Top 5 Moments from the “We Believe” Warriors Playoff Run
As Oracle Arena nears the end of its final season in Oakland, let’s take a look back at what may be considered the loudest moments in Oracle’s history.
The 2006–07 Golden State Warriors will be remembered for being the first eighth-seeded team in NBA playoff history, to beat a number one seed in a seven-game series.
In March of the same season, the Warriors posted a record of 26–35, with 21 games left in the regular season. The Warriors were sitting at 12th place in the Western Conference, looking at the final playoff spot.
The Warriors would pull off the unthinkable, closing out the regular season and going 16–5. It all came down to the last game of the regular season: The Warriors needed a win over the Portland Trailblazers, also a Los Angeles Clippers loss to secure a playoff berth.
Thanks to the win on the last day of the regular season, we are presented with these top plays that are remembered in Warriors history.
Number 5: Dallas…There’s a New Sheriff in Town
Game one of round one for the Warriors took center stage at the American Airlines Center. Baron Davis helped the Warriors pick up the first win of the series against the Dallas Mavericks. Davis balled out with a stat-line of 33 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 three-pointers.
Davis had 19 points in the third quarter alone; closing out with a three-pointer straight away. The Warriors would have a 72–66 lead heading into the final frame.
14 REBOUNDS for a guard?
In a lineup with no true center (Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, Jason Richardson, Stephen Jackson, and Al Harrington)?
UNHEARD OF at that time.
Number 4: First Home Playoff Game in 13 years
Jason Richardson puts up 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 three-pointers. The crowd at Oracle was on their feet, and fans today still say it is was one of the loudest games in the arena’s existence. The Dubs won 109–91, and would take a 2–1 series lead over Dallas.
Number 3: HE BANKED IT IN!!!
1.1 seconds remain before halftime in game four against Dallas.
Baron Davis ties the game up at 49 points apiece, after a made free-throw by Dirk Nowitzki heading into the half. That buzzer-beater by Davis was a huge play in the series, as the Warriors would squeak by Dallas for a game four win in Oracle, 103–99.
And oh yeah… Baron Davis had 33 points; that was Davis’ second 30-point game of the series.
Number 2: 108 Decibel Dunk
The only game won by Golden State in the Conference Semi-Finals, came in game three against the Utah Jazz. The Warriors blew the Jazz out 125–105.
Baron Davis provided 32 points, 9 assists, and 6 steals including the and-1 spike dunk on Andrei Kirilenko with 2 minutes and 48 seconds left in the game.
Number 1: I Am the Captain Now
Stephen Jackson’s 33 point, 7–8 3-point shooting performance, will go down as maybe of the greatest playoff performances in Oracle Arena history.
The Warriors held Dirk Nowitzki to 8 points, 10 rebounds, 3 turnovers on 2–13 fg shooting, and 0–6 from beyond the arc.
The 111–86 blowout win in game six, was the cherry on top for Golden State. With the victory, the Golden State Warriors would win a playoff series for the first time since 1991.
Game 6 Highlights:
