Warriors and Pelicans, David and Goliath (vice sports)

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The way that Stephen Curry dances through the NBA's defenses makes no sense, while also looking entirely too reasonable. His superhuman handle and bulletproof confidence enable him to skate more easily through protean, state-of-the-art defensive coverages designed specifically to stop him than most of us negotiate our way through grocery store aisles. Packed in or spread out or double-teamed or zoned, he reliably finds the few inches he needs to punish teams with his three-point slingshot, or to make passes that punish defenses for focusing on him. The Golden State Warriors have been so good that their most difficult springtime task has been destroying the opposition with any modesty; the greatest challenge Curry has faced this year, it seems, is continuing to appear humble in the face of his own all-destroying awesomeness.

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They're walking a very fine line between swagger and hubris as the NBA Playoffs begin, and it could hardly be any other way. In their first round matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State's biggest issue might be that they've flown too close to the sun, and no longer fear God and Anthony Davis as they should. Just last week, they learned what kind of smiting was in store for those who underestimate Davis

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New Orleans, fighting for their postseason lives, upset Golden State 103-100 behind Davis' 29 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks on April 7. This came after the Warriors reportedly talked some pretty arrogant trash before the contest. "They came out and said this was going to be a scrimmage game," Davis said. "We kind of took that personally."

Davis, of course, is the greatest 21-year-old the NBA has ever seen, either since LeBron James or ever, depending on your perspective.

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