GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Blueprint for Larry Ellison

Stephen "The Franchise" Curry
photo: Rocky Widner

Dear Larry/Rich Dude:

Many thanks for spending your hard-earned millions on my hometown team. As you get settled into that Oracle Arena owner's box, take a look at these ideas from a long-suffering fan:

Step 1: It All Begins With Stephen "The Franchise" Curry

The kid is the real deal. In the 82nd game of the season, Curry exploded against the Portland Trailblazers for 42 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. The game marked the end of a spectacular season in which Curry steadily progressed as a player and leader.

Although the Warriors were Monta Ellis' team when the season began, the center of gravity began to shift to Curry around mid-season. Ellis played valiantly, but when he went down with an injury, Curry took control of the offense. The team suddenly developed a new flow, with better ball movement, more players involved and less selfish play. Although the team was still overmatched in size and talent, the Warriors were almost always competitive with Curry in the game.

The task now is to build a team around Curry. Just like Derrick Rose in Chicago — another phenomenal young point guard on the path to greatness — Curry needs some big, tough players around him. Chicago center Joakim Noah is the ideal here: a 7-foot-1 energy player who can run the court, grab offensive rebounds and play tough defense. The Warriors have great guard play and can run and gun with anyone, but until Curry has low-post muscle the Warriors' will not be playoff-bound.

Step 2: Party With Nellie — in Maui!

Give Don Nelson his props. The man has won more games than any other coach in NBA history. He brought the Warriors to the playoffs in two different coaching stints. He continues to identify talented players others ignore (from long-ago finds like Mario Eli to present-day gems like C.J. Watson). And the man is an offensive mastermind who has changed the NBA through his experiments with player matchups and tempo.

That said, as the present coach of the Warriors, Nelson is toxic. He is incapable of developing quality big men and he struggles to connect with today's brash-yet-sensitive young players. In the past year alone, he has alienated Andris Biedrins and Anthony Randolph, two of our most valuable talents.

Nellie is an industrial-age coach in a 21st century game. Browbeating and domineering are ways of the past. Successful coaches like Mike Brown and Scott Brooks instead encourage and empower their players. Nelson won over 1,300 games doing it his way, but a new era is upon us. Buy Don a mai-tai and let's call it a career.

Step 3: Cash in Some Talent, and Rebuild

The Dubs have a lot of talented players on their roster. With some savvy moves, we might actually trade our way to a competitive team.

• Monta Ellis. Our most valuable trade commodity, a man who averages 25 points and five assists and did not complain when the front office threatened to void his contract. Ellis should be exchanged for a solid power forward or center.
• C.J. Watson. Another nice trade chip as a third guard for a championship contender. Explosive scorer and great energy off the bench.
• Andris Biedrins. Last year the Warriors might have traded Biedrins and Ellis to Phoenix for Amar'e Stoudamire. Alas, after a year of Nellie criticism and unfortunate injury, Biedrins' trade value has diminished. Still, "you can't teach height" and this 7-footer might be a nice trade component.

Step 4: Prepare for the Long Haul

Warriors fans are still patient. We know that real rebuilding takes time.

Years ago I remember seeing an NBA season preview magazine hyping the Warriors — yes, the Warriors — as NBA championship contenders. Who was on the cover? Latrell Sprewell. That was the last time the Warriors really had a chance, when Sprewell was a promising second-year player and the Warriors had Webber, Hardaway, Mullin, Richmond and a roster full of hungry guys. We need to get back to that time again, when the Warriors were not only a fun team to watch, but also a force to be reckoned with.

Michael Siegel is offering his strategic consulting services to the next Warriors owner. "Hit me up, Larry!"