Warriors players react to Don Nelson's exit, Keith Smart's promotion

Warriors swingman Reggie Williams woke up from his nap at 6 p.m. Thursday to a phone going off relentlessly. He logged on to Twitter and saw the news about coach Don Nelson being replaced assistant Keith Smart. He still hasn't recovered.

"It's crazy to me," Williams said. "I came in under Nelson. I just don't know what to say. It hit me by surprise. I'm just so happy to be a part of (Nelson's all-time NBA wins record)."
"Keith Smart is definitely defensive-minded," point guard Stephen Curry said. "I know a lot of teams preach defense in the offseason, especially teams coming off a bad season. But (defense) will probably play a little bigger role now."

Though the Warriors' lost the league's all-time winningest coach,

several players said they don't expect a drop-off in production.

"It's not like there's a brand new coach coming in," Williams said. "We'll still get up and down the court. We still have weapons."

Several of the players -- Curry, guard Monta Ellis, center Andris Biedrins, forward Brandan Wright -- have strong relationships with Smart, who has worked with them since they came into the league.