Oh. My. God.

After 13 years of missing the playoffs, the Warriors shocked the world by squeaking into the 8th seed position with a 42 and 40 record on the last day of the regular season! It's only fitting, I suppose, that we get matched up with Goliath in the form of the Dallas Mavericks, a team who garnered the 6th best regular season record in NBA history at a staggering 67 and 15.

Alas. What can we do? Hell we already exceeded expectations simply by making it into the post season. Sure, we seemed to have the Mavs number during our regular season games but the playoffs are different, right? How can the Golden State Warriors run with the mighty Dallas Mavericks when the Mavs are thinking Championship and the Warriors are thinking, "Dude, we're actually on TNT?!" How can the Warriors, a petty 8th seed, take a best of 7 against a dominant 1st seed and accomplish something that has never been done in the history of basketball?!

Heart, baby. Heart.

The heart of Baron, who served as an inspiration to this team, even though his own physical pain. The heart of Biedrins, who grew up in front of our very eyes this season. The heart of Jason Richardson, who took personal responsibility for our previous seasons' failures and deserves tons of credit for our current status. The heart of Barnes, who has finally found his home and his role with this ballclub. The heart of Pietrus, who is developing into the perfect supplemental shooter and defender. The heart of Jackson, who consistently elevates himself to the elite in this league with every passing game. The heart of Nellie, who had the courage to recognize his team for the talent that they are, and not for the typecast the media wants them to be.

But perhaps most important, the heart of the fans, who have not only loyally stood by this organization through all of its... well, let's face it, downs; but who single-handedly turned the Oracle Arena into the LOUDEST, MOST FEARED VENUE FOR AN OPPOSING TEAM TO SET FOOT IN.

With all that heart, the only thing that shocks me is that we didn't sweep their asses.

Final Boxscore

"Open your history books class. Now turn to section "W". I think you'll find a new entry in there..."

Tonight's game may have ended in a blowout, but any true Dubs fan can attest that they were biting their nails the entire time. In a tumultuous first half, the Warriors displayed some dismal perimeter defense (allowing Stackhouse to drop bombs on us), played a lot of man to man offense, saw Baron nurse an injury that would have sent any other player but him to the showers, and, I'm sorry to say it, found themselves to be victims of the pretty questionable officiating. Yet when the halftime buzzer sounded, the Warriors were magically up by two.

It was in the third quarter that the magic really began. I can only assume that the realization of a Game 7 in Dallas lit a fire under these boys because they literally embarrassed the Mavericks. Outscoring them 36 to 15, the Warriors were raining threes, laying in floaters, and even dunking all over a very dejected looking Dallas. Hell, Jackson nailed 4 of his 7 (yes seven!) threes in that third quarter alone!

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Believe it!

Everything was right in the second half of this game. The Dubs were crashing boards, playing tight D, forcing turnovers, and distributing the ball like a Championship team. If they can find a way to harness the chemistry that they displayed in the third and fourth of this game...

I'll let you finish that sentence.

Let's talk more about the Arena for a second. That place was ELECTRIC! Warriors Nation has really stepped up to create a threatening environment to any road team. This is something that truly needs to be noted. Throughout this series, the crowd at the Arena has been given credit from both local and national media for elevating the Warriors to a higher level of play. There is a lot of truth to this. Anyone that has been to any of the home games in this series can attest to this. As we head towards at least two more games in our house, fans should note that they now have a very significant role to play in success of this team. We must protect this house!

None shall pass.

That being said, I'd like to throw out mad love to our loyal GSoM community, Warriors Nation, and of course, my fellow GSoM writers for being together for so long to enjoy this moment. You deserve every bit of joy you get from this legendary series. Don't discount what you just saw tonight. We may have very well witnessed one of the most amazing sports moments we will ever see in our lives (besides the inevitable NBA Championship of course!) Savor it. We've earned it with many long hard years of loyalty and love.

We earned it by being Warriors.

Tonight's Warrior Wonder can go to none other than Stephen Jackson himself. In a field of contributing players, SJax not only came out like a monster with 33 points, (going an incredible 7-8 from beyond), 5 boards, 3 dimes and 3 jacks, but he also displayed a calm, collected demeanor that helped him become a leader amongst men out there tonight. When a tussle almost started under the Mavs hoop, it was almost comical to watch Jax put his hands in the air and run like hell to the other side of the court. Combining this discipline with his ridiculous game, its safe to say that Jax ran away with this one by a long shot.

ON TO ROUND 2 BABY! Bring it.

Warriors Beat the Mavs 4-2!!

