We were all a bit confused to see Baron Davis sitting on the bench for the entire second half of the Warriors' loss to the Suns, and rightfully so. Even though he only shot 2-13 from the field in the first half and apparently can't defend the pick and roll to save his life, you simply don't bench your team leader in a game you have to have to keep your slim playoff hopes alive. Unless there was another reason to do so.
A little comment from Paul Coro in the Arizona Republic may just tell us the real reason that Baron was benched during that critical contest:
Golden State's Baron Davis was gone. He was benched for the second half by Warriors coach Don Nelson after a 2-for-13 first half and a Sunday night birthday party in the Valley.
"I gave Baron a much-needed rest in the second half," Nelson said.
If there's any truth to this, that Baron was out partying a little too hard the night before the team's last gasp at remaining in the hunt for a playoff spot, then it's absolutely inexcusable. I know there wasn't a huge chance for the Warriors to make the playoffs even if they won out, but there was still a chance. I also know that players stay out late on a regular basis, but with the season on the line, you'd think just this once that Baron would have the sense to get to bed at a decent hour and not overdo it before what is always a high octane game against the Suns.
Let's not forget though that this Warriors team has a history -- this season -- of players partying the night before a game and then playing poorly because of it. Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington took a trip to Vegas before a game against the Lakers, and Baron went to promote his film at the Sundance Festival the night before a bad home loss to Minnesota.
Honestly, I don't know why so many people root for this team. It's filled with selfish players who are sore losers that play zero defense. They were lucky to get into the playoffs last year, and were even luckier to get matched up with the one team they could actually beat. Last season was a fluke; this season proved as much.
At least there's a bright side for Warriors' fans: if this turns out to be true about Baron's partying costing his team the game, he'll definitely be back in Golden State next year. Because even if he were to opt out of his contract, no other team would want to sign him.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. Winning is just not as important as it was before........they make so much money and have a great life.....if they win a title..... great but if not life goes on.....the fans care more than most players.
Posted at 9:07PM on Apr 15th 2008 by Michael Corgnati
2. How does winning 48 games -- the most ever for a team that will miss the playoffs -- proves that last season (42 wins) was a "fluke"?
Posted at 9:59PM on Apr 15th 2008 by bosordsjc
3. um...so i agree completely that if BD was partying, that's a dumb move.
that said, why the hate on the Ws? I mean, I get that you're the blogger, so you get to cast out unwarranted aspersions like "selfish" and get away with it, but I'd expect you to at least pretend to hide your biases.
Your link that you claim shows we got lucky last year...doesn't say that at all. It shows that the clippers couldn't win against Sacramento's bench, despite Sacramento tanking. That means LA didn't earn it, and we did. This is lucky in what way, exactly? I haven't even accounted for the fact that we got MORE wins this year, meaning last year doesn't really constitute a fluke...
And yes, some of the actions taken in the Utah series crossed the line. Not really sure why a flop by fisher and a single hard foul constitutes "sore losing," nor how the actions of TWO players (one of whom isn't even on the team anymore) reflects on the entire organization...but sure, that crossed the line, the same way Utah fans' racist comments crossed the line.
Of course, the points I'm making assume you want to even pretend to be reasonable or rational, so I don't expect them to resonate with you. *shrug*
Posted at 10:15PM on Apr 15th 2008 by ankur
4. so getting eliminated from the playoffs with one game left in one of the most highly competitive nba regular seasons the league has ever seen proves they're a fluke?
take off your faker glasses bro. we root for the warriors even when they were terrible. it's easy to be in bandwagon LA when the Lakers are doing well and everyone starts to love them again.
Posted at 10:17PM on Apr 15th 2008 by andy
5. This is one stupid post. There isn't any proof. They play night games. So there is plenty of time to rest even if you stay out late.
Posted at 11:50PM on Apr 15th 2008 by LB
6. Quote: "Honestly, I don't know why so many people root for this team. It's filled with selfish players who are sore losers that play zero defense. They were lucky to get into the playoffs last year, and were even luckier to get matched up with the one team they could actually beat. Last season was a fluke; this season proved as much."
I live in the Bay Area and couldn't agree more. Thankfully we'll be spared all the "We Believe" nonsense this time around. I'll start rooting for the Warriors again once they get rid of thugballers like Jackson and Harrington.
Posted at 11:51PM on Apr 15th 2008 by Glacier571
7. I think Baron's benching is more performance-related than anything. If Nellie's reason was the party from the night before, Baron would not have gotten the playing time he did in the first half.
Posted at 11:52PM on Apr 15th 2008 by Ryne Nelson
8. Flimsy evidence, dude. Maybe if Nellie had said something like "I sat him because he was totally hungover, I could smell the whisky on his breath, he could barely stand still", then maybe I'd be buying.
As for your rant, take a long walk on a short pier. As others before have pointed out, a 48 win season following a 42 win season can hardly be called failure. and I guess steals and fast break points don't count as defense anymore, since you tell me they play "zero defense".
Posted at 11:52PM on Apr 15th 2008 by CKDexterHaven
9. Lakers fanatic here...
i couldn't agree more with the sentiments of Warriors fans who are wondering.... What the hell are you talking about "Fluke?"...
Like was said, they won more games this year in a conference that was super competitive and loaded like hell at the top...
And as far as the "thugballers" commment... You people are really all the same. Pathetic even.
Now, Brett, GET YO ASS BACK ON THE COMPUTER AND PUMP OUT SOME MORE KOBE SHIT! It's been almost a day or so.... You are SLACKING, Bro!
Posted at 11:53PM on Apr 15th 2008 by DM's fat ugly wife loves KOBE
10. this is merely anti-Warriors propaganda.
Posted at 11:53PM on Apr 15th 2008 by darrell
11. I hate to belabor the point made by a few other posters, but I can't comprehend how the Warriors 2007-08 season proves that last season was a fluke. As has been pointed out on the board, they've won more games than last year despite the fact that the Western Conference was more competitive this year.
If the Warriors are a fluke, does that mean that the Cavaliers, Wizards, Raptors, Sixers, and Hawks are having fluke-like playoff seasons this year? It must be because the Warriors would be seeded ahead of all of them if they played in the East.
Posted at 11:53PM on Apr 15th 2008 by Jason S.
12. Jason S is right on point. That fluke comment is just hate, plain and simple. Forget the fact that the warriors gave Brett's lakers two of the most entertaining games of their season, this team gives the NBA the much needed action that it sorely lacks. Imagine if the warriors ended up in the finals last year vs the cavs, I imagine the ratings would've shot through the roof, rather than tank toward the basement. Save your sh*t for some teams in the east, Brett.
Posted at 12:51AM on Apr 16th 2008 by jay
13. dude, i am about done with this brett edwards character. he said the other day that one cannot with a straight face perform charitable acts (or even comment upon others' misfortune) while wearing a piece of jewelry. adios, click-throughs!
look, calling davis for poor D or rumors is one thing, but this is like 2 articles in 2 days with what i feel are fairly unreasonable claims without giving any justification (today being that disparaging the W's general, the earlier being Kobe's earring while giving an interview).
Posted at 1:17AM on Apr 16th 2008 by dmahlburg
14. Baron, win championship first, then party with white women.
'k?
Posted at 2:17AM on Apr 16th 2008 by nickstoli
15. 42 win season followed up by a 48 win season is not evidence of a fluke. Typical warrior hater. You in Charles fave 5 too?
Posted at 2:44AM on Apr 16th 2008 by SGP
16. You want to know why so many people root for this team; it's because they are fun to watch. I enjoy watching the Warriors play. I still Believe!!
Posted at 3:07AM on Apr 16th 2008 by MikeFrye
17. the real fluke is how closely matched the top 8 in the West were this season.
the Warriors played about as well as possible given the makeup of their roster. the main reason the Warriors are the odd man out of the playoffs is not poor perimeter defense, or poor work ethic from their stars, but their lack of an inside presence to match up against Duncan, Boozer, Stoudemire, et al. let's say, hypothetically, that instead of trading J. Rich. for Brandan Wright we got Shaq instead. while that doesn't help us as much in the long term, that definitely gets us in the playoffs this year and probably makes us legitimate contenders.
Posted at 3:25AM on Apr 16th 2008 by saint_nikolas
18. the warriors are among the league leaders in steals, and the only reason they give up so many points per game is that they play at a fast tempo so the other team has time for more shots. and i guess the warriors were better with murphy and dunleavy then they are now with "thugballers" harrington and jackson? root for your pistions vs. spurs 82-78 nba finals.
Posted at 4:30AM on Apr 16th 2008 by mike c.
19. Dallas fan here. Nellie was probably out partying with Davis, for his reputation for same proceeds his coaching ability.
Plus double cheers for Nellie in his lawsuit with Cuban. Ole Nellie is packin his suitcases for Hawaii, lucky fellow. "Adios state side," as he slams the door on basketball for yet another season.
Posted at 9:50AM on Apr 16th 2008 by mark
20. Dallas fan here. Nellie was probably with BD.
Posted at 11:17AM on Apr 16th 2008 by mark