It's not a miracle. Calling it a miracle would imply that the Golden State Warriors' first-round victory over the Dallas Mavericks defied natural law—that it was a fluke, an anomaly. Calling it a miracle would be a slap in the face to every Warriors player, each of whom fought his heart out in taking down the best team in the NBA.
No, it's not a miracle.
In fact, if you watched the two teams during the regular season, you knew the smart money was on Golden State.
The signs started early in the year, on November 6th, when the Warriors edged out a struggling Mavericks squad 107-104. The Warriors went toe-to-toe with Dirk Nowitzki and Co. the entire way—they played hard, they played smart, and no, the win was no fluke.
Round Two didn't come until March 12th, when the Mavericks were no longer struggling. Actually, they were 42 games over .500. The Warriors were six games under. And still, the Warriors won again, in a high-scoring affair that proved Don Nelson's team still had the Mavs' number.
Their last encounter, just before the playoffs, was pretty much a write-off. Instead of letting his star players get a feel for the Warriors' tempo, Avery Johnson sat them all. The Warriors went on to a 29-point rout of the Dallas B-team.
When the playoffs began, most NBA fans were already waiting for the "real" matchup in the Conference Finals between Dallas and either the Suns or the Spurs.
Me?
I went out on a limb and called the first round for the Warriors.
People said I was mad—and to be fair, my hopes for the Warriors weren't exactly high. Still, I didn't write them off. Six games later, Dirk and Mark Cuban are going golfing, while Baron Davis' crew is gearing up for the second round.
How'd it happen? There are a number of reasons why the Warriors deserved the win—and, for the record, none of them include divine intervention.
Shutting Down Nowitzki
Apart from brief flashes of his regular-season brilliance, Nowitzki was a ghost in this series. Under the watchful eye of Don Nelson, the Warriors effectively neutralized the big German, reducing him to a shadow of his MVP-self. Now, Dirk didn't play poorly, per se—but when his team needed him to be the man, to give them that extra little lift...he was nowhere to be found.
Nellie Had Avery's Number
Don't forget that Johnson was Nelson's protege—and that much of the Dallas system is at least influenced by Nelson's style. Whatever your opinion of the man himself, there's no more qualified —Maverick killer— than Don Nelson.
And look at the way the series played out: The Warriors were there on every Dallas pick-and-roll. They had an answer for every Dallas set play. Nelson adjusted his game plan to offset the more skilled Mavericks squad...while Avery stayed rigid and slack-jawed as the Warriors cruised to one easy win after another.
Heart
It's the cheesiest explanation for a win, but Golden State oozed determination in this series. The Warriors played like they had nothing to lose; the Mavericks played like they were saving their energy for the next round. And you'd better believe Baron Davis and his boys fed off the fans in Oakland. Just look at that golden sea of rowdies at Oracle Arena—you won't find a more rabid atmosphere in the 2007 playoffs.
Many "experts" will say the Warriors pulled off the greatest upset in NBA history—but the only people upset are those who sold the Warriors short. Whether Golden State has a chance in the upcoming rounds is another story entirely. For right now, though, this basketball fan isn't surprised in the least.
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about 1 year ago
I gave the Mavs defense too much credit in my Western Conference Preview but knew this series would be murder for the Mavs. Though I picked the Mavs to win, I wrote that it would be the most entertaining 1-8 matchup in recent memory. I think that description worked out fine :)
about 1 year ago
Well put Sang: this win for the Warriors wasn't a miracle at all. There was no act of God involved where David somehow overcame Goliath. In this series, David was Goliath.
The Warriors completely outplayed the Mavericks consistently throughout the series, running up and down the floor, stuffing threes in the face of defenders and rising to the challenge when it really counted. The Mavericks simply could not deal with the momemtum the Warriors were carrying into the series after such a spectacular season finish. The fact that the Warriors won this series has just as much to do with their brilliant play as it does with the Mavericks not playing "up to their potential."
Simply put: the Warriors are on a tear. Right now they are one of the best teams in the NBA. This team gelled at the exact right moment, and they are at the height of their game. They want to win and know they can win the only question is how far they can go.
