Monta Ellis returns to face Warriors with Bucks

By Janie Mccauley

Associated Press

Published: Friday, March 16 2012 6:00 p.m. MDT

Milwaukee Bucks' Monta Ellis, left, and Ekpe Udoh, right, pose with general manager John Hammond before an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, in Milwaukee.

Morry Gash, Associated Press

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Summary

A billboard near the main entrance to an Oracle Arena parking lot still features a life-size picture of Monta Ellis with his white No. 8 Golden State jersey. He's pumping his right fist in celebration.

OAKLAND, Calif. — A billboard near the main entrance to an Oracle Arena parking lot still features a life-size picture of Monta Ellis with his white No. 8 Golden State jersey. He's pumping his right fist in celebration.

In real life, Ellis is coming to the arena for Friday night's game to suit up and start as a new member of the Milwaukee Bucks, three days after the Warriors traded him, Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown for injured center Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson. On Thursday, Golden State turned around and dealt Jackson to the San Antonio Spurs for Richard Jefferson.

Ellis was expected to receive a warm welcome from his old fans, saying after a shootaround earlier in the day, "They loved me here and I loved them back."

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