Taking a look at the Warriors’ starters

As we enter the last month of the offseason with training camp just around the corner, we’re not far from the start of the regular season.

The Golden State Warriors have high aspirations for next season, eager to surpass last season’s first round playoff exit. So, let’s assess their squad and see where they rank in relation to the rest of the league. This week, we tackle the starting lineup.

For now, the projected starting lineup features Stephen Curry at point guard, Klay Thompson at shooting guard, Andre Iguodala at small forward, David Lee at power forward, and Andrew Bogut at center.

Those starters played 817:24 together and outperformed their opponents to a tune of plus-16 per 100 possessions last season. They were ranked “just” No.12 in offensive rating, but No.4 in defensive rating. What surprises me here the most is that despite the slow and inefficient offense, the Warriors were still one of the top starting units in the league last season.

But, what about next season?

The Warriors’ new head coach Steve Kerr has already showcased some interesting new tactics on the offensive end. He is said to be employing a triangle-style offense, which will feature lots of off-screen cuts. The offense should be more fluid and the players will benefit from more open shots and easier attacking options than the Mark Jackson “isolation” play.

What will be more interesting, however, is the production on the defensive end. Jackson was credited with changing the team’s defensive culture, and fostering an importance of defense within the team. With most of the former coaching staff gone, will we see a drop defensively? Personally, I’ve prepared myself for the possibility, but I’m hoping that the offensive improvements will overcome the (potential) defensive slide.

The Warriors’ starting lineup has a good blend of offensive and defensive players. In Bogut and Iguodala, the Warriors have two of the best defensive players at their positions in the league. Both can even contribute on offense as facilitators and scorers, and are not black holes offensively.

The Splash Brothers continue to improve each year, so don’t be surprised if they outdo their three-point attempts from last season (1150). I would like to see Thompson improve as a ballhandler next season, and play more minutes as the primary playmaker while Curry is used as an off-screen shooter. New assistant coach Ron Adams has been working to improve Curry’s defense, something that has always been a plight in his impressive career.

Finally, David Lee. Lee is the Warriors’ Mr. Consistent. Averaging close to 20 points and 10 rebounds per night, the Warriors know what they are getting from Lee night in and night out. Despite the jokes surrounding his defense, Lee is a very good defender within the team scheme. Let’s hope he proves the doubters wrong, as he was consistently included in trade talks during the offseason.

With this starting lineup and the new coaching staff, I see the Warriors’ starting lineup as top three in the league.

Alongside teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls, the Warriors’ starting unit is a force to be reckoned with. We might see a decline defensively, but the improvements on the offensive end should be more than enough to cover.