Ball Don't Lie - NBA

Sat May 12, 2007 2:32 am EDT

Greatest playoff show on earth?

OK, this is getting ridiculous.

Baron Davis is putting on a show that is so outrageous -- so stunningly athletic and creative and explosive -- that I am now planning on TiVo-ing every Golden State Warriors game from here until they are eliminated. (Or until they win it all.)

Davis' nine-game playoff run has been so dominant and exciting that it's almost time to begin to put it into historical context. How many players have put together a postseason stretch like this in the history of the game? I'll put that one out to my readers: Please list below the last time you witnessed an NBA player on a playoff streak like the one Davis is on? (Besides Michael Jordan -- I know about him.)

It's not just Davis' numbers, although they are spectacular -- 27 points per game, 55-percent shooting, 42-percent from three -- compared to his regular-season stats of 20, 44 percent and 30 percent. It's the manner in which Davis is controlling games. It's the spectacular drives to the hole, the spin moves, the up-and-unders and the splitting of double teams. Of course, it was all punctuated Friday night by the powerful, shocking, one-hand slam on Andrei Kirilenko's head that put a 125-105 victory away for the Warriors.

With Davis, the concern has always been about conditioning and injuries. I have to admit, there's a part of me that keeps waiting for something bad to happen. It's been that way his whole career. As soon as Davis looks ready to break through and become a superstar, he's either injured or out of shape.

In Game 6 of the Dallas series when Davis tweaked his hamstring, it looked like he and Golden State were done. But he was able to play on one leg, lead his team to victory and then rest up for the next series. Now he's back terrorizing the Utah Jazz, much to the delight of the impartial basketball world.

There's not a player in the NBA -- or any other league, for that matter -- who can stay in front of this guy. And since he's playing for Don Nelson, the floor is his. What a perfect marriage between these two: Nellie provides the freedom, Davis brings the talent and, with plenty of help from some great athletes around him, the Warriors are on an amazing roll.

Oracle Arena was rocking again Friday, and on Sunday the Golden State fans will be back and vocal as ever, trying to help their team even the series at 2. Can the Warriors do it? I would think so.

The Jazz players were talking after the game about how many jump shots they settled for, how they neglected to get the ball inside. But it's difficult to follow the game plan in that atmosphere. Golden State is flying, its fans are screaming and the adrenaline is pumping. It's tough not to take a jump shot when you're open, but somehow Utah will have to slow things down a bit, get the ball inside and try to take some air out of the building.

Losing Deron Williams to foul trouble really hurt the Jazz because he's the one Utah player who can at least make Davis work on the defensive end and maybe wear him out. But without Williams on the court, Davis was free to simply take over. When he did -- and when the Warriors' fans whipped themselves into a frenzy -- there was no way the Jazz were going to control the pace.

So how long can this magical run continue, both for Davis and Golden State? We'll see. All I know is that I've been watching the NBA for a long time, and I don't remember seeing so many players play so well in so many playoff games in a row.

Davis is on a ridiculous roll. And it is unbelievably fun to watch.

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585 Comments

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  1. ben
    1. Posted by ben Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:10 pm EDT

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    I don't think I've ever seen a streak of games like this from a player. He's a beast.
  2. JaeJae
    2. Posted by JaeJae Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:36 pm EDT

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    he made a believer out most people baron is on a roll!
  3. al
    3. Posted by al Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    Thanks Baron!!! It's been a long time coming for die-hard GSW fans who remember cheering for RunTMC back in the day...a very long time...WE BELIEVE!!!
    And thanks for the great reporting, Steve.
  4. jon
    4. Posted by jon Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    b diddy in da house
  5. A Yahoo! User
    5. Posted by A Yahoo! User Sat May 12, 2007 2:48 am EDT

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    BD, you're insane man...whew!!
  6. bjmacabebe
    6. Posted by bjmacabebe Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

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    I know this does not count, but what about the raptors phila series in 2000, where iverson and carter makes 40 each game. i think iverson's run that time was good too..
  7. timothy
    7. Posted by timothy Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:02 pm EDT

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    How bout' Dirk Nowitzki's phenomenal performances in round one. C'mon he's da man, we're talkin' MVP material, Mr. Basketball, all world, NBA first team............alright........... just drinkin' and messin' around!
  8. timothy
    8. Posted by timothy Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:02 pm EDT

