Monta: Jackson made ‘great decision' not playing him in fourth

The Warriors lost to the Portland Trail Blazers 93-91 onWednesday night, and it was a game in which shooting guard Monta Ellis didntplay in the final quarter.Ellis came out of the game with 1:02 remaining in the thirdquarter and coach Mark Jackson never went back to him despite the game beingclose for much of the fourth quarter.Afterward, Jackson said Ellis was under the weather and thatswhy he didnt go back to him in the final period. On Wednesday, Ellis refusedto talk to reporters after the game.On Thursday, Ellis addressed not playing down the stretchagainst Portland.Question: How do you feel today?Ellis: A little bit betterGot some(medicine) last night from the doctor. Still congested, but otherwise feelingbetter.More just body achesfatigue, what goes with it. I was better thanI was the day before (Tuesday). The day before was kind of rough for me.Question: Were you surprised Jackson didntgo back to you in the fourth quarter?Ellis: Not really. Nate (Robinson) wasgoing, everybody was jelling. I thought we had the game pretty much sewed up soI wasnt looking forward to coming back in. I thought it was a good decision bycoach to play those guys who were rolling. And thats what he did.Question: He said he approached you inthe fourth quarter and asked you if you could play. You said you could, butJackson said it wasnt the usual Monta Ellis Yes.Ellis: I dont knowI guess I soundeddifferent because I was congested. It was his decision. It was a greatdecision. Theres nothing you could do. We had the game. Its not like that wasthe reason we lost. We still had the game.