Flirting with Destiny

One prediction has gone out the window. Credit the Golden State Warriors. They might have only had a 42-40 regular season record, but proved to be the best team during their best-of-seven series upsetting Dallas.

The absence from the series of likely MVP Dirk Nowitzki was one reason that Dallas lost. But do not pin the whole thing on Dirk. Nowitzki really only showed up in one game all series, Game 5. He staved off elimination for one night, scoring 30 points in the game including 12 in the final three minutes.

In the decisive game 6, Dirk was held to just eight points with a 2-for-13 shooting performance. He only took one shot as Golden State ran away with the game in the third quarter. However, there were two other main reasons for the Mavs elimination.

First of all, Dallas’ guards were out classed all series. Jason Terry and Devin Harris were outscored and outplayed by Golden State’s Baron Davis, Monta Ellis and Jason Richardson. Davis, who is entering his prime of his career, has been a good player in the NBA for several years. During this series Davis showed he is a great player.

Baron averaged 25 points-per-game during the series to lead the Warriors and had all the answers on the court making clutch plays. Terry and Harris, who were good during the regular season, fizzled out.

The other main reason for the Mavs series loss is momentum. Golden State had all of the momentum going into the playoffs. The Warriors were winners of nine of their last 10, including victories over Dallas, Phoenix and Houston, all playoff bound teams.

Dallas had not really played a game that mattered since mid-March after they went on their 17-game tear and buried San Antonio in the division standings. Something worth note, Golden State snapped the Mavs winning streak on March 12.

Having momentum going into the playoffs can be crucial. The Pittsburgh Steelers were helped out in 2006 having a little momentum going into the post season. In baseball, the wild card winner is usually a team that gets hot at the end of the season. Between 2002-2004 a wild card team won World Series titles (Angels, Marlins, Red Sox).

The Warriors are in their second month of playoff games. After going 7-2 against Dallas this year (postseason included), do you believe?

The Warriors, with blue and orange colors, could easily be a destined team.