NBA: Former Warriors Superstar Says No One 'Could Match Up Against' Him In His Prime

NBA legend and former Golden State Warriors superstar Baron Davis said he felt like nobody was able to match up against him during his team’s memorable playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks in 2007.

In a recent talk with the "Legends of Sport" podcast, Davis discussed the “We Believe” Warriors’ epic comeback season in 2007 where they ended up playing the defending Western Conference champions Mavs in the first round of the NBA playoffs. According to the two-time NBA All-Star, everyone in his team was playing well during the series, including Jason Richardson and Monta Ellis.

Davis admitted that during the series, the “fear of losing” fueled him to play on a different level. At the time, the then-Warriors guard felt like he was just too good for everybody else in the opposing team.

“For me, it was just ‘get to the bucket, get to the bucket, get to the bucket,’” Davis recalled. “Put pressure on the defense. In the playoffs, you play a tittle bit more with angst and fear. This fear of losing, or this fear wasting possession. I know now it’s a little bit different, but back then, it was all about possessions and playing a possession game.”

“It was like get to the rim, get the best shot, make them play at our pace,” he continued. “I just feel there wasn’t anyone who could match up against me.”

Apparently, Davis was somewhat telling the truth and stats back his statement. He took advantage of favorable match-ups with then-Mavs guards Devin Harris and Jason Terry, performing with great poise on both ends of the floor.

During the six-game series, Davis outscored everybody and averaged 25.0ppg, 6.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game while connecting 45.4% of his three-point field goals.

Warriors would go on to eliminate the Mavericks. The team’s victory became one of the most notable upsets in the history of the NBA.

Davis played for 13 seasons in the NBA. He played his last season with the New York Knicks in 2011 and officially called it a career after averaging only 6.1 points per game. He attempted to make a comeback in 2016 but never managed to secure a deal with any NBA team.

"When someone asked me [when I'd make my comeback] before, I didn't want to answer," Davis told Bleacher Report in 2016. "If I make it in the NBA or wind up playing overseas, I will be at peace. I know the NBA is the place for me because I have the game and now I have the confidence in my body. The last six years I was hurt and in pain and I wasn't myself. I'm moving a lot faster and better than I did then."