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Warriors' Davis is Mr. Clutch in 4th quarter
By Marcus Thompson II
Bay Area News Group
Article Launched: 01/02/2008 01:57:50 AM PST
DALLAS - Baron Davis has a new nickname: Short Game.
The nickname, given to the Warriors point guard by assistant coach Keith Smart, refers to Davis' ability to take over games down the stretch. Davis has been at his best when victory is at stake, especially on the road. Forward Stephen Jackson described it best: "Get the ball to Baron and get out of the way."
Smart said, "When the fourth quarter is on the line, you get the ball to him. He plays below the foul line, he can make plays on (the perimeter). He's a willing passer if he's doubled and he can take advantage of (shooting guards) and (small forwards), let alone (point guards). Baron just understands the game."
Today in Dallas, Davis plays against a team familiar with his clutch play. He hit big shot after big shot in the Warriors' upset of the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs last season.
Davis is the main reason the Warriors have a chance to sweep a three-game trip for the first time in 15 years. Sunday at Denver and Monday at Houston, he totaled 20 points and seven assists in the fourth quarter as the Warriors outscored the Nuggets 30-23 and the Rockets 37-15.
Davis' statistics only begin to illustrate his importance. They don't detail how many opportunities he creates for others because defenses focus on him. They don't quantify the confidence boost his teammates get in the final minutes when he has the basketball in his hands.
"He does everything," forward Matt Barnes said. "He plays defense. He can guard the other team's best player. He passes with the best, always hits big shots. What else can you do as a player? When it's crunch time, there's no one else you'd rather have on the floor, offensively or defensively."
There's no better point guard in the fourth quarter, the Warriors say. After what Davis did against Dallas in the postseason and his clutch play this season, his teammates have grown accustomed to his late-game heroics.
"I don't get amazed because that's what I expect from him," Jackson said. "I know he can do it. Baron has an imagination out of this world. So when he does something you don't expect, we expect it because we're around him every day (in practice)."
Davis has been in position to take over down the stretch because he has received a bit more rest. Earlier this season, he was third in the NBA in minutes played per game. Now he's 16th - and second on the Warriors behind Jackson.
At the very least, Coach Don Nelson has been sitting Davis out at the end of the third quarter, and sometimes the start of the fourth quarter. Nelson also plays Jackson and Monta Ellis occasionally at point guard, giving Davis some easier minutes at shooting guard.
"Because he's not always involved in the pick and roll, he doesn't wear out by the fourth quarter," Smart said.
With relatively fresh legs under him, Davis said his mindset shifts in the fourth quarter into a takeover mode, especially when the coaches tell him it's time for him to be aggressive.
"Now or never," Davis said. "Barbecue or mildew. That's my mentality."