The future of the Golden State Warriors has never looked better.  The reason, Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins.  The duo have taken off this year and primarily responsible for the warriors being in the plaoff hunt.  With off-injured Baron Davis and Jason Richardson missing games througout the season, Ellis and Biedrins have been there holdingdown the fort. 

Biedrins now in his 3rd NBA season is playing as good as any young big man in the NBA.  Averaging nearly a double double this season and being the only real big man on the warriors roster, Biedrins has made the most of his oppurnity.  Credit goes to Don Nelson for allowing Biedrins to go out and play.  Under Mike Montgomery, Biedrins was a afterthought and dwindled on the bench.  When he did get a oppurtunity to play he would commit fouls and be sent back to sit on the bench.  Like any player who didn't get consistent minutes he was over zealous when in the game and his aggressiveness led to fouls.  With the arrival of Nelson, Biedrins has excelled.  In Biedrins, Nelson sees a young big man who runs the floor,block shots, rebounds like a beast, superb quickenss, has good hands and can finish around the basket. Any warrior fan can tell you how important good hands are for big man, for years we were forced to witness Erick Dampier and his hands of stones bobble passes, drop passes and totally unreliable.  Whether hes catching assists from Baron, Monta, Jackson or anybody else, they all know that Biedrins will catch the ball and finish. 

Biedrins is still far from a complete big man.  He still gets called for touch fouls and has no real back to the basket game.  Those items will come with time as Biedrins puts in the work during the off-season to get better and evolve his game.  Although hes had a break out year, Biedrins is still does not get the respect he deserves.  The media has drooled all season long about Andrew Bynum, which Bynum deserves but he has not had the kind if impact Biedrins has had.  Maybe if Biedrins played for the Lakers or Knicks then he would be spoken about.  Insiders have said about Bynum that he doesn't have the greatest work ethic or hustle both of which are great characteristics that Biedrins possess.  Biedrins is due for a contract extension real soon and the way he has played along with his potential makes this is easy decision for the Warriors.

Monta Ellis in his second year has become one of the best scoring options off the bench in the NBA.  Ellis has started many games in which the team was without either Baron Davis and Jason Richardson.  He has been asked to play point guard on some nights and shooting guard on others.  Ellis has embraced the challenge and like Biedrins has made the most of his oppurtunity under Nelson.  Ellis doesn't have a set position, he is simply a BASKETBALL PLAYER.  Whether it is handing out assists or having to shoulder the scoring load, Ellis is up to the challenge.  Nelson wants Ellis to be his point guard of the future and has made him undertand that.  In practice, some days Ellis is told not to shot and simply create for his  teammates.  Ellis has improved his playmaking ability greatly but still is turnover prone.  Think of these turnovers as in investment in his future as a point guard because these he will learn from his mistakes. 

Ellis may never become the ideal point guard a looks for but he has other qualities that point guards do not.  Ellis is one of the most explosive players in the league, other than Leandro Barbosa there may not be a faster player.  Ellis also can finish with the best of them.  He can attack the rim with either hand and throwdown some vicious dunks as seen in the Rookie/Sophomore game or you can simply go ask Leandro Barsbosa.  Ellis like Biedrins still has lost of room for improvement.  Ellis does possess a nice midrange game but he struggles from the 3point arc.  There is no doubt that Ellis can become a better 3 point shooter but the best solution might be to emulate Tony Parker and just forget about the 3 point line.  This way he can continuously attack the rim and shoot jumpers he is comfortable with.  Like Biedrins, Ellis is also going to be due for an extension soon and I dont see the Warriors losing another 2nd round pick with great talent.

Warrior fans the future is in good hands with Biedrins and Ellis.