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With Monta Ellis putting up the business in terms of statistics (26 pts on 45.7% shooting, 5.5 assists, 2.2 steals), thereâs an argument over how good he really is, and if he helps the team win. See RealGMâs Context In Statistics (Monta Ellis Edition) and Kawakamiâs Will the Warriors finally start splitting Ellis and Curry? for some thoughts.
Hereâs what I said about both a month ago:
- Stephen Curry is legit. You can see he can play. In the Celtics game, he got destroyed by Rondo early (thatâs when they were down big), and he got replaced by CJ Watson and never came back in. I think Curry will be be more aggressive on offense as the year goes by, and thatâs when heâll come into his own. He can already pass and shoot, he just needs to make a more consistent impact on the game. This will also allow Monta to cut down on turnovers as Curry becomes more assertive and runs a true point. On defense, Curry will be ok in the long haul. He can get some steals already, and heâs not lazy, he just doesnât have the experience or outstanding quickness. On the positive, heâs not short (I think he may be taller than Monta), and he rebounds (nearly 4 a game). He is the key to this team, in the sense that Monta is a star, but Curry is the key to get this team to reach that next step and be something real.
- Monta Ellis is amazing. In a way, he might seem like a ball hog, but they need to him shoot that much. When heâs not on the floor (and thatâs rare), you can see that the Warriors cannot score. Itâs like the 76âers and Allen Iverson. This is where Curry has to become more of a floor leader. If he can control the offense, the Warriors will be fine.
Since I wrote that, Curry won the NBA Rookie of the Month award for January. 
I canât disagree with Tim Kawakami, though. Iâve noticed it myself.
What should the Warriors do?
- As good as Monta is, Curry is definitely more valuable. Monta is an undersized shooting guard, while Curry is a reasonably tall point guard (6â2) with a short wingspan. I think Curry will put together 20 pts, 7 assists, 2 steals per game on 45% FG / 40% 3PT / 90% FT, maybe as soon as next year. As a rookie, even with the indecisiveness from playing with Monta, heâs averaging 15 pts, 5 assists, 2 steals on 46% FG / 43% 3PT / 86% FT. I dare you to tell me Curry isnât going to be insane. (Note: Monta and Curry are different as passers. Monta is a drive and dish guy, he drives, and then if heâs in trouble he may find you. Curry is a true point in the sense he is looking for you from the beginning)
- Monta is not Allen Iverson. Therefore, you canât build a team specifically to his talents alone and hope that will create a contender.
- As far as Iâve read and heard, the Warriors like each other a lot. And donât underestimate how important that is. See Bill Simmons discussion about âThe Secretâ in The Book of Basketball. The moped incident is in the past, itâs like it never happened. If Monta and Curry have personal friction between each other, okay, thatâs a problem. But if itâs just figuring out how to play with each other, then thatâs time. They both want to win, they both play hard, they are both improving.
- Why give up on Curry and Ellis? Like I just said, if itâs not personal, they can learn. Remember, Monta played with Baron and won the Most Improved Player award, itâs not like Monta has always been ball-dominant. Back then, Monta got a lot of mid-range jumpers from Baronâs passing. When Curry becomes the half court manager and Monta lets Curry help him, this will work. Seriously, itâs been half a year.
- If youâre going to trade Monta, alright, for who? I donât think you should trade or give up on people. Development and maturity are a huge part of NBA players, just like you and me in life. One idea I came up with is Monta for Andre Iguodala, an athletic, exciting swingman who can defend. I even asked (ESPN Basketball Columnist) Ric Bucher. Ric said no. (Ric is really cool btw, he actually answers people on Twitter. Iâve been reading him since he worked for the San Jose Mercury News when I was growing up)
As a Warriors fan, itâs not fun seeing your favorite player getting traded and let go- Latrell, then Antawn, then J-Rich, then Baron. Monta is not making obscene money, heâs not a problem in the locker room. Heâs still young and extremely talented. To trade him is just like a big F-U to to fans. What the Warriors really need, however is a perimeter defender and improving interior defense (I donât know whatâs wrong with Andris this year). Hopefully, theyâll resign Raja Bell, but letting Maggette be the 6th man (Corey is doing great this year, but with Curry and Ellis in the backcourt, they need a strong defender at SF to have a chance), getting a great defender at SF and then helping Monta and Curry play with each other would create the turnaround we need.
I would even suggest, an Anthony Randolph + lottery protected 1st rounder + expiring contracts for Iguodala. Or Biedrins + Randolph for Iguodala.
Remember, the Warriors should have a top 3 draft pick next year if they keep sucking, so thereâs some flexibility in what they can do. Even if they trade Biedrins and Randolph, theyâll be able to pick up a good big guy like Derrick Favors or Ed Davis. Brandan Wright will be back too- I still believe he will show something, but I guess thatâs the Warriors optimist in me.
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