Coach Don Nelson might have success in his NBA career. Heck, he might even be considered by some to be a future Hall of Fame coach. He is, afterall, only one of four active NBA coaches with more than 1,000 victories under his belt. However, whatever he’s doing in Golden State—whatever he’s been doing in Golden State—isn’t working, and it may be time for a change.

Nelson’s “small-ball” approach, where the roster is filled with numerous versatile guards and small forwards instead of larger post players, hasn’t proven itself much in past playoffs. The problem with this approach is that, while it may work for the regular season, teams tend to slow down the pace of games in order to better execute in the half-court once the playoffs start. Since the small-ball style isn’t very effective at playing half-court defense, since there isn’t much size to combat the opposition’s post players, regular season success with the small-ball style seems a moot point.

Then there’s the next big question:  What happens when the small-ball style isn’t even working in the regular season?

While there’s a lot of talent on the Warriors’ roster, they are young, and haven’t been able to find chemistry. Golden State finished a woeful 29-53 under Nellie’s direction last season, and after three games this season, they’re 1-2. They beat a weak Memphis Grizzlies squad, got creamed by the Phoenix Suns, another “run-and-gun” small-ball team, and lost to a depleted Houston Rockets team. One of the team’s brightest prospects, Anthony Randolph, who finished the final month of the 2008-2009 season averaging 15.1 ppg, 10.6 rbpg, 1.5 spg, and dominated in the summer leagues, and plays the power forward position, is averaging fewer minutes so far this season than he did last season (13:54 per game).  Andris Biedrins, the team’s only true center, who averaged 11.9 ppg, 11.2 rbpg, 1.6 bspg and shot 58% from the field in 2008-2009 is only averaging 23 minutes per game this season, despite shooting 92% from the field.

How to Fix the Golden State Warriors

1. Who’s the Point Guard?
The Warriors have too much of a log-jam at guard, and too much talent wasted on the bench in place of guys like Ronny Turiaf.  First, the Warriors need to decide who its future point guard is. A hint:  it’s not Monta Ellis. Nothing against Ellis, he’s an excellent player, but everyone knows he’s not a point guard. He might pick up a few assists now and again when the defense collapses on him, but he’s not a player who will run a team. Rookie Stephen Curry, on the other hand, has shown that he’s a more willing passer and has a much higher basketball IQ than Ellis.

Possible trades: 

Warriors trade Monta Ellis to the New York Knicks for David Lee
Granted, this might not fly, and wouldn’t work as a one-for-one swap. Moreover, Lee can’t be traded until December 25, 2009. However, if the Knicks weren’t willing to sign him to an extension after last season’s performance, chances are they won’t want to sign him when his contract is up this summer. Lee is a hard working big man who can run with the fast guards of the Warriors, while bringing an interior toughness. The Knicks are wanting salary cap flexibility more than anything, so the Warriors might have to take someone like Jared Jeffries, who has another year after this one on his overpriced contract. Still, adding a proven big man like Lee would be just what the doctor ordered for this young Warriors team.

Warriors trade Monta Ellis and Speedy Claxton to the Toronto Raptors for Chris Bosh
This deal is probably unrealistic, though it works in terms of salaries.  If the Raptors don’t think they can keep Bosh, they might go for this kind of deal, especially if they’re trying to run the ball more. Claxton would be a lure for Toronto, as his contract expires after this season.

2. What to do about Stephen Jackson
Jackson wants out, and he’s shown before that he can be a detriment to a team’s locker room when he’s not happy. The Warriors are young and impressionable, and don’t need that from a veteran right now. Unfortunately, he still has a few years left on his contract. Fortunately, he can still contribute to any team. An obvious match for a trade involving Jackson is the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are desperately trying to win a title this season. Getting veteran Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas in return would be very helpful, not because he would fit with the Warriors, but because his large contract expires after this season. For that very reason, though, the Cavs are probably unlikely to want to include him in any deal. Getting young prospects, especially forwards or centers, thrown in—such as Leon Powe or J.J. Hickson—wouldn’t be bad either. At any rate, the Warriors ought to deal Jackson and hope to get some value in return.

3. Play Biedrins and Randolph
This is a no-brainer. Plus, it’s not like these two bigs don’t fit in with the rest of the Warriors. Both run the floor very well, and Biedrins’ ability to change a shot helps set up the smaller guys for easy fast-break opportunities.

It’s unclear what Don Nelson is thinking as the Warriors’ coach. Though, that’s been the story of his career. Still, something needs to change, or Golden State is destined for another gloomy season, despite having some very talented prospects.