By Tamhas Woods
Exactly a year on from their first NBA Playoffs triumph in 40 years, the record-breaking Warriors could not defend the title which was so valiantly won in 2015 thanks to the uncompromising tactics of coach Steve Kerr and the blistering form of unanimous MVP Steph Curry. Though narrowly defeated by an outstanding Cavaliers side last night, the Warriors are never truly beaten.
The Warriors have long been famous for truly revolutionizing the modern game, with a focus on points over preservation, and it is a gamble that has thrust the franchise out from the dark depths and into the stratosphere. Indeed, few would be remotely surprised to see the Cavs and the Warriors face off again in the 2017 finals, such are their respective strengths.
Though Kerr has evolved this proven method to near-perfection, certain games during the best years Don Nelson’s reign can be seen as the very genesis of this engaging and highly entertaining style of small-ball play – one that has often confounded even the most assured of hosts.
5th March 2007: Warriors 111-93 Pistons
Today, the Warriors are famous for racking up a record number of season wins (73), but a mere ten years ago they were infamous for being absent from the playoffs for a near-record of twelve consecutive seasons. 2006-07 yielded a distinct change of form and fortune, with the Warriors finally making a long-awaited appearance in the playoffs, and their win of March 2007 at eventual playoff semi-finalists Detroit was a crucial success.
The Warriors arrived in Detroit on the back of a six-game losing streak, but Jason Richardson scored 29 points en route to a handsome win for the Warriors which not only arrested a dire run of form, but also ended a 13-year losing streak at The Palace. This victory was enabled in no small part by the return of Stephen Jackson and Baron Davis from absence, giving Nelson the opportunity to play a more balanced game between phases of defense and attack.
Showing a composure which surprised both sets of fans, the Warriors played a patient game to wear down the Pistons, taking time to find the open man at every opportunity. As a result, shooting became impressively efficient, allowing the defense to play with greater flexibility.
This served to unsettle the opposition further down the court, allowing the Warriors to take control. They overcame an early deficit to hold what would be a decisive 17-point lead going into the final quarter on the back of an impressive 52.6% shooting average.
22nd April 2007: Warriors 97-85 Mavericks
The Warriors’ very first playoff game since 1994 was an occasion that the Dallas Mavericks stood no chance of ruining. Even with a poor first half performance, it was another famous road win for the GSW, which could again be attributed in particular to an inspired third quarter from an inspired Warriors team.
Baron Davis’ excellent spring form continued, with a 19-point haul in said quarter, contributing the lion’s share of his night’s eventual total – 33 points. On the tactical side of this game’s equation, Nelson’s small-ball plan came as a surprise to the opposition, in turn disrupting the plans of Mavericks coach Avery Johnson. Davis’ ability from the rebound also prevented the Mavericks securing additional (and surely match-winning) points in the Warriors’ largely disappointing first half.
The Mavericks were also unable to cope with the Warriors’ tendency to shoot early and double team at every opportunity – the very hallmark of Kerr’s title-winning gameplans in 2014-15. Though Game 2 saw the Warriors soundly defeated 112-99 just three days later, three home wins for the Warriors secured progression with just six played.
23rd March 2008: Warriors 115-111 Lakers
Nelson was unsuccessful in his attempts to guide the Warriors to another playoff berth in 2008, but at least took satisfaction in following up on his 2006-07 campaign with an improved Win % in 2007-08, thus making the failure to qualify a simple matter of misfortune. Just two days prior to this game, the Warriors had fallen in frustrating fashion at home to the Houston Rockets, but would make amends with a stunning away win at eventual playoff finalists LA Lakers.
Above all, this win at the Staples Center demonstrated the exact tactics required to hold out when the opposition is enjoying a scintillating comeback on their own territory. As the man in form, Stephen Jackson was the focal point of Nelson’s gameplan, again relying on his shooting ability from outside, with Nelson knowing that his side could only ever outscore (and never outplay) their apparently superior hosts.
The pressure was truly on in the final thirty seconds of the game, with superstar Kobe Bryant netting a three pointer for the Lakers to reduce the deficit to a single point, but the Warriors were psychologically equal to the task and Jackson secured the game with eight seconds left with another impressive shot.
Though ultimately of little significance in terms of silverware or short-term success, this was a key game in the Warriors history books, and one from which the present day coach has undoubtedly taken inspiration when planning for the high stakes games of the playoffs. Knowing how to transition between phases of urgency and composure is a coveted skill in the modern game, and this was one occasion on which the Warriors did so to great effect.
Sadly, Don Nelson failed to maintain the momentum of the 2006-08 era after this failed attempt to reach the playoffs. The Warriors finished with a Win % of less than .400 in his next two seasons, leading to his departure and the arrival of Keith Smart, who managed to arrest the sudden decline in his one and only season at the Warriors with an improved winning rate.
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