Golden State Warriors: New Mold of an NBA Champion
Ever since Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett jumped to the Celtics and created their “Big Three,” the NBA has seemed to have a certain formula for its champions.
For a while, it was the Lakers and the Celtics, the two historically great teams, battling it out — “Big Three” versus “Big Three.” Kobe, Pau, and Bynum versus Paul, Ray, and KG. Then Chris Bosh and LeBron James jumped to Heat, creating an even better “Big Three.” They immediately went to the Finals and established their own dynasty, making four straight Finals appearances and winning two of them.
The Spurs have their famous “Big Three.” The Cavaliers just made a new one. There was much talk about the Rockets searching for a third star to complete their “Big Three.” The prevailing narrative in the NBA was that a team had to have three superstars, or two super-duper stars and one fringe star — like the Thunder — to win a title.
But then, along came the Warriors.
A team with one star — Stephen Curry — and one fringe star — Klay Thompson — was not supposed to win the title. Their torrid ball movement and unselfish passing reminded many of us of the Spurs, yet the Spurs had three established All-Stars, were buttressed by Kawhi Leonard, an up-and-coming star, and Danny Green, a fantastic role player. The Warriors had one star surrounded by a bunch of good players.
Nov 11, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9), forward Tim Duncan (21, center) and guard Manu Ginobili (20) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 113-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Have they broken the “mold” of an NBA finals winner? Is there a new formula: one star surrounded by athletic, long-armed shooters that can switch everything defensively? Is the era of the “Big Three” over?
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Some people (I’m looking at you Charles Barkley) would say the “mold” has not been broken. The Warriors had a rather fortuitous run to the Finals — it’s true — evading the Thunder, Clippers, and Spurs and instead playing the Grizzlies with a hobbled Mike Conley and the Rockets without Patrick Beverley. Then came the Finals, with perhaps the most fortuitous matchup of all: a Cavaliers team without Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving (after the first game), a team that was so hobbled by the end that reserve Matthew Dellavedova was playing an essential role.
For Barkley, and others who likely make this argument, the Warriors were simply a very good team that happened to win the Finals; they were not a trailblazing powerhouse that is going to be sending ripples across the league for years to come. Yet I can already see the impact of the Warriors’ success with various roster moves already being made by team. Influence, I think, that they’re shifting the paradigm of an NBA champion. Like the Celtics before them, I think the Warriors have refined the “mold” of an NBA champion.
For one, look at the free agency of Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll. Once thought of as a role player, a journeyman wing, Carroll is now commanding an average salary of $12 million per year. During free-agency, teams were reported to have thrown out the name “Draymond Green” the most often, not because they believed they could sign him but because they wanted players in his similar “mold.”
Feb 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) drives against Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) in the first quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Much of the Warriors’ success was predicated upon their defensive versatility, and Green was the epitome of this: a strong, quick, previously-thought-of-as-undersized player. Carroll had a great contract year season, but his increased valuation certainly came with the idea that he could play a versatile role similar to Green, a role previously not as vital as it is thought to be now.
Everywhere teams are moving to become more versatile, and this year’s free agency saw versatile defensive players such as Jae Crowder and DeMarre Carroll get big contracts. Interestingly enough, two of the biggest up-and-coming “stars” — Leonard and Jimmy Butler, both signed to huge contracts in the offseason — are elite manifestations of this mold; neither would be considered an elite individual scorer, but both are incredible defensively and very versatile, so they are valued extremely highly.
The Warriors’ success with a supporting cast of Thompson, Andre Iguodala, and Harrison Barnes — all extremely versatile players, in this mold — has sent ripples through the league; players like this are now valued much more highly.
The Warriors had a historic season — they finished with one of the best records of all-time, Steve Kerr was the best rookie head coach ever, and Curry broke the three-point record again — and their season will be felt for years to come. Because when one team achieves such tremendous success, other teams will try to emulate it, giving us a new archetype of an NBA champion.