somewhat shocking to see Monta Ellis with comparable stats to top 5 PG and league MVP Derrick Rose and superstar SG and future 2010-11 Finals MVP Dwyane Wade. Admittedly he's a notch below those two highly popular players, but they are also better crafted teams and schemes and defensive help than the Golden State Warriors have been since their heyday. The current rumor purposes a trade of Monta mono y mono with Andre Iguodala.

The main idea being Stephen Curry becomes the team leader and gets some size and defense beside him. The problems arising from that probably include: lack of a go to scorer, not to mention Steph realistically having a lower assist total giving Iggy's knock of being somewhat lackluster off the ball in any half court offense. Or what about the multiple rumors that Steph was going to be nothing more than a pawn to give to Suns for Amare on draft night? Not to hate on Curry, I like him and think he'll be a great player in the league, but there are questions. Health may be another concern given he missed several games this year with a nagging ankle injury. One thing we now about Monta is his consistent output each game and his toughness. More shots fall when you play around the rim rather than outside the three line. Also take in consideration the unknown fact that Curry will develop. As it stands he is very comparable to the stats of Jason Terry, who was a sixth man this year. Terry isn't an awful player but has been considered a disappointment by many. Could Curry be nothing more than an undersized two, who can't defend most opposing guards and relies on the long ball?

To be quite frank, the Warriors brass has never given Monta his due respect. One incident on a moped is the only time he rustled some feathers, He has finally grown from all of that in spite of the seemingly distrust ownership has with him. I think it's time he got the back support from the team he's carried on his back so many nights. His stats are honestly comparable with the MVP of the regular season Derrick Rose. What if Monta had defense like that around him so even if he played the same ridiculous minutes most nights he wouldn't have to work as hard as he does on defense. Throw him some better fitting players and a scheme that is designed for him as the primary option on every possession and I guarantee his points, assists and PER will all increase along with the W's. This league is being drawn to more explosive, penetrate, drive and kick point guards and he fits that mold so well. The league and the Warriors included are suffering from a lack of paint cloggers, so these players are more effective and seemingly more prominent than ever. His vision is most definitely poised to find himself a scoring option then his teammates, however let me try and get a better scheme and some players suited for his game.

Houston sure does like Kyle Lowry but I think they'd still take a point guard of the future if it came around. So Golden State offers up Steph and contracts for Kevin Martin and Patrick Peterson and next years pick lottery protected. This allows you to add size at the other guard position but you get to keep the long range dead eye shooting. Plus Patrick Peterson is a good prospect, as the first big off the bench he'll give a good rebound effort and offensive production, even some from the low post, which is silently a need for Golden State. If the Rockets demand Andris Biendris then go ahead and ship him out. Go after Deandre Jordan in free agency, if not then there a some other mediocre options and you draft probably one of the foreigners in this draft. If you get to keep him and we are talking draft then I'm aiming towards Malcom Lee and Chris Singleton. Singleton says he can be the next Scottie Pippen in this league and that's at least what I want to hear him say. If he can actually produce that, then you get more size and a stud perimeter defender and it's not like Dorrell Wright is a certain or sure thing at the forward spot. Malcom Lee is not too shabby a defender himself and as a guard who can handle the ball as well as play off the ball he fits in seemingly perfect with Monta or Kevin. The other option would be one of the foreign bigs who, let's face it, are question marks as to what they'll be in the league. Big guys from other countries are the most mis-scouted group of players I have ever seen. You just can't predict someone else's human nature especially when they are uprooted from their homes and have such a culture shock coming to the USA.

Now you have Monta as the point allowing him to guard players more his size, let him keep a shooter but gain size by adding Kevin Martin, and pair that with a healthy David Lee who we have to train to just follow Monta and the ball to rim and clean up any messes, as your core. While none of the aforementioned are outstanding defenders each are gamblers who come up with consistent steals or deflections and could all pretty outstanding in half court or up temp offenses. Throw in Ekpe Udoh and Chris Singleton as defenders with that core and a better, or actually any, scheme on defense where our shortcomings are better hidden. The bench is also stronger you've got what sounds like a playoff player. Assuming they retain Reggie Williams and add a second round prospect that can contribute (which would likely be a project big man maybe Jon Leuer or a guard able to play both spots like a Nolan Smith) you also now have Patrick Peterson and Andris Biendris who would either start still or be Ekpe Udoh, both are good as a bench big. Add in assuming one free agent, maybe they go after Aaron Affalo, Deandre Jordan, Samuel Dalembert or even Tayshaun Prince (who may or may not be washed up) could come back to Cali. Also you always have to be aware of this years hidden gem shooters, Gary Neal and Shawne Williams always having potential to be tempted by the fast paced, volume shooting team the Warriors always are at heart.

All of that and maybe an extra pick next year, which could easily be used to get an actual center and you have a very deadly regular season and playoff team. I would agree that anyone else could very easily make an equally or even more compelling argument for Curry. Also a lot of my thesis, if you will, is based in unknown qualities of fictional teams and best case scenario endings. One would have to be quite stubborn though to not realize that these opinions come mostly from facts and knowledge of the game, especially its players. Of course that same person, no matter how naive and bitter that I considered Steph Curry nothing more than a trade chip, would have to try damn hard to not see Ellis as one the most excitingly, explosive guards in the entire league.

posted by Jason