Nelson's Extension Gives Life to Jam
The Golden State Warriors have rewarded head coach Don Nelson with a two year contract extension, setting the coach up for an opportunity to not only set a record for wins with the Warriors but also setting up their NBA D-League affiliate with three more seasons of top-round draft picks for development.
Although the Jam are also affiliated with the Orlando Magic and have also been affiliated with the Sacramento Kings during their short history here in Bakersfield, the Warriors have by far been the most productive and supportive of the D-League structure, and the major reason for that is Warriors head coach Don Nelson.
Nelson has an old-school approach of not playing rookies in the NBA. With more and more young players entering the league, Nelson has taken full advantage of the D-League and the Jam to help get those players valuable playing time and NBA experience. Patrick O'Bryant, a top draft pick from a few seasons ago spent a lot of time here in Bakersfield as well as Golden State, he know plays for the defending world champion Boston Celtics.
The Jam have been fortunate to receive the big name picks to suit up here in Bakersfield, taking advantage of their skills to help the franchise while doing their part in developing those players into NBA capable players. The Jam can thank Don Nelson for his contributions the past few seasons. Although it was believed this was going to be his last season with Golden State, the news of the contract extension is good for the D League and the Jam.
This season Bakersfield is looking forward to possibly seeing four of those picks this season, Demarcus Nelson from Duke, Anthony Randolph of LSU, Anthony Morrow from Georgia Tech and Richard Hendrix from Alabama. With the youth of the Warriors, their finish this season could mean more top draft picks in the years to come and more future Jam players for the folks of Bakersfield to check out on their way to the NBA. While Nelson's extension gives the Warriors a chance to build their franchise around a solid head coach, while it gives the Jam peace of mind that their pipeline to NBA talent and big name players will not end anytime soon.
Although the Jam are also affiliated with the Orlando Magic and have also been affiliated with the Sacramento Kings during their short history here in Bakersfield, the Warriors have by far been the most productive and supportive of the D-League structure, and the major reason for that is Warriors head coach Don Nelson.
Nelson has an old-school approach of not playing rookies in the NBA. With more and more young players entering the league, Nelson has taken full advantage of the D-League and the Jam to help get those players valuable playing time and NBA experience. Patrick O'Bryant, a top draft pick from a few seasons ago spent a lot of time here in Bakersfield as well as Golden State, he know plays for the defending world champion Boston Celtics.
The Jam have been fortunate to receive the big name picks to suit up here in Bakersfield, taking advantage of their skills to help the franchise while doing their part in developing those players into NBA capable players. The Jam can thank Don Nelson for his contributions the past few seasons. Although it was believed this was going to be his last season with Golden State, the news of the contract extension is good for the D League and the Jam.
This season Bakersfield is looking forward to possibly seeing four of those picks this season, Demarcus Nelson from Duke, Anthony Randolph of LSU, Anthony Morrow from Georgia Tech and Richard Hendrix from Alabama. With the youth of the Warriors, their finish this season could mean more top draft picks in the years to come and more future Jam players for the folks of Bakersfield to check out on their way to the NBA. While Nelson's extension gives the Warriors a chance to build their franchise around a solid head coach, while it gives the Jam peace of mind that their pipeline to NBA talent and big name players will not end anytime soon.
posted by Corey Costelloe at
11:51 PM
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