Before Stephen Curry, there was Monta Ellis for the Golden State Warriors. He was highly instrumental in the We Believe run and in the years after that. Unfortunately for Ellis, the arrival of Curry made him dispensable and he was eased out of the Warriors.
He had productive stints with the Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks before his career spiraled with the Indiana Pacers, as more younger guards took over the NBA. Ellis last played in the league in the 2016-2017 season, averaging 8.5 points in 74 games.
But after a four-year hiatus, Ellis is targeting a comeback. In a report by Alder Almo of Empire Sports Media, the high-flying guard confidently said he can still play for any team for five years:
“I believe I still have a lot in my tank. I’ve been trying for a couple of years. I just got nobody take a chance on me, bringing me for training camp to show what I can still do. The way how I walked away from it kind of hinder that a little bit because they didn’t know the mindset I was in, the things that were going on.”
At 35 years old, Ellis won't get a lucrative deal, and maybe not one at all. But the former Most Improved Player of the Year said it's not about the money anymore. He just wants to play the game he loves:
“I just want a shot. I ain’t asking for a contract to get $5 million, $10 million, or even $1 million. All I’m asking is give me a look. That’s all and let my game speak for itself. I just want an opportunity, a workout, and that’s not the end of the world, that’s not gonna hurt anybody.”
Warriors fans sure remember how special Monta Ellis was during his prime. Maybe, Curry can do right on him and urge coach Steve Kerr to take a look.
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