The Secret to Their Success

It hit me last night as I watched the 2nd half of the Plucky Little Warriors' 113-105 road victory over Memphis. The Warriors have star power in Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson and even, to a certain extent, Al Harrington.

They have top young emerging talent in Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins.

They have the Hall of Fame coach in Don Nelson, and the fun up-tempo style that Nellie has had so much success with, particularly in his last stop here.

But the real key to the Warriors' success? Kelenna Azubuike and Matt Barnes.

If you watched the game last night you saw why. Azubuike was only the 5th leading scorer for the Ws last night with 15 points, but he hit big shot after big shot down the stretch - none bigger than his 3 point play with 3:28 left just after the Grizzlies had cut the deficit to 8 points and looked to be seizing momentum and possibly the game. It was a fearless play - driving the lane, getting pounded, yet somehow making the shot to bring the momemtum back to his side. Championship players make plays like that.

For good measure Azubuike also grabbed a couple of key rebounds, played good defense and made no major mistakes down the stretch.

Matt Barnes went scoreless on the night but actually had a huge impact on the game. His 7 rebounds and 4 assists didn't exactly fill up the scoresheet, but if you were watching you saw that every one of them was huge, that his hustle plays led to extra possessions for the team, his slick ball movement allowed the offense to flow, and he too played a strong defensive game.

What's particularly amazing about both players is that until they became Warriors they weren't considered valuable assets. Azubuike went undrafted out of college, played D-Ball for a couple of years, and was waived twice before finding his niche here. Barnes was drafted (in the 2nd round) but bounced around the league, playing for 6 different teams before ending up on the Warriors.

Now their grit, tenacity, and knack for making the right play - even if it's not the sexy play - at the right moment have them both playing key minutes for the playoff contending Warriors. Night in and night out they are giving the effort and making the plays that need to be made.

And, more often than not, being the difference between winning and losing while playing in the shadows of their better known teammates.