In an era when the ties between NCAA universities and NBA teams have been all but severed by early entries to the draft, it’s rare to hear any school mentioned during the playoffs.
But the Golden State Warriors are breaking a lot of trends this postseason, and they’re waving a UCLA banner as they do it.
The Warriors are facing the Dallas Mavericks, defending Western Conference champions and owners of the league’s best record, and they have them on the ropes with a 3-2 series lead. Golden State was minutes away from the ultimate upset last night, squandering a nine-point fourth quarter lead. The team will have another shot Thursday night at home in Oakland.
Dallas looked invincible entering the series with a 67-15 record and a chip on its shoulder from last year’s loss in the finals. Yet the young Warriors have made them look entirely human, taking game 1 in Dallas and then 2 in Oakland. All of a sudden, the NBA could see a top seed fall in the first round for the first time in 8 years.
The Warriors are led by a former Bruin, Baron Davis. The point guard has had the best statistical season of his career and started in 60 games for the first time since ’03-’04. Davis has averaged over 25 points a game in the series.
When Davis went down at the beginning of his sophomore season (his last at UCLA) with an injury, he was replaced by sophomore Matt Barnes. Barnes went on to enjoy a solid four-year career at UCLA while Davis became a star in the pro league. Barnes bounced around the NBA after being selected in the 2002 Draft, playing for the Clippers, Sixers, Kings, and Knicks.
Davis and Barnes were reunited at the beginning of this season, and Barnes has finally found some stability alongside his former UCLA teammate. He has finally cracked an NBA starting lineup after four seasons and has been a valuable addition to Golden State’s rotation.
During broadcasts, the bond between Davis and Barnes has been an obvious topic of discussion because two UCLA greats have been announcing the games; Reggie Miller on TNT and Bill Walton on ESPN. Miller has emphasized the Westwood link in his thoughtful, articulate style. The eccentric Walton, always proud of his glorious college career, has been sure to characterize the journeyman Barnes as a “UCLA great.”
The matchups resonate with longtime Bruin fans, too. Mavericks point guard Jason Terry starred at Arizona while Davis and Barnes were at UCLA. Davis beat the Wildcats just once in his two years at UCLA. But he has gotten the best of Terry almost a decade later, dominating the Arizona alum on the grand stage of the NBA playoffs.
The two former Bruins are not the only Warriors enjoying remarkable seasons. Monta Ellis won the NBA Most Improved Player award. Stephen Jackson is finally making a positive impression (on the court) after establishing himself as one of the league’s most infamous as a Pacer. Don Nelson, the weathered head coach, is out-coaching his former team with less talent.
Anticipating an intense game 6 in Oakland, I can’t help but feel partial to the Warriors’ brilliant story lines and lovable underdog status.
But most of all, it’s embracing two members of the UCLA family, reunited after their days in Westwood and poised to shock the NBA.
E-mail Allen at sallen@media.ucla.edu if you hope Arron Afflalo ends up a Warrior.