• Game 1: Pre-Game 1 Links | Preview | Recap | Post Game 1 Links
• Game 2: Preview | Recap | Post Game 2 Links
• Game 3: Preview | Recap | Post Game 3 Links
• Game 4: Preview | Recap | Post Game 4 Links
• Game 5: Preview | Recap | Post Game 5 Links
• Game 6: Preview | Recap Prequel

It's been over half a year since the Golden State Warriors pulled off the biggest upset in NBA history by knocking off the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2007 Playoffs, but everytime I think of the choke-job Mavericks, those soft, inaudible Mavs fans (seriously how could those fans be so quiet during those home playoff games when the NBA's best owner Mark Cuban has been treating them so well for so many years?), and their B-Rate media- a HUGE smile comes to my face. What WE (yes, we as in the entire Warriors organization, Warriors fans and GSoMers in particular) did to them was just Unbelievable, Unforgettable, and Unstoppable Baby!

Where OWNING Dallas Happens.

And you can be damn sure I'm not going to let them forget it- especially Tim MacMahon who writes a Dallas Mavericks blog for The Dallas Morning News (do people in Dallas even have time to read the morning paper when they're too busy stuffing their faces and getting even fatter?) and the silly commenters on that site who both foolishly tried to disrespect Warriors Nation and GSoMers. We can't forget the scared Mavs Moneyball community either.

A flip through a bunch of their their wildly entertaining foolishness and softness from last spring after the jump. (Seriously you don't want to miss this!)

Continue reading this post »

Baron Davis agreed to be mic'd up when he sat out the 2nd preseason game against the Lakers. Nellie basically sat his starters so you can hear him, Jax, and Al chatting it up. They even show up with a little dance. Hilarious. It's all from the Warriors Training Camp blog:

By now I'm sure you peeped all of the blowout GSoM coverage of Media Day the Warriors held this past Monday. Our man Fantasy Junkie was in attendance at the event to talk shop with the players right before they made the trek out to Hawaii for Training Camp and the two preseason games against the LA Fakers (see Warriors 2k7-2k8: It's Training Camp Time! for the full schedule).

Boom Blogging | The Yi Movement

(Original photos by Robert Hanashiro, USA Today
Definitly check out their Media Day Photo Gallery narrated by Matt Barnes)

Thanks again to the Warriors for inviting us to the event. Next year let's do it at my place- I'll bring the orange soda and food from Pakwan!

Because we were so busy giving the fellas tips on how to shoot free throws at Media Day, we didn't get a chance to ask all of the questions we had planned. I thought rather than let them go to waste I'd share them with ya'll in the tradition of Deadspin's We Have to Ask segment.

Lace up your Strength Jump Shoes and make the jump for the questions.

Man if I wore these I'd be doing 360 windmill dunks... with my eyes closed!

Continue reading this post »

A hit song with a hit video!  Usher has made some hits in his lifetime but none of them can hold the torch to this one: You Remind Me, 8701 (2001).



Why does this song even matter?  Because it features someone related to the Warriors.  

Warriors TRIVIA: Which former Warrior is represented in this video?  (This answer could include anything related to the Warriors organization).

[EDIT] 321 In an Out guessed correctly: it is in fact a vintage Joe Smith throwback!


Usher tries to holla at this Brandy look-a-like

Who would be wearing a Joe Smith throwback in 2001? A Hardaway or Richmond one would have been more fitting. I hope that wardrobe director was fired for such bad taste!

Poll

do you love Usher's music?

• i bust out my best dance moves
• nah, i like Omarion

  25 votes | Results

It's that time of year, again. It's the second best thing in the summer besides the NBA Draft. It's as much hype as Bellinelli, Wright, Yi, and KG combined. It's more of a priority for our team than solidifying our frontcourt. It's the annual Warrior Girl auditions!


Wonder who will be in the calendar this year?

Dates and Times:

Place:

If you think you know how to work them hips...err...i mean, the crowd and are looking for a pretty sweet job cheering for one of the best teams in the NBA, then register HERE!

Also, if there is anyone with a ClubSport membership at the San Ramon branch and has time to check it out, we would love to get an update on this dance "summer league."


Channel your inner paparazzi and give our Warriors nation some updates!

Also, if you are interested in more NBA cheerleader news, check out nbadanceteam.com

Also see:

• BREAKING NEWS: NEW ADDITIONS (and subtractions) TO THE WARRIORS
• The New Fab 5
• Madonna/ Whore Complex in Sports
• 2005-2006 REPORT CARD: Warrior Girls, Thunder, Jr. Jam Squad, the Weekend Warriors, and The Band
• TODAY!!! BREAKING NEWS!!!
• Warrior selected for All-Star game

Several friends of mine have recently attended or plan to attend their 10 year high school reunions.  My high school (in the Bay Area) just sent me (living in Michigan) a small flier asking me to update them on my whereabouts and my general status.  Hmmm... what kind of wild stories can I come up with?  Pushing 6 figures (barely 4 in a real life)?  Jet-setter?  Dated super models?  Hmm that might not be so believable.  How about import car models?  Nah, how about i just tell them I drive an import car?  Now that sounds about right.  

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed high school and have no reason to not be happy about what I'm doing (who else can say they co-run GSoM? ha!) but why not make the reunion THAT much more outrageous?

My thinking more and more about high school was further jumpstarted by the fact that there were tons of high school flicks running on cable tv and the local public access channel in these parts of Michigan have been broadcasting and RE-RUNNING recent high school graduations!  I don't know what was more silly, actually broadcasting them or the fact that I actually paused to watch some of it.  At any rate, I began thinking of all the high school archetypes/stereotypes that existed high school and wondered which player on the Warriors could embody these usual (high school) suspects.  Based on the limited knowledge of what we know about the Warriors on and off-court personalities (sans the generic stereotypes we hear about them in the media), do you imagine Monta kicking it with you or stealing your tator tots (that never actually in my high school, at least not that I remembered)? Who REALLY was Zarko besides the guy who chilled at the end of the bench?  

Disclaimer: Granted, I went to a school in the 'burbs of the East Bay with it's own unique demographics; so, it DEFINITELY won't apply to all (or most?) scenarios.  Also, these high school-types are definitely gendered as male.  I tried as hard to make them as gender, race, sexed-neutral as possible, but that's a crazy impossible task.  I can just ask you to  please keep that in mind. 

So here's to the recent high school grads (2007)!  Congrats on finishing this stage in life and best of luck in the next!  Maybe one day, you, too, can help lead one of the best sports blogs in the world (tons of sarcasm)!

 

The Do-it-all (for lack of a better name) = Baron Davis

This smooth talker ended up going to Stanford on the show!

Ditty was probably that charming dude with the beautiful friends (read: Jessica Alba) who was a multisport lettering jock (including band!); was seen hanging out with all sorts of circles from the athletes to the mathletes; was class president 2 years in a row; and was committed to community service!  S/he was voted "most likely to be famous," but you didn't doubt it.  If there was an equivalent, I would say it Zach Morris of Saved By the Bell meets Will Smith from Fresh Prince.

 

Class clown = Mickael Pietrus

The Neanderthal version of Teen Wolf!

Who else could it be but Pietrus?  For some reason this student was in all the smart classes but absolutely had no clue what was going on.  Half the time you never knew what s/he was saying but the diversions from Spanish class were definitely welcomed.  Went to prom solo rockin' an all-white, powder blue, or purple velvet suit a la Prince and probably did a weird dance that for some reason everyone else started doing too with him/her.  Oh wait, I think this came from Encino Man, too. 

 

The Loner = Monta Ellis
I know I said I wouldn't by into the media mumbo jumbo, but Monta Ellis' aloof and nonchalant body langauge on the court (along with the crazy acne) leads me to believe s/he's that weird kid that sort people were skeptical about.  Usually sat in the back of the class rocking a Pantera t-shirt and black wrangler jeans, muttering unintelligible song lyrics (something like Insane Clown Posse) or bunch of randomness that people assume are the hymns from the book of satan.  Years after graduating, this person ends up being a model or in some capacity in the fashion world.  

 

The Theater/Drama Kid = Al Harrington

Hip-hop ballet fusion was interesting, but are the faux braids really necessary?

Al Harrington best typifies this stereotype in my mind.  Part time jock, full-time thespian.  Starred in many plays, probably something Shakespearian or the other high school staple, "Our Town."  An amazing dancer of various styles.  The movie equivalent?  Julia Styles character from "Save the Last Dance" (but less annoying and weird looking).

 

The Bully = Stephen Jackson

Complex and complicated, their mystery makes them appealing

You simultaneously feared Jax but wanted to be his friend.  Often misunderstood and socially profiled because he used to fight with kids in elementary school and middle school.  Relatively quiet dude that leans up against lockers focusing on what's coming through his headphones more so than the social scene around him.  Gets respect and as loyal a friend as they come; willing to scrap if it comes to.  Real dreams?  To be an artist.  Movie equivalent has to be Rashad from ATL (T.I.'s character).

 

The Momma's Boy = Patrick O'Bryant

The poor guy that everyone wants to wedgie or melvin

Patrick O'Bryant is sorta the invisible kid that's experienced the worst of puberty.  Socially and physically awkward, his mom packs his lunch (I wish my mom would pack my lunches now though... it takes forever!), takes and picks him up from school everyday, and dresses him.  A bright and friendly kid that enjoys Japanese Anime but remains relatively invisible to his peers.  Equivalent: Martin from The Simpsons

 

The Wanna-be Politician =Adonal Foyle

Uptight but friendly, this person tries hard to schmooze

Foyle could be reached at Debate team meetings, rotary club events, or maybe even kicking it with the Young Republicans. In high school, Foyle wanted to end global warming but has eyes set on campaign-finance reform.  Classes tended to be quite irritating with him/her just because they tended to talk a lot and sometimes off topic.  Equivalent?  Carlton Banks from Fresh Prince.

