Ellis thriving in Nelson’s up-tempo offensive system

OAKLAND —  Monta Ellis moved from basket to basket shooting free throws during a break in practice when Chris Mullin came by to offer a handshake and some kind words to Golden State’s emerging second-year pro.

The Warriors’ vice president of basketball operations has to be thrilled with Ellis’ steady shooting hand and marked improvement less than a month into the season. And Mullin’s not the only one: Ellis, who just turned 21 in late October, has opened a lot of eyes around the NBA to his quick progress and untapped potential.

He was the only member of the Warriors to score in double figures in each of their first nine games, averaging 16 points, 3.3 assists and 2.4 rebounds heading into the weekend. And if Ellis keeps up this impressive pace, he probably will be packing for Las Vegas come February for All-Star weekend -- as a member of the sophomore squad that faces the league’s top team of rookies.

Ellis is thriving in Don Nelson’s up-tempo offense that has been known to go with four guards.

“It’s really great because that’s what I like to do,” Ellis said. “I like to run and get up and down. That’s the style of play I’m used to. He just makes me feel comfortable being me and not worrying about making mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Hey, I’m young.”

It hasn’t hurt that Ellis and Nelson immediately hit it off last summer and came to an understanding that the speedy guard would develop his game by assuming a bigger role in his second season with the Warriors -- and that his new coach would take an extremely hands-on, tell-it-like-it-is approach in the process.

Ellis and Nelson acknowledge his game is still rough around the edges.

“He’s killing me,” said Nelson, never one to hide what’s on his mind. “I love him dearly, but he turns the ball over. He still doesn’t understand the game isn’t that easy. Maybe it’s easy in his eyes, but there are just too many good players to not be playing at that high level at all times. He’ll go to sleep on me occasionally and make a risky pass he shouldn’t make. It’s just me staying focused with him so he understands he can’t do that.”

Moments later, Nelson added, “He’s really a great player.”

Ellis, among the final group of high school players allowed to turn pro last year before the league raised its mandatory minimum age to 19, has been a pleasant surprise so far with his production and hard work on both ends of the floor that earned him a starting job.

His small size -- he’s 6 feet 3 and 177 pounds -- hasn’t held him back, even if it dropped his draft status in 2005. The Warriors selected him 40th overall, in the second round, from Jackson, Miss. For Ellis, it was a chance to leave his rough neighborhood of drugs and gangs back home that easily could have steered him the wrong way as a teenager.

Ellis considers himself fortunate to be learning under the tutelage of a coach who worked closely with Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki during their formative years in the NBA.

“He made me feel comfortable in my role and what he wanted me to do, and that’s why everything is going good for me so far,” Ellis said. “I’ve got to stay on myself and him being the head coach, he’s got to stay on me so I stop making those mistakes. As the season goes on, I won’t be making those mistakes.”

Teammates Baron Davis and Jason Richardson have made an investment in Ellis’ career too, taking on mentoring roles for their young teammate. They know it’s in their best interest to do so. The Warriors are going to need contributions from everyone on the roster if the franchise is going to end an NBA-worst 12-year playoff drought.

Having Ellis around to run the point position has allowed Davis to work on other aspects of his game and attack the basket more in the off-guard spot.

“It’s tough at times,” Davis said of Ellis. “It’s a new position and he’s young, but he’s starting to realize how tough it is. He’s open to everything that people say. Sometimes he thinks we get down on him, but he always takes it in stride and makes up for it on the court.”

The 27-year-old Davis, the third overall pick by the Hornets in the 1999 NBA draft from UCLA, only wishes his game had been so advanced at Ellis’ age.

Ellis, whose first name is pronounced MON-tay, averaged 6.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 49 games as a rookie.

Ellis credits communication with Nelson as the reason for his fast start. A simple approach is working too. All Nelson asks is that Ellis play his game, learn from mistakes and value every possession.

What has most impressed Davis?

“His ability to learn on the fly,” Davis said. “When I was young like that, 20 years old, I only played at one speed. I’m trying to get him to play at different speeds at a consistent level. He’s doing a wonderful job for us, and I’m happy and I’m proud of him.”