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Opening night wasn’t supposed to be this close.

After all, without Baron, Monta, a banged-up C.J., an unhappy Al and the youngest squad in the league, the Warriors would be lucky to hang with the 2nd best team in the Western Conference by most accounts.

But close enough isn’t enough to get a win, and without a real closer in crunch time, this game could be an indicator of things to come.

There is a lot of fight in this year’s team. That’s one thing we uncovered in the Dubs 108-103 loss to New Orleans at the Oracle. Now if only they can get their offense in gear, they could surprise some people.

The Warriors were paced by Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette, both of whom will have to have big starts to this season if the Warriors are to going to stem the tide before Monta returns. Jack played all 48 minutes, but tired out in the 4th and ended up with 26 points, knocking down five treys.

Corey scored 27 and showed why the Dubs will have an inside game this year, getting to the line 10 times (knocking down 9 of them).

Unfortunately, the turning point of this closely contested game was when Andris fouled out with three minutes to play. ‘Dre played well, scoring 14 and grabbing 12 boards. But once he was gone, the Hornets kept scoring and outrebounding the Dubs down the stretch. Add a few critical Warriors miscues on their final possessions to the mix, and GSW is now 0-1. Chris Paul had a quiet 21 & 11, but made his presence felt when it counted, scoring twice with under a minute to play.

A hard fought game, but one that a more seasoned Warriors squad would’ve likely put away. Whether that seasoning take place during this season remains to be seen.

exclusive player audio

Al Harrington
Corey Maggette
Kelenna Azubuike
Stephen Jackson

Some news of note before opening night vs. Hornets…

* Al Harrington wants out. According to a report by Tim Kawakami, Al doesn’t feel he’s being used properly by Nellie and is seeking a trade. In fact, he’s wanted out since the end of last year. It’s a shame because Al is one of the real good guys in the locker room.

But will the Warriors bite?

Well, if there’s a way to fill a need by trading Al, I’m certain Mullie would do it. But Kirk Henrich of the Bulls (whose name has been associated w/ Al during the summer) probably isn’t the answer. My guess is Nellie and Al will work things out and Harrington will be a key 6th man once Monta is back.

* Nellie will be back — and for a few more years! I make no bones about being a Nellie supporter. He’s the best thing that’s happened to this franchise, and that spans two decades.

The two year extension he signed today is worth about $12 million, with some of that money deferred.

Nelson has the second most coaching wins in NBA history and will now be assured to break Lenny Wilkens record sometime over the next two years — barring anything unforeseen.

We all want to see what Nellie himself wants - “an ass-kicking veteran team that would have a chance to win a title.” And we now may get to see that during the course of this contract.

* Who said Nellie hates rookies? DeMarcus Nelson will get the opening-night start at point guard. That’s big news since the Duke rookie was a undrafted free agent, who was not even likely to make the squad. But C.J. Watson’s injury opened the door and little Nelson walked right through it. It’s his time to shine before Mr. Ellis comes back.

* Speaking of C.J. Watson, he is on the opening night roster, in spite of having a torn elbow ligament. He received permission from the NBA to wear a brace and is available for action. Unfortunately, I have a distinct feeling he’ll be a shell of the scorer he is until the ligament fully heals. It’s a shame because he’s a real success story. Here’s hoping C.J. gets healthy in a real hurry.

* Last but not least, Monta filed a grievance with the league with regard to his contract status — and for good reason. The W’s suspended Ellis for 30 games, which will cost the young guard roughly $3 million in salary, but they also want to reserve the right to terminate his contract should Monta not fully recover.

That’s double jeopardy by most measures. Hopefully, a NBA arbitrator can solve this mess before we have another Chris Webber mess on our hands. Warriors President Robert Rowell seems to be the point man on this decision. And if there’s not more than meets the eye, he certainly deserves the flack he’s been receiving. Terminate him or suspend him, but there’s no need to do both.

Here’s a statement from Monta, via his agent:

“To My Community, Friends and Fans:

I want to thank you very much for your continued support and encouragement. While management and I do not agree on their actions, I want to be clear that my injury is based on my mistake in judgment. And I always accept responsibility for my actions.

The Bay area has become home to me and I love everything about this community. I see the kids wearing Number 8 in the arena and around the Bay area and it always brings a big smile to my face and a sense of pride and responsibility. I accept that role because there were people in my life that made a difference during my childhood and into my adult life.

