<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">As far as rivalries go, the Warriors and Kings have lacked some serious punch. The Kings were awful their first years in the Pacific Division when the Warriors rode Run TMC to fame. Both teams were dreadful through most of the 1990s, then the Kings got better and the Warriors stayed put. The pendulum might be swinging again for the NorCal neighbors. Golden State took the series opener with a 113-106 win Wednesday that players hoped would signal more than the start of a real rivalry. Believe it or not, the Warriors are now in a virtual tie for first place in the Pacific Division for the first time since 1992. "It's a good feeling," said Baron Davis, who set season-highs with 25 points, 16 assists and six 3-pointers. Though the Warriors led almost wire-to-wire, they had to withstand a late Kings rally when Mike Bibby cut their lead to six points on a 3-pointer with 3:15 to play. But Mike Dunleavy poured in 12 fourth-quarter points, and Davis iced the victory with a 3 over Brad Miller to keep Golden State streaking. The Warriors' season-best win streak is now at four games and Jason Richardson continued to stomp the Kings by leading all scorers with 33 points, 15 of them in the first quarter. Richardson hit seven of his first nine shot attempts, including an alley-oop dunk from Dunleavy to give Golden State a 13-8 lead. In three outings against the Kings last season, Richardson averaged 34 points. (He missed the fourth matchup due to personal reasons). "He can do it all," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "He can post up, he can take it to the basket, he gets in the open court. And having Baron Davis out there with him, it's a huge difference." </div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Who would have thought Jason Richardson would be this good? Can Dunleavy progress on the same scale?</div> No... Richardson will be an all-star someday, maybe this year. Dunleavy will never be an all-star.
Richardson has owned the Kings his whole career. Speaking of J-Rich, if the Warriors can keep up the winning ways, he should be a lock for reserve on the All-Star team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kwan1031:</div><div class="quote_post">I wonder if Davis will make All-Star as well...</div> Not only an all star, but if the Warriors get 45-50 wins, he would be a top canidate for MVP.
Well, let's see Western conference. There are 5 usual All Star starters. Yao KG Duncan Kobe TMac Then, these are sure in for All Stars vets. Dirk Nash Marion That leaves 4 spots including one spot for inevitable center position. Parker Brand Maggette Richardson Davis Anthony Gasol Non-PO teams basically never produce All-Stars, so I exclude Allen for now. Brand and Gasol are sure in, because they are from winning teams, and All-Star usually select at least one player from winning teams. So, that make Richardson a strong possibility. Also, they may move either Brand or Gasol to center and create one spot for any player. But in terms of stats and team record wise, I think it would be very hard for Davis to beat out Parker. Because Houston, the worst team in West at this point, makes two All-Stars, it would be very competitve to make a reserve roster this year. Well... Still tons of games to play, but it's fun to guess at this point, because finally Warriors players may involve in All-Star talk...
