Goodness, the Golden State Warriors might be for real after
all.
Goodness, the Golden State Warriors might be for real after all.
OK, so they only beat Minnesota on Sunday when the Timberwolves were without Kevin Garnett. It’s how they beat the T-Wolves that was most impressive.
Before their bench was taken to the cleaners in the fourth quarter, the Warriors had an eye-popping 106-64 advantage. That’s more than domination. That’s humiliation.
Also, Golden State did on Friday what the Los Angeles Clippers couldn’t do Sunday – the Warriors beat Sacramento. They did it on the road where Golden State has been woeful. After watching a 21-point lead shaved to 100-93 after three quarters, the Warriors suddenly showed that they can play defense. Golden State outscored the Kings 18-4 in the first 6 1/2 minutes of the fourth quarter to win going away.
A 40-40 record may not sound like much. But it’s been 12 long seasons since the Warriors won that many games. They have the longest playoff drought in the NBA. And now they are two games away from doing what even coach Don Nelson didn’t think was possible 19 games ago when Golden State was riding a six-game losing streak and sitting at 26-35. That’s when the Warriors started their current 14-5 streak, which includes wins in seven of the last eight games.
Baron Davis may be the Warriors’ superstar but this year’s team is doing it with balance. Golden State had six players in double figures against the T-Wolves and seven against the Kings.
Of course, before we get too giddy about the situation there is the matter of the game tonight against Dallas and Wednesday in Portland. The Mavericks only happen to be the best team in the NBA this year. And yet, the Warriors have had a stranglehold on the Mavs the past two seasons and are 2-0 against Dallas this year.
The Trail Blazers are another story. The last time the W’s were in Portland, rookie Brandon Roy lit up Golden State for 26 points and the Blazers won by 19. So let’s not get carried away just yet.
So will it be an April to remember or just another tease? Will the Warriors play like the team that’s beaten the Mavs and Pistons twice, or the one that allowed Memphis to score 144 points and lost by 21 at Milwaukee?
It all comes down to the next two nights for long-suffering Warriors’ fans. Fasten your cinch and hold on tight. Whoa, Nellie!
Contact Marc David at (408) 842-1694 or at [email protected].