 

The "Indie" Kids
Cabbages and Biedrins were those kids.  No, not just because they're international players and because "Indie" kids were nonconformists and "alternative."  Biedrins' goofy game and always perfectly gelled hair (during games at that!) along with Cabbages' endless excitement reminds me of the rock/indie kids that were pretty musically talented, somewhat stylish, and just relatively decent people that were pretty unbiased and nonjudgmental about anything that wasn't music.

These are just a few general characters that I could think of and there are probably quite a few more that I didn't think of.  I wasn't able to get through all the Warriors but tried to stick with the ones I thought that seemed to have the most striking personalities.  

Do any of the Warriors resemble general cliques of your high school experiences?  Drop em' in the comments!

The man child that is Dwight Howard is in many ways Baby Shaq. He's an absolute beast on the glass and throws it down like Shaq in his Orlando days where the backboard was simply at his mercy. Last season Howard was good for nearly 18 points a game and a shade over 12 rodmans a game. He has the potential to dominate the paint for years to come. If he can work on his passing especially against double teams and pick up a few more offensive moves, he could be an All NBA 1st teamer in the very near future.

Baby Shaq is currently touring China and running into some difficulties with the language, but one thing's for sure- he's feeling The Movement:

The Black Yi Jianlian?
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Howard also had some nice things to say about that other Chinese guy in the NBA that some of you might have heard of:

I never realized Yao was so good that he had two spots in the NBA's top five player list. I guess when you're that good getting out of the 1st round of the NBA playoffs doesn't mean much. (Yes, I still can't get over the Rockets losing to the Utah Classless- the fans, not the players- in that 7 game series this past May.)

Is Dwight Howard just hyping up Yi because he's in China or is he sincerely down with The Movement?

Don't miss:

• 2007 NBA Draft: We want Yi Jian Lian!
• China vs USA- It's Yi Time!
• The Yi Movement Continues...
• Yi's Got Yao Ming and the Ladies Running!
• Yi Dropping Double Doubles
• Spanish Fly vs Yi Fly
• China vs USA- It's Yi Time!
• RECAP: Team USA 119, China 73
• Yi is FIBA's Interview of the (Long)Week
• Yi's a Sure Thing + Coast II Coast Bust
• Yi at FIBA and 2k7 Draft
• Yi in 2k7
• Yi's Sweeter than Mango Mochi Ice Cream
• Nellie Loves Chinese Ballas
• Yi Chat with Chad Ford
• Scouts LOVE Yi
• Is The Yi Movement Over?
• Rumor: Warriors are Yi "Approved"
• Rumor: Warriors and Bulls Want Yi

During this wildly exciting Warriors playoff run, we all adopted the mantra WE BELIEVE. Well, no one believed quite like GSoM friend Jason Gurney of Ballhype fame.

He placed a little wager with his brother, a diehard Utah Jazz fan (yes, they do exist), on the 2nd round series. If the Warriors lost, Jason would have to get a Matt Barnes-style mohawk. Unfortunately, the Warriors' great run came to an end against the Jazz and Jason had to get mohawked up (the equivalent of getting faded up). Fortunately, this made for a classic and memorable YouTube clip. Check it out:

If you don't blink you'll catch 3 very handsome We Believe GSoMers!

Props to Jason for being a good sport and assembling a fun video. Also, shout out to Markstyle in Menlo Park! They always hook this brown man up with a tight fade.

Also see:

• A Friendly Jazz-Warriors Wager [Ballhype]
• A Friendly Jazz-Warriors Wager II [Ballhype]
• Video - Settling the Jazz-Warriors Wager [Ballhype]
• Ballhype: Believe the Hype!

The house in Oakland is definitely going to be pumped up for Sunday's Game 4. It will only be the second playoff game in the Bay Area in the past 13 years. According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com GSoM favorite Jessica Alba will also be in the house to throw up that W with Dub Nation:

Not that they aren't already, but the Mavs should be scared, very scared. The Warriors have NEVER lost a playoff game with Jessica Alba in attendance. I'm not even joking.

Who would you rather take a picture with at Game 4- Baron "Boom Dizzle" Davis or Jessica "LL GSoM" Alba?

Also see:

• The Warrior Wonder Way
• Warrior Wonder Winner! (Presented by Jessica Alba)
• America's Next Biggest Warriors Fan presented by Jessica Alba
• Recap: Warriors 103, Lakers 108- It Just Doesn't Add Up

 

Poll

Who would you rather take a picture with at Game 4?

• Baron Davis
• Jessica Alba

  243 votes | Results