Baron Davis gets injured? He rallied through it and continued to open up the Golden State offense with his dribble penetration, solid defense and clutch shooting. Stephen Jackson is a total punk? Well that punk knocked down seven 3 pointers and scored 33 in the series clincher. Don Nelson is a lush? Without question but drunk or not, he sure knows how to wipe the floor with his former team.
The Warriors are the real deal, and anyone who couldn't see that before surely sees it now.
As for the next series: God I hope the Rockets beat the Jazz. How fun is it going to be to run all over Yao??
about 1 year ago
This is the biggest upset since _______.
Can someone please fill that in for me? I'm tempted to say New England over Rams in their first Super Bowl?
about 1 year ago
Depending on the health of Baron Davis, I think Phoenix is the only team in the playoffs the Warriors can't beat in a 7-game series. The Suns play the Warriors style better than GSW. Any other team can fall victim to the W's unique (read: reckless) approach.
I think Golden State would fare better against Houston than Utah in the Western Semis, so I hope they get the Rockets.
about 1 year ago
It really is unfortunate that there's such a big break between last nights game the the first game of the second round. It could only diffuse some of that adrenaline the team's built up.
about 1 year ago
Last upset this big: George Mason reaching the final four.
In response to Mr. Bradley - I agree that the Warriors match up better with Houston than with Utah (in fact, I see the Warriors dispatching Houston in a very similar manner to Dallas - 6 games with Houston winning two at home). With Boozer and Okur inside-out abilities, the Jazz at least have a shot of forcing the Warriors to get away from small ball...but GS has to be the favorite against both opponents.
I do disagree with the Suns vs. Spurs issue. I think the Warriors inherently will struggle most against a team with a competent offensive big man (who can pass and run the floor), which is why Tim Duncan and the Spurs probably match up a little better against the W's. A Suns v. Warriors series would be total pandemonium.
about 1 year ago
Screw momentum...let's get healthy! Baron and Barnes were each on one leg last night, and word is J-Rich isn't 100%. We need all the break we can get between now and tip-off of Round 2.
about 1 year ago
K-Fed getting Brit not once, but TWICE!
about 1 year ago
The Suns or Spurs can play with Golden State, but they will do just like Dallas did and be forced to try and matchup with the small lineup, which will favor Golden State. GS forces their opponents to matchup and change their starting lineups which plays right into their hands. Besides Steve Nash or Tony Parker will not be able to stop Baron Davis and he will wear down either of those small guards which will affect the way that they play on the offensive side. Believe me, Golden State's big guards are a tough handle for any team.
about 1 year ago
but i think warriors 1-4 vs. both Spurs and Suns this season? Let's get through one more round first though.
about 1 year ago
I like cheese
about 1 year ago
What does that mean.....
about 1 year ago
Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Houston is a great matchup. Utah not as good but doable. While the results haven't been great, the W's have played Phoenix well this year, and that series could go either way, but would be tough. San Antonio is one level higher on degree of difficulty.
But lets remember, the W's aren't world-beaters yet, just a team on a roll that happened to have Dallas' number. Like Nellie's been saying: One game at a time, just lucky to be here...
about 1 year ago
After the fact, a lot of folks are making good points about how the Warriors matched up favorably with Dallas and how they could be more than a handful for Houston or even, Utah. But the fact is, I was just thrilled that we got into the playoffs. I didn't think we would dismantle the Mavericks - I was just hoping we would look good. Well, Great Gobs of Grief with Gravy, didn't the Warriors look good...or is glorious too strong? I think San Antonio would give us the most trouble - we seem to match up poorly with them. Now Phoenix? I don't know who would win, but wow, it would be an exciting series, doncha think?
about 1 year ago
I believe that the Warriors have made basketball fun again, at least in the Bay Area. the regular season is such a drag. So matter what they do after this point, they are champions to us in the Bay Area.
Bay Area fans would have just been happy to see the Warriors get into the playoff. Now we believe.
about 1 year ago
small ball baby. small ball. hope to see phx and gsw fighting for a place in the finals. it would make the best series in recent memory.
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