The Golden State Warriors’ historic trade 10 years ago
The Golden State Warriors went on an unbelievable run in the 2006-07 season. Ten years ago, they traded for Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington.
On January 17, 2007, I sat in the back seat of my uncle’s car after he picked me up from school. I was in the sixth grade on my way home on what was a normal day in the life of a sixth grader. Then, it wasn’t a normal day anymore.
He told me that the Golden State Warriors had made a trade with the Indiana Pacers. They traded away veterans Mike Dunleavy Jr., Troy Murphy, and Keith McLeod and 23 year old Ike Diogu. In return, the Warriors received Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Šarūnas Jasikevičius, and Josh Powell.
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Golden State was able to shed some players that they needed to part ways with because they just didn’t work out. Dunleavy Jr. might go down as the one of the worst 3rd pick in league history as he could never really put it together in Golden State. Murphy, while he could space the floor, was not really an answer for the Warriors.
It was clear that the Warriors were going to get better immediately. Jackson was three years removed from the “Malice at the Palace,” but his reputation as a trouble maker still followed him. Harrington was the focal point of the trade after having several successful seasons in Atlanta and Indiana.
Jackson and Harrington’s impacts were felt in the box score, but it didn’t translate to wins. One of them led the team in scoring in five of their first six games on the team. Even with those two, though, the Warriors couldn’t find ways to win games.
Then, it clicked. When everyone counted them out, the 2006-07 Warriors shocked the world. Behind a healthy Baron Davis, Jason Richardson, the new guys, and some young talent, they morphed into the “We Believe” Dubs.
The Warriors went 16-7 over the last two months of the season, including winning 10 of their last 11 at Oracle Arena. A nearly perfect 8-1 April helped Golden State clinch their first playoff berth in 12 years after defeating the Portland Trailblazers 120-98 on the last game of the season. The Bay Area went crazy.
Jackson and Harrington are a core part of Golden State lore. For many, myself included, that team is what sparked an undying and unconditional love for the team. Their improbable to and through the playoffs captivated DubNation.
The Warriors become the first 8 seed to defeat the top seed in the first round of the playoffs, defeating the 67 win Dallas Mavericks team with an MVP Dirk Nowitzki. That team was absolute magic and none of it would have been possible without that trade.
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In 42 games with Golden State, Harrington averaged 17 points and 6.4 rebounds. He became a small ball center for Don Nelson. Jackson averaged 16.8 points and 4.6 assists in 38 games. He increased that average to 20 points per game in the postseason as he did a wonderful job on Nowitzki defensively.
It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since that incredible team started their historic run. Chris Mullin made a lot of mistakes as a General Manager, but he made the right call making that trade. Without it, the Warriors wouldn’t have become one of the most fun and exciting Cinderella stories in league history.