It means a lot to me to be an NBA player, and something that I have worked hard my entire to life to achieve. I also take seriously the impact that some of my actions have on others, and particularly our youth. I am working very hard to get back on the court and help my teammates and coaches win many games and recreate the playoff atmosphere of 2007. We were as excited on the court as the fans in the stands, and I will continue to work hard to make you proud of the Warriors.

Thank you for becoming such a special part of my life.

Warmly, Monta”

Will the Dubs get off to a fast start this season? You tell us…

And look for our season-opening podcast with Adam to come this weekend!

It’s semantics at this point, given the state of Monta’s ankle, but the Warriors officially suspended Monta Ellis for 30 games for the “Moped Incident.”

We’ve heard different accounts about whether Monta will be the same player post-surgery as he was last year, when he averaged 20 points a game and was clearly the best player on the squad.

But what’s more interesting is the message sent by Warriors management, namely team president Robert Rowell. This was apparently his call, not Nellie’s or Mullie’s. In a press conference, Rowell indicated that both Warrior icons have just one year remaining on their respective contracts - and results are expected.

So don’t expect any slack to be cut even though the team will be without their two best players from a season ago (Hollywood Baron being the other).

Will the Dubs coalesce as a team without Monta? That remains to be seen. They have a great young frontcourt (when was the last time anyone has ever said that about the squad), and enough veterans (Jack, Maggette, even wise young Azubuike) to put up a fight in the three months they’ll be without Monta.

All this move does is once again illustrate how fragile the framework of a pro sports team really is. First it was DunMurphy, then Baron, Monta’s hurt and Nellie and Mullie have very little room for error.

It should make for fabulous drama, regardless of the outcome, this season.

And just for the record, Monta will lose about $3 million of the $11 million he was scheduled to make this season. That’s what you call a real life lesson.

The Warriors severed ties with backup center Kosta Perovic, at least for the upcoming season.

It’s a decision that comes as a surprise given his youth (23) and upside. The Warriors drafted Perovic #38 overall in the 2006 draft. He has shown promise in the paint and will get a chance to develop his game further in Spain, joining Pamesa Valencia.

The big man will be joining a league that has produced a lot of current and former NBA contributors, namely Pau Gasol, Jose Calderon and Andres Nocioni. Rudy Fernandez, soon to be of the Blazers, was a part of that league (and lit up the US team during the Olympics, as you may recall). Ricky Rubio will be the next stud to leave to head to the association once he’s eligible in 2009.

The 7-foot-2 Serbian averaged 1.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in seven games with the Warriors this season. In an arrangement with the Dubs, his salary of $1.6 million for each of the next two seasons is now off the books. They will likely get first dibs for Perovic’s services should he decide to rejoin the NBA down the line.

His departure is great news for the free agents the Warriors have brought in to compete during training camp. Anthony Morrow, DeMarcus Nelson, Dion Dowell and Rob Kurz now have a legitimate crack at a roster spot.

If there’s one thing we don’t need around here is another battle between the front office and a player. Or frankly, any kind of controversy at all. Warrior fans who’ve been on the bandwagon for a while know all too well what happens when you get a rift of that nature. (See Webber, Chris & Sprewell, Latrell, among other examples.)

Word around the Oakland complex is the W’s are analyzing Monta’s story further, since the damage done to his leg and ankle aren’t indicative of a normal basketball injury. Head trainer Tom Abdenour rushed to visit Monta in Mississippi, so we’ll see what the W’s report in the days and weeks ahead.

Let’s hope Monta isn’t the the next Garrison Hearst, the former 49er running back who missed couple of seasons because of a serious ankle injury.

If Monta violated the terms of his new $66 million contract, what should be done?

Just when we thought the drama of the Warriors’ offseason was over, we get news that makes our stomachs turn. Monta Ellis will be out for at least three months after suffering a torn ankle ligament while training near his Jackson, Mississippi home.

Ellis is coming off a season that put him in elite company, joining Kevin Johnson, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and David Thompson as a 22 year old guard (or younger), who averaged 20 points per game and 50 percent shooting for the season.

Now the Warriors will have to rely on newly acquired Marcus Williams to run the point. Expect Stephen Jackson and Marco Belinelli to also have a major hand in running Nellie’s squad until Monta gets back.

Ellis was expected to take over the point guard spot vacated by Los Angeleno Baron Davis. More news on how this will effect Nellie’s game plan this year to come.

Baron Davis started his Warriors career with bang, leading the squad to a winning record in the aftermath of his trade from the New Orleans Hornets in 2005, while setting up big expectations for the future.

