OK, the Golden State boss didn’t actually use those exact words. But reach whatever conclusion you want from the following item that appears in today’s San Jose Mercury News, penned by Geoff Lepper.
Warriors Coach Don Nelson indicated Wednesday that Patrick O’Bryant, the ninth overall pick last summer, probably would not be recalled from his assignment with the Bakersfield Jam before the NBA Development League season concludes April 14. Golden State would have three regular-season games remaining at that point.
O’Bryant, the only NBA lottery selection to receive the D-League treatment, is averaging 6.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in seven games with the Jam but has fouled out twice and shot just 40 percent.
“I told him if he goes down to the D-League and isn’t a dominant player, there should be red flags all over the place, and he should be the first to notice,” Nelson said. “He’s not only not dominating, he’s not playing very well. He’s a long-term project. I really liked him the first week of training camp, but I assumed there would be great progress. He hasn’t gotten better one bit.
“I’d like to go to dinner with him, but I wouldn’t like to put him in the game I’m coaching.’‘
I watched the bulk of the Knicks’ 112-107 loss to Phoenix last night from the cozy confines of Paul’s on 2nd Avenue and as much I’d like to stay out of the debate, here goes. Jared Jefferies is a very worthy candidate for the Least Valuable Player award. While the severity of Eddy Curry’s calf injury might have Da Bulls thinking about Kevin Durant or Greg Oden all over again, The Feed’s Josh Alper opines, “Only Isiah Thomas can explain why Channing Frye and Jared Jeffries still get minutes and only Jamal Crawford can explain why he plays his best when things look bleakest.” To which I can only figure J.J.’s playing time bears some relation to his lucrative contract, while Crawford remains a mystery that might not be unraveled until long after the impending Martian takeover.
Heads up, Wizznutzz. There’s been a Darvin Ham sighting and despite the use of words like “arson” and “insurance fraud”, I hope we all know that in America (Saginaw, too!), a mom is innocent until proven guilty.