How the Warriors New Big Trio Offers a Hole-Less Threat
The Golden State Warriors made their move right before the deadline, and with their stars nearing the end of their career, the front office has done what most fans wanted to see: go all in, now. With the addition of a 2024 NBA Champion, the original ‘Unicorn’ Kristaps Porzingis, the former New York Knicks fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the team looks more promising. Though they will still suffer with the absence of Jimmy Butler, who tore his ACL a month ago, they are well-positioned to make a push for another title. The main reason for optimism should be how well each star complements the other, and that’s what I will analyze in this article.
Golden State’s star, Stephen Curry, relieves pressure from all his teammates offensively. The four-time NBA Champion’s reliability, consistency, and leadership are some qualities that make him a formidable weapon, even at 37 years old. Curry’s weakness, primarily due to his height, comes on the defensive side. It’s an undeniable challenge for the future Hall of Famer to exert the effort he once did on the court, and defending is as much a battle of effort as anything else. However, both of his other two teammates happen to excel in this area that Curry lacks, and though guarding the perimeter may not be their forte, they can smartly hedge out and drop back in the paint.
As a probable second option, Porzingis gives Golden State a center that can finish inside with ease, but isn’t limited to a one-sided game. His versatility to stretch the floor can allow Steve Kerr to throw various game plans at his opponents. Inside, he covers off a previous lack of size, giving the Warriors the ability to match up better with bigger centers. It’s worth noting that Porzingis has often struggled to find his footing early on with a new team, as he’s posted better numbers in the following seasons, except for his stint in Boston. Now having ample experience with 10 years on the world’s biggest stage, and combined with the fact that he will play alongside two natural-born leaders, it’s hard to imagine this being an issue.
The glue guy, Draymond Green, doesn’t fill up the stat sheet as he used to anymore. Accepting a lesser role in-game, the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year values as a voice and as a teacher to Golden State’s younger bunch can still not be overstated. Maybe Kerr needs to involve Green in specifically designed actions to get him more involved, but the former Defensive Player of the Year always serves as a tone-setter. He always finds ways to get his teammates going, whether that’s through his own passing or through his directions. In a sport that can oftentimes become a battlefield of mental prowess, Green is the engine of Golden State’s vehicle.
