The Warriors struggled through 12 straight losing seasons before this year's playoff team went 42-40. Last year, Baron Davis was working with Richardson, Biedrins and Ellis, but the supporting cast included Troy Murphy, Derek Fisher, Mike Dunleavy and Ike Diogu. This January's mid-season trade between the Pacers and Warriors ultimately exchanged Steven Jackson and Al Harrington for Murphy and Dunleavy - freeing up space in the line-up for off-season acquisition Matt Barnes and 2003 draft pick Mikael Pietrus.
The January 17th trade could go down as the best in Warriors pathetic trade history. Here is what the Warriors have done in the past:
1965: Traded Wilt Chamberlain for Connie Dierking, Paul Neuman and Lee Shaffer.
1980: Traded Robert Parish and Kevin McHale for J.B. Carroll and Rickey Brown
1991: Traded Mitch Richmond for Billy Owens
1994: Traded Chris Webber for Tom Gugliotta
The January 17th trade did more for Golden State than all of those other trades combined. GM Chris Mullin might have saved to Warriors trade reputation by relieving over $30 million in long-term cap room at the same time bringing in perfect guys to fit Don Nelson's style of play.
"It's night and day. The team is totally different than when we started the season," said Jason Richardson.
You could say that the team hasn't been themselves all season. The Maverick's might be matched against an 8-seeded team that is far better than their record shows. Only Andris Biedrins appeared in all 82 games. Baron Davis missed 19 games (11 in February) from injuries and the Warriors were 6-13 without him in the line-up. Jason Richardson missed 31 games and the Warriors were 13-18 without him. During the 48 games following the All-Star break, Golden State played 15 of them without Davis and 14 without Richardson.
Harrington and Jackson have both improved statistically since joining the Warriors. Jackson averaged 14.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 37 games with Indiana and improved those numbers to 16.8/3.3/4.6 while with GS. Harrington started every game during the regular season up until being benched at the start of games 3-5 in the Dallas series. Despite a recent slump, Harrington's numbers have increased since leaving Indiana. Harrington has averages of 17.0 points (15.9 points w/ IND), 6.4 rebounds (6.3 rebounds w/ IND) and 2.3 assists (1.4 assists while w/ IND) since joining Nellie's offense.
Not only have the players improved, the team has done better as well. Pre- All-Star game, the Warriors scored 105.9 ppg, shot 46.1% from the floor and attempted 22.6 3's per game. Post-ASG, the Warriors have averaged 107.4 ppg, shot 46.7% and launched a league leading 26.6 3's per game.
Prior to the trade the Warriors were 19-20 and have gone 26-22 since (including playoffs). At one point the Warriors were 26-35 and the playoffs looked unreachable. It was in a March 5th beat down in Detroit that the swagger began. Golden State crushed the Pistons 111-93 and it appeared that everyone on the Warrior roster was healthy and all together for the very first time. The Warriors finished the season going 16-4 and only lost 2 games in April - one being game 2 vs Dallas.
The Warriors have taken Dallas to the ropes by executing in every area. In the first game of this series, Dallas shot poorly from the floor (35% vs 43%) and Golden State took advantage winning by 12 - the "Big 4" (BDiddy, J-Rich, Steven Jackson and Al Harrington) all played more than 35 minutes. In game 2, the Maverick's shot better from the floor but the reason they won was that they shot 16 more FT attempts than Golden State. Harrington's 1/8 shooting and 5 points in game 2 contributed to the Warriors loss.
The game 3 "W" could be credited to the equal distribution of production (5 GS players scored in double figures, 2 players scored 7). Game 4 was all about Baron Davis - his individual effort in this game alone will propel him into the post-season MVP race. After getting only 1 point from Harrington and nothing from Ellis, Davis stepped up and had his best game of the series (so far) - scoring 33 points, grabbing 8 rebounds and dishing 4 assists.
In game 5, I thought it was over. But Dallas, on the shoulders of Dirk Nowitzki, was able to sneak out a victory by finishing the game on a 15-0 run. Davis was excellent and Richardson played well in the loss. Harrington, for the 4th straight game, was unproductive. Much like the Warriors in game 4, it was the Mavs in game 5 who got an equal balance of production from the entire roster (6 guys in double figures).
In order to close out the series, the Warriors need to play an up-tempo style that includes producing as many possessions as they can, scoring in bunches and getting an equal contribution from the bench as well as the "Big 4". Don Nelson hasn't used much of his bench in this series. Partly because he needs the best players possible to be on the floor in order to beat the best team in the NBA - 7 players seems to be enough. And partly because most of the Warriors starters are fresh from not having played a full season due to injuries. The Warriors chemistry continues to get better with every game, if they are able to beat Dallas - look out Houston, look out NBA!
The 8-seeded Warriors might be the most dangerous 8 seed ever. The Western Conference is stacked. The Lakers, Jazz, Nuggets and Warriors are all the underdogs in their first round series. Imagine Denver next year having AI at the point and Nene grabbing boards for a complete season. Imagine Golden State next year with a full season of this hustle and flow roster. "We Believe" (Warrior Fans) that the Warriors aren't concerned about next year, they are fully focused on this year and making history by becoming the first ever 8 seed to upset a 1 seed in a 7-game series.
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