No doubt, the importance of Baron Davis to the Warriors was hammered home in the past week. With Davis playing, the Warriors defeated Detroit, Denver, the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas. Without him, they lost to Portland.

But if you’re making a list of players the Warriors can’t do without, Stephen Jackson shouldn’t take a backseat to anyone. Davis included.

Jackson, acquired in the eight-player trade with Indiana in mid-January, has been significantly better than expected and/or advertised. In less than two months, Jackson has become one of coach Don Nelson’s favorites, displaying the kind of versatility and playmaking Nelson loves.

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We’re going to take it a step further: Jackson is the single biggest reason why the Warriors are making a push.

Obviously, Davis has been solid in his four games since returning from knee surgery, but Jackson deserves some of the credit for that. It’s clear Davis respects Jackson, and genuinely believes he’s got a running mate he can trust. He should.

Of all the terms you’ve heard to describe Jackson, “winner” likely hasn’t been one of them. But facts are facts, and the fact is that Jackson has more NBA credibility than any Warrior.

Davis, along with the rest of the team, would be wise to recognize that. Jackson’s credentials are legit. He was a starter on the San Antonio Spurs’ championship team in 2003 and he was the Indiana Pacers’ leading scorer in the playoffs in 2005.

Jackson has played in 43 NBA playoff games which, is precisely 43 more than Jason Richardson, Mickael Pietrus, Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins combined. And in case you haven’t noticed, Davis is a little playoff-rusty these days, not having played in the posteason since 2004.

It’s easy to point out that the Warriors have thrived since Davis’ return from injury. But don’t forget, Jackson recently missed four games because of a toe problem and the Warriors went 0-4 in those games.

For the first time as a Warrior, Davis has a teammate with league-wide standing. True, former Warrior Derek Fisher had some championship rings, but let’s face it, Fisher wasn’t and isn’t in Davis’ class as a player.

Jackson is.

Jackson has become a consistent and needed scorer for the Warriors, averaging 17 points per game since the trade. He’s also the team’s No. 2 playmaker behind Davis, averaging nearly seven assists over the past nine games.

He’s one of the team’s best foul shooters and its best defender against talented shooting guards and small forwards. Jackson gets a little careless with the ball occasionally and too frequently doesn’t get back on defense after a miss or turnover, but without a doubt he’s the Warriors’ biggest gamer.

And a player they can’t do without.

Matt Steinmetz is the NBA insider for Warriors telecasts on Fox Sports Net.