A History Lesson
The Hornets beat the Clippers. It took overtime, but that made it even sweeter. Stephen Jackson isn’t going to court until May. When he goes, it’s looking good for his claim of self defense. Things are golden in Warrior-land at the moment, so I’m not going to touch ‘em. I don’t want to be the guy who jinxes it. Instead, it’s time for a blast from the past after the jump.
The last time the Warriors visited the NBA’s promised land (thanks Robin) was 1994. They managed 50 wins. They averaged 107.9 points per game, shot a blistering 49.2% from the field, and snagged 43.6 boards a night. Latrell Sprewell led the team in scoring with 21 points per game, but some rookie from Michigan managed 17.5 along with 9.1 boards.
On April 11, they beat the Dallas Mavericks 122-108 with a balanced offensive attack. Nelson went big, starting Sprewell, Mullin, Owens, Webber, and Gatling. Spree led the team with 33 points, Owens grabbed 11 boards to go with his 6 assists, but (in a sign of things to come) Webber only managed 2 rebounds. Avery logged an efficient 25 minutes off the bench. A few weeks later the team would meet the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs. It would be a close but quick three game sweep, with the final game decided by a score of 140-133. A tough end to a promising season, but nothing compared to what was ahead.
(Cue the ominous music)
1994-95: 26 wins
1995-96: 36 wins
1996-97: 30 wins
1997-98: 19 wins
1998-99: 21 wins (lockout)
1999-00: 19 wins
2000-01: 17 wins
2001-02: 21 wins
2002-03: 38 wins
2003-04: 37 wins
2004-05: 34 wins
2005-06: 34 wins
The Warriors didn’t just beat the Jazz Monday night. They put 12 years of ugly history up on the chopping block. Friday night, with a little luck and hunger, they’ll push into win territory they haven’t seen for a long, long time. It’s nothing compared to the p-word, but it’s something. Nellie left 45 games into the 94-95 season, with only 14 wins to his name. There are lots of people around this organization who have shared in righting the ship (including the fans), but it will be particularly satisfying for Nelson to give the Ws a big push back towards respectability.
Four games left. It’s time to put some history to rest.
I like your blog a lot, but on nights when “work” keeps you from seeingthe game,and since you are so popular, why not get the NBA game package and tape then write when your work lessens?
Adam, as an ex-DA (and W’s fan), I’ve been following the Jackson case, too, and am curious at the basis for your thought that his “self defense” claim is “looking good.” My understanding is that he shot his handgun — at least five times — BEFORE the guy drove the car at him. Granted, he only shot in the air, but that’s illegal (and one would be surprised at just how many people are killed each year by stray shots fired in the air — not missed shots at people). Doesn’t sound like a powerful — or even very good — self defense argument (though I concede “celebrities” are very difficult to convict, given jurors’ unfortunate preoccupation with fame over substance).
My thought remains that, while Jack may try for an all or nothing “walk” here, his best option is to plead to a misdemeanor, non-violent, if possible (such as “disturbing the peace”). He already’s been held for a probation violation by the Michigan judge in the Pistons incident (and could get up to 30 days this Summer for that — though I believe work detail or community service is more likely), so I’d suspect the Indiana DA would be receptive to such a deal, especially since Jack testified (successfully, apparently) against the other guy in the earlier trial.
Do you have other information?
Johnl -
I don’t have any other information and your analysis makes sense. My statement was based on vague comments from Jackson that things were looking good when the trial does eventually roll around. This could mean a lot of things, but I linked it to his self-defense claim since it’s been his lawyer’s public position.
I could see the alleged “before” aspect of the shooting cutting either way for his self-defense claim. The guy driving the car has been convicted, so Jax will have an easy time showing he was in real danger. If he can show that the guy was threatening him or gave him a reasonable basis to assume he was in grave danger before he drove the car at him, he could still sell a jury on the self-defense claim if he shot before the guy drove at him.
Ultimately, we both know how these dances work. As you said, Jackson will probably fake an all-or-nothing move, then plead out to disturbing the peace. The probation violation in another jurisdiction makes things a bit trickier, but not impossible. It’s an ugly case and I’m not here to defend Jackson’s actions. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.
Sincewilt -
Thanks for the kind words. I’d love to try to make a solution like yours work, but typically there just aren’t enough hours in the day. I could tape stuff but realistically I’d be 24 hours behind the game before I could post. Given the fast pace of the NBA season, I’d rather get something up for the morning after and let readers fill in the blanks with their (always fantastic) insights.
That Phoenix series (which I still have on VHS) featured one of my favorite Sprewell dunks. If my memory serves me well, Spree was pissed off at Barkley for getting away with a cheap shot on Byron Houston and standing over Houston jawing at him. Spree got a loose ball in the key with a few seconds left in the first half, took a quick two-handed dribble and barely got above the rim to slam it on Barkley. As he turned back to play defense, he called Barkley a “punk” - a comment that Chuck (model citizen that he is/was) didn’t quickly let go.
Since Spree didn’t have big hands, watching him pull off one-handed dunks was always interesting, but this one was absolutely vicious.
Scott, like you,I still have game three of that series on VHS. Chuck went crazy and score 21 points in the 1st quarter.
I never was a fan of Nelson the first time and specially the second time around. But he was the guy that led the Ws to the playoff in 94 and he is the coach for this possible playoff year, then I have to give him credit. I still think he did not teach and focus enough on defense and half course offense scheme. I guess we can’t have it all.
As for the recent defense intensity from the Ws, I wonder how much credit we can give to Nelson or it was because guys just stepping up. Nelson should ask the guys to move their feet more and less reaching in with their hands, oh boys the Ws seem to do that way too often. I think in the playoff, the refs will call these more often than in the regular season games, I hope I am wrong.
For me, I give credit to JR and Jackson as the leaders to lead this team in focus on intensity and tenacity. JR is not a good defender, but he gives all he has. SJ is a very defender and he plays that parts very well. I think he has helped the team much more than AH, who was the talked of the trade.
All the remaining games are meaningful and that is just amazing. Win or lose, playoff or not, I have been enjoying the Ws games for the past few weeks just watching the way they compete.
GO WARRIORS…
AndrewN:
Nellie is here to help Mully clean house. I am sure if the Ws keeps improving next year, he will go back to Maui. I doubt Nellie will be here 3 years.
Peace people
We love you