Well, I think that is really where the Nellie factor is the biggest. Like Rick with Webb or Artest last year, like Phil when he took over an out of shape Shaq -- the veteran coach comes in and reaches the super talented underacheiving star, and it makes all the difference.
I think your selling the rest of the team short. They played good enough defense on Dirk to shellshock him. Jackson, Richardson, Barnes all played well in spots.
I don't see how Baron is an elite player even despite this win, unless he starts dominating in the regular season. He is an elite calibur PG, but not really on the level of Wade, Lebron, Duncan,
:gulp:: Dirk:: ::gulp:: -- well bad example).
But seriously. If the Golden State Warriors lose, and Baron stays healthy and puts up the same regular season #'s, can you really call him elite?