Steinmetz: Ellis Unhappy With Bench Time in Win Over Pistons

No. 15, 2010STEINMETZ ARCHIVEWARRIORS PAGEWARRIORS VIDEOMatt SteinmetzCSNBayArea.com

Well, it took a little while but Warriors guard Monta Ellis is unhappy about something. And this time, you could hardly blame him. He sure seemed to have a gripe.Despite once again being the best player on the floor for the Warriors, Ellis watched most of the fourth quarter of his teams 101-97 win over the Pistons on Monday night from the bench.Yes, Ellis was in foul trouble. But coach Keith Smart kept him off the floor for almost seven minutes in the fourth quarter -- from the 8:43 mark until the 1:50 mark. Smart took Ellis out after committing his fifth foul early in the fourth quarter, and the Warriors up 92-78.When Ellis returned with under two minutes remaining, the lead was down to four.I dont like it, Ellis responded, when asked about sitting much of the fourth quarter. I dont like it. At all.When Ellis was asked if it was tough for him to watch the Warriors lead dwindle, he said: Cmon, man. It was very hard to watch. Thats what I do. I play basketball. Thats my love for the game. Thats what I do. In that situation, I do want to be in the game. We got a win. Move on.As for Smart, he said afterward he would have handled the situation the same way. Ellis began the fourth quarter with four fouls, then picked up No. 5 when he fouled Ben Gordon with 8:37 left.I tried to buy time, Smart said. Tried to buy that time. If he comes in (earlier), gets a foul then hes out of the game. I would have taken that chance. Even if he came back into the game and we were down he could still make a play to tie the game or win the game.Luckily for Smart and the Warriors, it didnt come down to that.