Warriors-Mavericks, Game 3 live blogging

7 posts in one day. This proves that a good blogging client makes a massive difference in how frequently you update.

I've never seen the Warriors before, and they're really a delight to watch. Don Nelson knows basketball aesthetics. He also seems to know that lightly regarded teenager prospects from Latvia can be tremendous frontcourt players in a smallball set. Biedrins looks like a menace, even though he clearly can't shoot from more than 2 feet. He's fast for his size, and he can definitely dunk.

On the other side, Josh Howard looks equally menacing as a do-it-all swingman. He has a great interview at TrueHoop that's definitely worth reading. Although I have to object to this passage:

What did you study in college?
Religion. At Wake Forest, they always try to put athletes in sociology and communications because they are not hard. Really, when I looked at it, I thought about what would happen if I got injured and basketball was over for me? I don't like broadcasting. And sociology -- I'm a black man with a single mother. I know all there is to know about that already.

Hey, easy there Josh. I'm getting a PhD in sociology and I don't want famous athletes spreading the word that sociology is the slacker's degree.

When the trade initially happened, a lot of people wondered if the Golden State-Indiana swap wasn't just an even exchange of baggage: Golden State dumped underachieving overpaid players, while Indiana got rid of malcontents who were good but never great. (Typical headline: Warriors and Pacers trade big salaries, but for what?) But it's clear that setting is everything, and Stephen Jackson esepcially is way better off in a run-and-gun system where guards shoot a lot and don't need to feed the post.

Now, to the game:

Bill Walton is relentlessly critical, as usual.

Golden State is up 11 and looking really impressive on offense.

The league should be immensely thankful the Warriors made the playoffs instead of the Clippers. The Golden State style is infinitely more television-friendly, even if few people are watching the first round games.

I don't know why Jason Richardson had such a bad season - he looks incredible early on. He has 17 points in 14 minutes and appears to be the best player on the floor.

ESPN flashes the graphic mentioning the obligatory 1994 Nuggets-Sonics series to remind us that it is technically possible for the 8th seed to win.

The mouthguard is a disgusting part of basketball generally, a big hunk of clear plastic covered in drool. Still, I can see the necessity when you're Dirk Nowitzki and you're getting knocked in the hear all the time.

The Mavs look terrible. Devean George just shot an airball, and on the play before Dirk turned it over out of the double-team. Still, Golden State is running so hot that they can't possible keep up this pace. Right now it's a clinic and they very Phoenix-esque: running off of made baskets, setting up isolations, getting follow-up dunks on the break. Still, I can't believe the Mavs will lay down in this game.

Unfortunately, I can't sit in the student union all night watching this. I could, but I also want to got home, shower, and take a break from the NBA (!). So let's pick this up tomorrow.

UPDATE: I'm checking the game on Yahoo! GameChannel and the Warriors are up 21 in the fourth quarter. This is really unbelievable, and I'm thrilled. Not because I hate the Mavericks, just because it's a great storyline.