Eight years ago the Golden State Warriors pulled off a major upset by defeating the NBA-best Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs. The No.8 seed produced a memorable series that will live long in the memories of all concerned in the Bay Area, but now the tables have turned this season.
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While the Warriors were the underdogs back then and Dallas were highly tipped to make it through to the second round, the 2015 edition of Golden State will need to avoid a similar fate as they continue to set the pace in the NBA this year.
Sitting atop the Western Conference with a 62-13 record, 10-and-a-half games above second-placed Memphis Grizzlies, Steve Kerr may well be wise to bring that series out of the archives to remind his players how their dreams can be snatched away from them. The Mavs, are in fact a potential first round post-season foe this year, but it is more than likely going to be either the Oklahoma City Thunder or New Orleans Pelicans led by Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis respectively.
Mar 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the ball as Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) defends in the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 104-89. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Both teams have the players to produce an upset, and so the Warriors need to finish the regular season strong and hit the reset button in terms of focusing their minds on a new prize. The top seed is secured and a 35-2 home record will make any team find a trip to the Oracle Arena a daunting one. However, it’s a clean slate in the playoffs and what the Warriors have achieved this year will go out the window with every team starting a new campaign.
While Golden State will benefit from their previous experiences, they will be guarded against being on the wrong side of the upset. Both the coaching staff and the players need to be fully focused, and acknowledge and respect the threat that each team poses to them.
What is perhaps the most reassuring aspect of this year is that the team has not let up down the stretch even though they could have easily stepped off the gas.
April 2, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts after receiving a technical foul during the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Suns 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Instead, Kerr has led a relentless machine that is on an 11-game winning streak and continues to lead the way in scoring with 109.7 points per game, while their average of 99.1 points against is still impressive as they have shown they can maintain their focus and intensity on both ends of the floor.
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The MVP race could have been a distraction for Stephen Curry, but even he is more concerned with the bigger picture while players like Harrison Barnes showed on Thursday night how important they can be when called upon.
Kerr and every single player needs to be aware of the threat of an early exit this season, and if they don’t recognise it now, then they will certainly feel that pain of being remembered as the best team in the NBA in 2015 but falling short of the main prize in crushing fashion.