Mark Jackson has helped to turn the culture around in Oakland. By Rose White via Wikimedia Commons

Make no mistake, this year’s Warriors are here to stay. Stacked with a young core, unselfish star power and a coach with an intensity evident on the sidelines, the Warriors are primed for a serious five to ten year ride into Western Conference contention.

After Mark Jackson’s self-aggrandizing prophecy about making the playoffs fell apart last year, I was certain the Warriors wouldn’t be any  better this year. And though I heard murmurings amongst beat writers, bloggers, radio personalities and fans, that this year’s team could surprise their foes much like the Baron Davis-led team in 2006, I scoffed with a slow sour puss, “seriously!?”

But now more than mid-way through the season and that has become a reality. The Warriors, currently 2nd in the Pacific division with a 27-17 record, sit a respectable five games back of the first place Clippers.

Coach Mark Jackson has brought intensity on defense –

Adding Andrew Bogut last season in a trade for the gunning Monta Ellis, somersaulted coach Jackson’s vision of defense at a more rapid pace. And with the big man turning in a 12 point, 8 rebound, 4 block effort tonight in his first game back from a season long injury, that has become even more of a reality.

The Warriors have drafted extremely well the last two years –

Selecting Klay Thompson 11th in the 2011 draft is proving to be a positive.  The second year swing has been an efficient 3rd option on the perimeter, averaging 16.0 points per game on 38.0% shooting from deep.  His 6’7″ length and ability to take players off the dribble has opened up the game for the set shooting rookie, Harrison Barnes. Barnes fluid contribution into Jackson’s system has been a key cog in the Warriors success. Considered an offfensive liability in last year’s draft because of his difficulties with getting open, Barnes has comfortably accepted a minute-heavy role position, amongst an athletic, unselfish, and deep rotation.

Stephen Curry is emerging as a star in the NBA. By Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA via Wikimedia Commons

The team is led by two unassuming superstars –

In fact more than unassuming…surprising. Stephen Curry has legitimized his name amongst the elite guards in today’s NBA. Returning from an injury plagued 2011-2012, lit a spark in the 3rd year guard. He, and the team’s first all star in 16-years – David Lee – have, through their own example, set a precedence among the team. Both stars are willing to pass-first-shoot-second, hit the glass and play hard on both sides of the ball. Lee, is yet again, close to a 20-10 season on 51.4% shooting.  Curry, arguably an MVP candidate and this year’s most notable snub from the All Star roster, is 15th in steals( 1.6), 8th in points (21.0), 13th in assists (6.5), 2nd in three-point field goals (132) and 2nd in three point field goal percentage ( 45.4%).

So what are Local Bloggers, radio personalities and fans saying about this year’s Warriors team?

“It took a year for the team to gel together, building team chemistry.” – C.j. Silas from the C.J. Silas Show on ESPN 1280

“Look at minutes played. Last year, the main rotation includes heavy minutes for Brandon Rush, Dorell Wright, Nate Robinson and Dominic McGuire. That’s been replaced this year, with Curry, Jarrett Jack, Harrison Barnes and Carl Landry.”  – Shane Miranda, NBA Fan

“Stephen Curry being back is definitely a big deal. I also think Jarett Jack’s veteran leadership and late game scoring in the backcourt, has been significant.” – Andy Stevens, co-founder of fansmanship.com

“David Lee! First All Star since Sprewell in 1997.” – Mike Kinney, longtime Warriors Fan

“Shane Miranda’s comment seems the most credible.” – J.D Scroggin, college beat writer at the Tribune

“Maturity and acceptance of roles are important things at any level. Along with having an older more mature Curry in the lineup, Mark Jackson and new organizational leadership have done a superb job of defining roles and sticking to their vision.” – Owen Main, co-founder of fansmanship.com

“Defense, defense, and defense.” -Matt Dale, Warriors fan and resident of Marin County

 

 

 

Watching Sir’ Dirk diggler his way between double teams then drop the off-foot fade away, with feathered bangs haunting his brow is like hot chocolate with a bust of hand-whipped cream lapping at the tongue…sizzle sizzle and more busty sizzle.

My nizzle.

Fans swore off of Dirk after his Mavs famous meltdown in 06′ and 07′; said he was overrated, couldn’t hit the big shot, seven feet but soft as butter, a lanky vanilla–sweet but melts with contact.

Well not so fast.

In the meantime Nowitski has collected an MVP, eclipsed twenty thousand career points,and freeze framed his Shaggy Doobie Do face in the list of all-time greats. Dirk’s freakazoid bar, with his insante giftedness to dribble like a point, hit the fade away like a guard, rebound as a forward and finish inside is Lady Gaga unparalleled.

Did I just say Lady Gaga unparalleled?  I did because Dirk is the the greatest powerforward to ever play this game.

Yes you heard me. My condolences to Timmy Duncan, but today I am writing with a blasphemous resignation to the truth of things. I have post stamped this through the mailman, and asked his caddy Sir Charles, to verify its arrival. Dirk is not only the greatest powerforward, but when it comes to closers is listed as: MJ….Bird…..West…..Kobe….Dirk.

Monday’s performance was one of the greatest this league has ever seen. Dropping 48 on OKC in game one of the Western Conference Finals, he did it in Gaga fashion: 12-15 shooting, 24-24 from the free throw line, hitting clutch jumpers late to close out the Thunder in the fourth quarter. Setting the tone from the get go, Dirk started 4-4 with the Mavs first ten points, and twenty in the first half. It was obvious  that this Sir’ Dirk is no longer living under the devils of his past.

OKC looked stupefied in his wakes and had no answer for him all evening, throwing seven different defenders his way including: former Defensive Player of the Year Thabo Sefalosha, and block king Serge Ibaka. His unguardable abilities and size caused former NBA coach turned ESPN TV personality Jeff Van Gundy, to continualy pose the X and O question, “How do you stop that?” His sidekick, former point guard Mark Jackson returned, “You got to close the air space.”

Air space?

This is not about some make believe air space, this is about fate. As much as I love the twenty-three year old Durant–a two time scoring champ, and gifted 6’10 wingman with the ability to hit the three, take you off dribble, and get up and finish, I am aware that his moment has not arrived yet.

It was obvious Monday who the better team is. This is not your usual lay-down and die Dallas Mavs team who’ve become more of a hard-nosed defensive squad with their yet classic art of tres droplet supremes. Key moments on Monday included: Barrea sparking Dallas with twelve straight points in the third, and Jason Kidd bringing stability at point when Darantula made it a game scoring Jasseven of his teams ten points in a 10-0 run in the fourth to pull to within five with 3:34 to play. Like a black widow spider dangling from a single thread, only to lose her luscious prey a few inches from her triangular grasp, that is as close as things would get. This year there is no hesitation from the Mavs–a collective of cast-aways, bridging their way to title ascension.

And with a German juggernaut like Dirk taking them there, it bids the question, “will this finally be their year?”