The Golden State Warriors made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason. Let’s break down Steve Kerr’s new-look rotation.
The Golden State Warriors were the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference last season. It’s hard to overstate the disappointment relative to expectations. They were the reigning champs with one of the most accomplished cores in NBA history. And yet, the No. 6 seed.
Stephen Curry and company managed to save face a little bit with a first-round “upset” of Sacramento, but the Warriors were swiftly dispatched by the No. 7 seed Lakers in the second round of the playoffs. It never really felt like the Warriors were equipped for a title run, which is concerning when one considers the amount of money being spent on the roster.
Several storms crossed Golden State’s path last season, starting with Draymond Green’s decision to punch Jordan Poole in a preseason practice. That set the tone for a rocky campaign, one highlighted by discontinuity unlike anything we’ve ever seen under Steve Kerr. The Warriors’ typically unstoppable offense felt stilted and off-balance, and a wave of injuries and absences didn’t help.
Now the Warriors are looking to turn over a new leaf and return to the hallowed halls of contention. With Green freshly re-signed on a $100 million contract and Poole subsequently given the boot, Golden State is hoping to leave last season in the past.
Here’s what the rotation should look like.
Golden State Warriors starting point guard: Stephen Curry
There’s no surprise here. Chris Paul’s arrival could complicate the specific “point guard” designation for Stephen Curry, but the idea of Golden State starting games super small with a Paul-Curry-Thompson backcourt does not feel sustainable. Even if that’s how Steve Kerr starts the season, one has to imagine Paul will get shuffled to the sixth man role sooner than later.
Now 35 years old, Curry probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves for aging so gracefully. He’s on the short list of players with a legitimate claim for the title of ‘Best NBA Player,’ even if Nikola Jokic probably has sole ownership of that title for the moment. He’s one of one — the single most headache-inducing defensive assignment imaginable and the engine behind the most unstoppable offense in NBA history.
Curry can bend defenses with his shooting and movement, but he’s also a competent table-setter who frequently dips inside and finishes around the rim better than most players his size. On defense, he’s far from the unmitigated disaster his critics would have you believe. In fact, he’s probably on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to 6-foot-3 guards.
He’s on track for another All-NBA season.
Primary backup point guard: Chris Paul
Chris Paul should get plenty of minutes alongside Curry and the expectation is that he will close a lot of games, even if he doesn’t start. The Warriors have always been top of the line when it comes to small ball, but saving the Paul-with-starters lineup for specific late-game scenarios feels like the smart move.
The Warriors have never really had a pick-and-roll playmaker of Paul’s caliber during Steve Kerr’s tenure with the team. He figures to add an interesting new dynamic to the halfcourt offense, and one has to imagine the preternaturally intelligent Paul will take quickly to Kerr’s complex system.