California Sports Journal

Salvaging a Disappointing Season

In his team’s first game since the All-Star break, Montgomery elaborated on his goals for a season in which the Warriors are all but statistically eliminated from postseason play.

“I’d like to see them become comfortable with themselves and their roles,” Montgomery said. “You’d like to see leadership emerge with the younger guys.”

Montgomery alluded to some pressure from upstairs to give more playing time to the team’s younger players, specifically rookie Andris Biedrens and second-year player Zarko Cabarkapa.

“I think management’s going to suggest that Andres gets a look-see, maybe Zarko a little more,” he said. “Just to enter the fray and see what they can do in certain situations – I think that’s fair.”

Playing without Uncle Spliffy

Tonight’s game was the Warrior’s third without veteran center Clifford Robinson, whom the Warriors traded to New Jersey on February 14. Montgomery called Robinson the “acknowledged leader” of the Warriors in the locker room, and said his tough defense in the paint would be missed the most.

“Cliff was our best post defender. He was the guy who you could put on a guy and he could really take him out,” Montgomery said.

Montgomery or Childress?

Montgomery got a little testy at a reporter’s question about who has had a better year – he or Hawks’ rookie Josh Childress, who played for Montgomery at Stanford. The coach finally answered, “I haven’t scored a single point so I think Josh has had a better year.”