Hustle & Flow

He can defend and fly with the best of them. But can the rookie straight out of high school stick in the NBA?

A A A Comments By Martin Kuz Wednesday, Mar 8 2006

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During a Warriors loss to Houston last month, Ellis provided what might be called sudden defense, triggering instant offense. As Rockets guard Luther Head knifed toward the basket and pulled up for a short jumper, Ellis, as if wearing spring-loaded high-tops, spiked the shot. Warriors forward Troy Murphy corralled the loose ball and passed to Derek Fisher, who drove downcourt for a layup.

The final box score failed to detail Ellis' full impact on the game. He twice forced a Rockets guard to lose the ball out of bounds, turnovers that don't count as steals. But never mind the stat sheet, Jason Richardson says. "Monta Ellis can play. That's just how it is."

Paul Trapani

NBA observers invariably invoke Allen Iverson's name when discussing Ellis' future.

Paul Trapani

Ellis possesses poise that "you just can't coach," says former NBA player Jim Barnett, a Warriors broadcaster.

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Ellis' emergence over the past six weeks has coincided with injuries to teammates. In February, 10 days after Richardson returned to the lineup from a back injury, an ankle sprain claimed Baron Davis. With the point guard's return to the starting lineup last week, Mike Montgomery may need to rely on algorithms to calculate playing time for his six guards. In discussing what he might do, the coach offers a firm hedge. "It's a good problem to have if you can keep guys motivated."

Despite logging more minutes in the season's second half, Ellis remains unassuming, reciting the scrub's mantra when talking about his own circumstance. "I just want to help the team win any way I can," he says. "That's what we're all trying to do." But fans fear that sitting Ellis will doom the Warriors to repeat the Gilbert Arenas mistake. Now an all-star guard with Washington, Arenas languished for much of the first half of his rookie season behind the fossilized Mookie Blaylock, the team squandering a chance to nurture young talent.

During a blowout win against Minnesota last month, one fan made clear his sentiments on Ellis, who was out of the game at the time. Standing up, the man yelled toward the Warriors bench, "We want Monta Ellis!" It was impossible to know whether Montgomery heard the demand. It was also impossible to miss the cheers when, a few minutes later, the rookie checked back in.