What a difference a year makes. After last year's dismal campaign with Coach Mike Montgomery at the helm, Baron Davis fairly or unfairly took a lot of the blame. When it rains it pours.
This past season however when the Warriors became the darling of the sports world Boom Dizzle won the hearts of many not just those of the good people in the Bay. When it's sunny it's eye-blindingly bright.
Another ReDirkulous highlight!
You can always celebrate his Boomness over at the excellent Fear the Beard (some real good folks!) and even at his own new blog.
3 of the NBA's Most Wanted: Boom Dizzle, Snoop Dizzle, and J Rizzle.
Make the jump for another BOOMing GSoM Report Card!
Are you ready for this?!
BD's the captain of this ship.
One thing that will probably shock you is that compared to that nightmare 2005-2006 Warriors season, a few of Baron's regular season stats actually dipped (check out the numbers):
Baron was actually slightly less accurate from downtown (30.4% to 31.5%)
He averaged 0.8 less assists (8.1 to 8.9)
BD turned the ball over just a tad bit more (3.1 to 2.9)
He actually averaged less minutes per game (35:17 to 36:30)
Simply put, the numbers don't tell the whole story. I don't think there's anyone out there (except maybe Mavs fans) that would rather take the 2005-2006 BD over the 2006-2007 one. There's only one number that really matters. The number 1 for 1 big playoff upset.
Grade: A
So much for Baron's reputation as an injury-faking, coach-killing cancer. The Warriors were the playoffs' best story and Baron was the Ws best player. After fighting back from his injury, three things changed. First, he trusted his teammates with the ball, growing into the role of a true PG. Second, he attacked the rim relentlessly. Third, he grew a damn fine beard.
Fun Score: 10
Or negative 10 if you're AK-47, who is still having nightmares.
Atma Brother #1
Grade: A
After his fantastic 2006-2007 season in which he silenced his many critics, I think it's safe to say that Baron Davis just doesn't respond well to poor coaches (Mike Montgomery) and teammates who don't show up half the time (Mike Dunleavy and Adonal Foyle) or don't even try on defense (Troy Murphy). Get rid of those variables and Boom Fizzle morphs into the incomparable, YouTube-izing, bearded Boom Dizzle. BD excels when matched with a coach who knows what he's doing and commands respect (Don Nelson) as well as players who knock down wide open jumpers (Jason Richardson, Al Harrington, and Mickael Pietrus), play tough defense and never quit (Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes), take some of the pressure off him as the primary PG (Monta Ellis, Jax, and Barnes), and actually catch dimes and finish wide open shots from 2 feet out (Andris Biedrins). When he's healthy (which isn't as often as we'd hope) and surrounded by the right cast, he's the most complete and craftiest point guard in the league hands down. His incredible handles, pretty passes, fearless drives to the hole, solid moves in the post, and big shots make all the highlights, but his shut down defense on the perimeter and work on the glass are what really separates him from other highly touted and overrated point guards in the Western Conference (ahem, Steve Nash and Tony Parker). I can live with Baron's annual 20 game absences as long as the Warriors can make the post-season and he's healthy for the playoff run.
Fun Score: 10
DO YOU BELIEVE NOW?! AK-47 sure does.
DJ Fuzzylogic
Grade: A
Baron Davis is the heart and soul of this team (sorry Atma, I know JRich was, too). Not only was he able to attract real celebrities to games (he had that much star power), but he was the dude with the killer instinct that could single handedly takeover games. His much improved play under Nelson was the Davis we have been missing and hope never goes away (no Mr. Hyde please of 2005-2006 season). The only reason I didn't give BD the actual A was because, once again, missed considerable playing time. Though, his dunk on AK alone should be reason why he deserves an A+
Fun Score: 8
Injuries are NOT fun.
Fantasy Junkie
Grade: A+
Forget what he did during the first 60 games of the regular season. He played great but nothing compared to what he did when he came back from injury. That was nothing short of amazing. He got the team rolling in the late season push to make the playoffs. In the Dallas playoff series, he was the best player in the NBA. Absolutely dominant. As a Warrior fan, I'll be remembering his performance for a long long time.
Fun Score: 100
Hash
Grade: A+
Baron Davis. You brought basketball back to the Bay Area. You lifted your team when they were down, and most importantly, you lifted the fans from Basketball Purgatory. You are a beast. And we thank you for it. - Warriors fans.
Fun Score:
I don't think they make a number high enough. You were a one man highlight reel this year.
YaoButtaMing
Grade: A-
There would have been NO "We Believe" without Baron. The man was on fire during the playoffs, and we could have beat the Jazz had we not lost our cool and energy. Baron deserves a parade after that season. A- only because of injury.
BD had an unBELIEVEable season, but there's still one thing that leaves a bad taste in mouth. Boom was absolutely robbed of an All-Star appearance last year. This season let's all band together and vote it up when the All-Star fan ballots come out online. Let's see if we can get Dizzle into that starting lineup. It won't be easy with the likes of Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Steve Nash, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams in the Wild, Wild, West, but need I remind you of what happens when We Believe?
HOLLA!
Do you honestly have any grade lower than an A for Boom's 2k6-2k7 season? Please keep me away from whatever you're smoking.