It appears now though B.D. will depart GSW with similar fanfare. Davis opted out of his contract Monday night, scheduled to pay him $17.8 million this upcoming season, for the greener pastures of unrestricted free agency.

The only question is whether this move will enable Davis to get the greenbacks he feels he so richly deserves.

In a sense, you could see this coming. Last summer, Baron had a much publicized encounter with former Lakers star/G.M./NBA Logo Jerry West.

West told Baron to stop sniping about a contract extension, play the string out and see where it all lands.

Davis did that, responding with 21.8 points, 7.6 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game, leading the Dubs to a 48 win season. In spite of having a record better than four Eastern Conference squads, the Warriors failed to make the playoffs in the uber-competitive Western Conference and ended up in the lottery for the 15th time in team history.

Warriors G.M. Chris Mullin has kept a hardline of late when it comes to signing long-term extensions, after the terrible deals issued to Troy Murphy, Adonal Foyle and Mike Dunleavy.

So the hardball play by Warriors management was expected. Davis’ response, though, has everyone thrown off-guard.

Rumors abound about Davis heading to the Clippers to join Elton Brand, who also opted out of his contract, to set up a version of Celtics-west.

Speculation aside, Davis’ apparent departure will certainly stifle the Warriors’ chances of getting back into the playoff hunt next season.

After their incredible showing in the 2007 postseason, all signs posted towards a Warriors run for a conference title. But this news only rams home the point that windows of opportunity are fleeting and the Warriors chances for a title may still be years away.

Melo may have been celebrating a bit too much after the Houston win. He was busted for a suspected DUI in Denver eaarrrrllly this morning:

Denver Nuggets player Carmelo Anthony was arrested Monday morning for suspicion of driving under the influence, Denver police said. The star forward later issued an apology through his attorney.Police said Anthony was driving south on Interstate 25 near 20th Street at about 4 a.m. when he was pulled over and taken into custody. Investigators said he was driving a silver Mercedes that was stopped for failing to drive in a single lane and failing to dim lights.

Just in case your mind works like a vulture; no it doesn’t appear that this will affect his eligibility to play against the Grizzlies on Wednesday.

An entertainment driven plea for the Warriors to win tonight and squeak into the playoffs from a hardly impartial Kelly Dwyer at Yahoo’s Ball Don’t Lie blog:

The playoffs don’t need the W’s, but they sure could use them. For four games or a possible 28. The postseason, especially in the Western Conference, is going to be such a knock-down drag-out affair (keep a tab on just how times you hear that line over the next few months), that it really is only an aesthetic addition should the boys from the Bay Area make it back for the second year in a row.

The business side of ball is on full display in Washington State. If you think you’re bummed about the dismal playoff chances for the Warriors, forgive Seattle fans for telling you to take a long walk off a short pier. The Sonics may haved played their last home game in the emerald city: 

In Section 118, four friends dressed up in striped jail costumes, each holding a different sign: “OKC,” “Bennett,” “Stern,” “$chultz.”

“What’s being done to Sonics fans is criminal and each one of these is to blame,” said Peter White, 29, of Seattle, holding NBA Commissioner David Stern and former Sonics owner Howard Schultz as equally culpable.

With Sonics guard Earl Watson at the free-throw line with 29.7 seconds left in the first quarter, a chant of “Bennett sucks!” rocked the house. At the start of the second quarter, the first “Save Our Sonics” cheer of the night commenced.

Word from practice today is that Brandan Wright strained his groin against the Kings last night and may not be available in tomorrow’s pivotal matchup against Denver. Wright has come on strong in recent weeks and was expected to play a role in defending the Nuggets’ Marcus Camby, one of the NBA’s top rebounders and defenders.

The W’s were otherwise very loose and in great spirits. Their practice was more like a shootaround, with players getting treatment in preparation for tomorrow’s clash.

Listen to Don Nelson breaking the news to us below, as well as thoughts from Baron Davis and Monta Ellis.

exclusive audio

Don Nelson

Baron Davis

Monta Ellis

Check out our special edition of Warriorscast taped live during the Warriors/Kings game.

Adam and I analyze the action as it happens, get halftime and postgame insight from AP Radio correspondent Ryan Leong and otherwise have a grand ol’ time. Let us know what you think about the live pod at mailbag@warriorscast.com.

The biggest game of the year awaits us all on Thursday. Let’s hope the W’s show their true colors.