#45 - Monta Ellis
“Who is Monta Ellis?”
The And1 ad featuring the Warriors’ young backcourt sparkplug leaves much to the imagination; much to anticipate, which given the way Ellis’ game has blown up almost out of nowhere over the past two years is completely appropriate. Three seasons ago, Monta was a scrawny kid buried at the bottom of his draft class (GS scooped him with the 40th pick), an undersized tweener who looked like a high school-to-pro cautionary tale waiting to happen.
He saw little of the court early in his first season, but eventually showed enough promise to crack Don Nelson’s usually rookie-segregated rotation and become an explosive bench scorer; the next season winning the MIP and prompting the Warriors to cut J-Rich loose. This season: 20, 5 and 4, doing Nash numbers (.531) from the field. Ellis worked a sick jumper to keep defenders honest and make his quick explosions to the hoop even more dangerous. He’s a threat against anyone, his explosiveness (we’re talking arguably the fastest dude in the league here) more than making up for his tiny frame. Also credit his defense: it’s cagey against larger two-guards, though his steal and a half/game results from many gambles.
Though he’s blossoming into one the game’s exciting young stars, we really don’t know who he is yet; his skills have matured so immensely over the last two years that it’s hard to tell just how good he’ll get. All of 22, he’s risen higher than anyone could’ve expected of him and Monta Ellis hasn’t even made a name for himself.
“Who is Monta Ellis?”
The And1 ad featuring the Warriors’ young backcourt sparkplug leaves much to the imagination; much to anticipate, which given the way Ellis’ game has blown up almost out of nowhere over the past two years is completely appropriate. Three seasons ago, Monta was a scrawny kid buried at the bottom of his draft class (GS scooped him with the 40th pick), an undersized tweener who looked like a high school-to-pro cautionary tale waiting to happen.
He saw little of the court early in his first season, but eventually showed enough promise to crack Don Nelson’s usually rookie-segregated rotation and become an explosive bench scorer; the next season winning the MIP and prompting the Warriors to cut J-Rich loose. This season: 20, 5 and 4, doing Nash numbers (.531) from the field. Ellis worked a sick jumper to keep defenders honest and make his quick explosions to the hoop even more dangerous. He’s a threat against anyone, his explosiveness (we’re talking arguably the fastest dude in the league here) more than making up for his tiny frame. Also credit his defense: it’s cagey against larger two-guards, though his steal and a half/game results from many gambles.
Though he’s blossoming into one the game’s exciting young stars, we really don’t know who he is yet; his skills have matured so immensely over the last two years that it’s hard to tell just how good he’ll get. All of 22, he’s risen higher than anyone could’ve expected of him and Monta Ellis hasn’t even made a name for himself.
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