1) How does it feel to be back in the playoffs again?

Being a long suffering Warriors fan since the Run TMC days, it's a feeling akin to winning the championships. We're happy just to have made it with an incredible 16 wins out of 21 (.762 winning record) to finish the season. We'll savor just making the playoffs for some time.

2) Nellie did a lot to start the foundation for this Mavs team, but what does he mean to the Warriors team, fans, and organization?

Well, before Dallas, Don Nelson was the Warriors head coach during the 1993 - 1994 season when we made the playoffs last. However, after the season and losing the playoffs in round one, he had personnel issues with star player Chris Webber, and Nellie ended up trading him and the team's fortunes have gone south since. Thus, it was very fortuitous for the Warriors and their fans when GM Chris Mullin was able to convince Nellie out of retirement and return to coaching the Warriors. With the miraculous 16 - 5 finish to end the season and earn the 8th and final spot in the playoffs, it means the Warriors have indeed come full circle with Don Nelson.

Nellie is extremely innovative when it comes to taking advantage of matchups, so he could contribute in this area. Also, he's experienced in the playoffs, so he won't be likely to make many mistakes. It may be different for the players, as only Baron, Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington have playoff experience. I rate it even between Nelson and Avery Johnson as coaches because AJ has experience from going to the Finals last year and he has the better players to work with.

3) What's the mood with Warrior fans when it comes to the Mavs and this series?

a) I am happy we made the playoffs but we will lose to the Mavs even though we have beaten them this season.
b) It should be a close series that could go either way.
c) We have dominated the Mavs the past two seasons and should be able to beat them in 5-6 games.

I would say A right after the Warriors made it, but since they are in the playoffs, the mood (hope) is changing towards B.

As for C (the Warriors winning record and success against the Mavs the past two seasons), there is some effect, but it's probably not enough to make a difference. It won't be a major factor in the playoffs. Strategies and play change in the playoffs, so Dallas could easily turn it around and grind out the needed victories.

4) The key to this series for Golden State to win is?

Warriors could give the Mavs some problems if Baron Davis, Jason Richardson, Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, and Matt Barnes or Mikael Pietrus off the bench are hitting their outside and 3-pt shots. It seems Dallas has a difficult time trying to cover the perimeter in a running game. The Warriors will try to force Dallas into playing their running tempo.

5) The key to this series for Dallas to win is?

Well, they have more talented players and a better bench as demonstrated by the Mavs almost winning the championships last year and their tremendous record this year. Against the Warriors, Dallas could take control if they are able to establish boards early and wear the Warriors down. I would guess they play physical inside and try to grind the Warriors down.

6) Who will be the "X-factor" in this series?

My first thought was Coach Nelson because he changes things up so much, but Avery knows him, so the coaches are evenly matched. Thus, I would have to go with Erick Dampier, an ex-Warrior who's the starting center now for the Mavs. I dunno -- is he even playing? I'm guessing he'll be fired up to meet his former team in the playoffs, especially since most Warriors fans rode his jock and thought he was an underachieving center.

7) When it is all said and done, who wins and in how many games?

Dallas would have to be heavily favored. The Mavs in five.

Still, I hope it will be an entertaining series and not just a blow out by the Mavs. They're favored and with good reason, but if the Warriors could get it down to a one game series, they could pull off an upset of the decade.

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"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves."
--William J. H. Boetcker 1916