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    I'm happy for Warrior fans.............Greetings from Detroit.
  9. Ivan C
    9. Posted by Ivan C Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    B diddy!!!!!
  10. Magana
    10. Posted by Magana Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:53 pm EDT

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    Warriors vs Spurs.... Even a more terrifying playoff match. Just extreme sides of the spectrum in playing styles. So far, Structure 2 and Chaos 1. If Chaos win, man I will stop drinking for a week....lol . Go Warriors
  11. Kikker
    11. Posted by Kikker Sat May 12, 2007 3:01 am EDT

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    For the first time in decades the long suffering Warriors fans have something to cheer about.
  12. fooseballfan
    12. Posted by fooseballfan Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:55 pm EDT

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    absolute force... baron feeds off the energy from the arena and turns into a beast let out of its cage...there hasnt been dominance and energy irratiated off of a player in the playoffs like him since mj. When he gets the ball, you feel that nothing can stop him. nothing.........ok im a little biased...GO WARRIORRRSSS!!!!!!
  13. Maximus
    13. Posted by Maximus Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    the warriors are amazing. its nice to see them finally do well in the playoffs after what it seems like a lifetime of frustration. lets keep it going
  14. timothy
    14. Posted by timothy Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:02 pm EDT

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    To: Warrior Nation
    Can we borrow BD in the off season???? Sincerely, The Detroit Lions
  15. Ed
    15. Posted by Ed Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:33 pm EDT

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    Baron's performance thus far reminds me of Allen Iverson back in 2001 during the playoffs. He was unstoppable and hopefully Baron can take the Warriors to the promise land with the way he's playing. "I Believe"!!!
  16. William
    16. Posted by William Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

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    Baron was unbelievable!!! Power and finesse, monster dunks and quick first step double pump reverse layups. When he first came to GS, I didn't know much about him, but after watching him play for the last 2 seasons, it feels as if this moment was inevitable and that he would finally gain the recognition he deserves. With him as the leader and great teammates around him, I don't see them losing a game at oracle arena, they have to win game 5 or 7 to win the series. To take a road game, they will need to execute on the offensive end, control their turnovers, play great defense down the stretch and control their emotions on the road. Go warriors
  17. maalkobadi
    17. Posted by maalkobadi Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:01 pm EDT

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    Amazing
  18. Glen
    18. Posted by Glen Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:57 pm EDT

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    The W's have single handedly saved the NBA.
  19. 5th project
    19. Posted by 5th project Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:03 pm EDT

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    Go warriors
  20. Defguy
    20. Posted by Defguy Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:40 pm EDT

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    the commercial claiming Baron uses magnets is starting to make more and more sense. really his performance has been unbelievable and watching the playoffs hasn't been this much fun in years. It is incredible to see the whole country enjoying a team that nobody ever pays any attention to. Honestly I clear my schedule everytime the Warriors play just to see what he is going to do next. I really hope to see a Suns, Warriors match-up just to see 300 points a game and the highest paced basketball in the history of the league.
  21. Mike
    21. Posted by Mike Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:32 pm EDT

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    somebody check the expiration date on bdizzles dunk b/c it was nasty!!! everyone in roaracle arena looked like they just drank sour milk!
  22. mcrouge
    22. Posted by mcrouge Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:13 pm EDT

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    No doubt, the warriors is greater than Jazz. The 2 losses at Utah was just close, but the win @ Oracle was a blow out. So many great teams in the West. Dallas, Suns, Spurs, Jazz, Houston, not to mention the Nuggets, and now the Warriors are expolding! This is so much f**cking fun! It's so stupid to think that with all these great teams fighting for a division champ, East is just hanging around like a crock waiting for a prey. East is so much boring! so as the Championship match! The championship match for me is the Suns and the Spurs.
  23. ammasustour
    23. Posted by ammasustour Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:53 pm EDT

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    that had to be the sickest dunk of all time...
  24. Peter
    24. Posted by Peter Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT

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    Thanks for that excellent display of grammar mcrouge.
    BTW, the dunk everyone is talking about is clearly an offensive foul. Davis hits Kirilenko across the face with his free hand. Before you say you disagree, watch the video again on slow-mo from the above angle. The foul is clearly there.
  25. Kristiaan R
    25. Posted by Kristiaan R Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:53 pm EDT

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    Number 8--- too funny! :-)

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