| It Wasn't Just That The Warriors Won - It's How They Did It Authored by Payam Jahromi - May 7, 2007 - 1:08 pm
Forget the fact that the Warriors pulled of the greatest playoff upset in NBA history. It was HOW they did it that was unbelievable.
The Warriors completely dominated Dallas.
The series wasn't as close as 4-2 when you consider the fact that they blew a nine-point lead with over three minutes left in game five. The Warriors also had the only two blowouts of the series, including the closeout game.
How did a team that went 67-15 look legitimately intimidated by a 42-40 team?
The body language on both sides suggested it was the Warriors players that “knew” they were the better team while the Dallas players were “hoping” to win. I've never seen anything like it in my lifetime of watching sports.
Remember when Denver upset Seattle in 1994 in a best-of-five? Even though Denver won, you still knew Seattle was the better team. Seattle had a 2-0 lead and let their guard down and couldn't recover, and everything fell into place for the Nuggets. Had it been a best-of-seven, I still think Seattle wins.
Forget the fact that this Warriors upset was the first time a No.8 seed defeated a No.1 in a best-of-seven series. It probably won't be the last time. What you won't see again is another No.8 dominate a No.1 this way, let alone a team with the fifth best regular-season record in NBA history.
I know I know, the Warriors owned Dallas in the regular season over the past two seasons. It wasn't just under Don Nelson either - they were beating Dallas with Mike Montgomery as the coach and Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy at forward.
But when it comes to the playoffs and a long series, the better team usually makes the adjustments and prevails. If you win 67 games, you are going to adjust. Not only did that not happen, but the Warriors' domination intensified as the series went on. Astonishing.
Oracle Arena Was Rockin
We Believe.
I had the privilege to attend games three and six at The Arena. And I have to say, in all my years of attending sporting events (I'm only 33 but I've been to my share) they were the two greatest games I've ever been to. I even got to meet David Stern at game three and had a picture taken with him.
Just a great experience for all the Warriors fans who have suffered for so many years. A first-round win will never be this satisfying ever again.
Looking Ahead to Utah
Can the Warriors carry over this emotional high for another series? As a fan, that Dallas series drained me. I need another week to recover.
Let's hope the players have recovered. If they have an emotional letdown, they will find themselves down 2-0 real fast. If they continue to play at the same level they did against Dallas, they'll win in five or six.
First, let me state the obvious that Baron must be close to 100% for the Warriors to have a chance. Let's hope his leg injury was minor.
The one thing I do know about this series: Both teams will be very hard to beat at home.
I knew the Warriors had a chance against Dallas because of their home court. In my last column before the series, I said: “I think a `successful' series would be to make it go at least six games. If they want to win the series, they need to get a split in Dallas and go unbeaten at home. Again, not impossible.”
That same formula holds true against Utah. If they can get a split in Utah, then the pressure is on Utah to actually win a game in Oakland.
Remember, the Warriors didn't just become a great home team in the playoffs. They went 30-11, tied for fifth-best in the league. But winning in Utah will be just as difficult for the Warriors.
The Jazz went 31-10 at home and they also went 3-0 in the first round against Houston. The teams split the season series 2-2, with the home team winning every game.
In other words, don't expect many road wins.
It will be a tough atmosphere in Salt Lake, but Warriors fans have one thing in common right now - We Believe.
If you have any questions or comments you can email me at pjahromi@sbcglobal.net
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