Mark Jackson Says Monta Ellis Trade Changed the Warriors’ Culture

When Monta Ellis was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in March 2012 as part of the deal that brought Andrew Bogut, the Golden State Warriors’ team culture changed for the better. So claims head coach Mark Jackson. Per NBA.com (via Sulia): “It helped change the culture. Obviously it was easier to pull the trigger because we knew what we had in Klay (Thompson) and it was time for him to be a starting two-guard. And he does everything right.’ How did that trade change the culture? Jackson paused four seconds. ‘It helped change the culture,’ he finally said. Anything specific? ‘You know.’ It wasn’t just about acquiring Bogut or developing Thompson, in other words. It was about atmosphere.”