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Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 20
Posts: 1,273
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Mullin insists he stands by Monty (SJ Mercury)
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...s/13739680.htm
Excerpts of it here:
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If Chris Mullin is to be believed, and he has demonstrated no false notes so far, Mike Montgomery isn't going to be fired or shoved off into a humiliating, golden-parachute resignation any time soon.
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Even if the Warriors continue to stumble toward the basement, Mullin said. Even if Baron Davis and Montgomery never get on the same wavelength. Even if, heaven forbid, the Warriors' playoff-free streak extends to 12 seasons in April.
Mullin repeated that he has long-term goals, that Montgomery is in the middle of it, and that there is no reason to start panicking now.
He conceded that his roster has holes and said he'd like to make a major trade for a big man. He suggested the time is coming for his young core to earn the money he invested in them.
He agreed that he'd like to see Ike Diogu, Mickael Pietrus and Andris Biedrins become bigger parts of the Warriors' game plan.
But Mullin did not once point a finger at Montgomery. So, Chris, point blank: Montgomery will not be fired this season?
``No,'' Mullin said. ``It's not happening. I just can't see it.''
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Mullin's first big decision as Warriors chief was to hire Montgomery. Mullin doesn't want the players blaming the coach, and he doesn't want to give himself that excuse, either.
``That, to me, is a cop-out,'' Mullin said. ``Instead, I would say: Look at me. I'm the one that brought these players here and the staff.''
Well, there's another issue: Mullin brought in Davis last year, which changed everything about the Warriors, including expectations and player-coach chemistry.
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Is Mullin happy with Davis' play and decision-making?
``I'm not disappointed -- I mean, he's second in the league in assists,'' Mullin said. ``I do think when he drives the ball, he's more effective himself and for us. I think that's obvious, and I think he's done a good job of that . . .
``Baron's a huge catalyst.''
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While Mullin didn't quite agree with my 23-29 forecast for the break he emphasized that he isn't obsessed with just getting to No. 8. He's looking much higher than that, and that means into next season and the one beyond that.
``If your goal is to just make the playoffs . . . well, that's not my promised land,'' Mullin said. ``Don't come in and think that's your destination.
``Of course,'' the playoffs are ``what we're competing for. Of course. But to think that's the end-all is not true.''
Mullin confirmed that he had conversations with Indiana about Ron Artest before Artest ended up in Sacramento and said he wasn't bothered much by Artest's past. But Mullin confirmed he's really shopping for an effective big man.
Hmm . . . Chris, don't these good big guys -- whether it's Kevin Garnett, Kenyon Martin or Tyson Chandler -- tend to be very pricey on the trade block?
``I'm not cheap,'' Mullin said with a smile.
Mullin said he's waiting for his players to get on track after the clanked free throws, missed rebounds and defeats of the past few weeks. He's waiting, but not forever.
``There have to be some things rectified, no question,'' Mullin said. ``There's a lot of ways to do that; you can come up with so many things, physical facts -- free throws, rebounds . . .
``And then ultimately, it's me making changes with players. That's not a rumor; that's not a threat. That's legit. That's a fact.''
So it won't be the coach who gets dispatched. But it might be several players. That's if Mullin is to believed, and he's the most believable thing the Warriors have right now.
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__________________
Go Warriors!
Me at UCLA games:
UCLA Basketball 2006-2007 (5-0): Wins vs. BYU, UCR, CSF, Arizona, Oregon
UCLA Basketball 2007-2008 (5-2): Wins vs. Portland State, Yale, George Washington, Oregon State, and Cal, Losses at USC vs. Texas
UCLA Football 2006 (4-1): Wins vs. Stanford, Arizona, Oregon St, and USC, Loss to Washington St
UCLA Football 2007 (3-2): Wins vs. UW, Cal, and Oregon, Losses vs. WSU and ASU
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Mullin insists he stands by Monty (SJ Mercury)
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