It’s hard to think in a league with LeBron James and Kevin Durant that there will ever be that much competition for the scoring crown. Both of them have shown no let-up in their scoring game, and will always be the likeliest culprits to finish the season at the top of the charts.
However, after Monta Ellis exploded for 46 on the Rockets on opening night, one former Warrior teammate believes the Mississippi Bullet can be the best scorer in the league this season. Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports with the story.
Told Wednesday night that Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis(notes) had already amassed 27 points against the Houston Rockets by halftime, Denver Nuggets forward Al Harrington(notes) made a somewhat bold proclamation:
“Let me go on record as saying that Monta Ellis is going to lead the NBA in scoring.”
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Harrington, a former Warrior, thinks Ellis’ scoring will improve because new coach Keith Smart will give him more freedom than his predecessor, Don Nelson, did. Ellis averaged 25.2 points under Nelson last season and 27 points in 10 games that Smart coached. Thunder forward Kevin Durant averaged an NBA-best 30.1 points a game last season.
Monta will go up against Eric Gordon today—Gordon’s a good shooter himself, but he’s also been underrated for his on-the-ball defense. Can Ellis continue to replicate his madman pace from the season opener against a guy coming off a successful summer with Team USA?