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Golden State Warriors must replicate their 2014-15 system for success

By Tony Pesta

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is presented with the 2014-2015 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Trophy prior to the start of Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at ORACLE Arena on May 5, 2015 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is presented with the 2014-2015 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Trophy prior to the start of Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at ORACLE Arena on May 5, 2015 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors created a trend back in 2015 that led them to their first title. They must replicate this system in order to win again.

Though the Golden State Warriors have always kept their core trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the supporting cast surrounding them has undergone some drastic changes throughout the years.

Everything began with Harrison Barnes acting as the third option offensively. He was an adequate scorer who could catch-and-shoot at a reasonable rate and create shots for himself in times of need. Soon, Barnes would be upgraded for Kevin Durant – pushing the Warriors to heights the league had never seen before.

Losing Durant in free agency dropped the Dubs from out of the clouds. They plummetted, falling from five-time Western Conference champions to dead last in the NBA standings. While the franchise has done a good enough job scrambling to pull some pieces together – they have to accept that the days of overwhelming opponents with KD are gone.

If they can’t replicate their dominance with Durant, they will need to recreate the system they had with Barnes. This means emphasis will be placed on newly acquired Andrew Wiggins to step up and be the third scoring option.

This shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the former No. 1 overall pick. Although he has yet to live up to his All-Star projections, Wiggins has always been a steady scorer. For his career, he hovers around 20 points per game on 44.1 percent shooting.

The Warriors will be a force if Wiggins can act as a complimentary piece to the Splash Brothers. Where they will be lacking is on defense where the absence of Andre Iguodala has yet to be addressed. Perhaps this void can be filled via the 2020 NBA Draft but it looks as if they will have to accept being a more vulnerable team than they were in the past.

Above all else, the reigns must be handed to Curry again. He has taken a backseat in recent years to accommodate Durant but the time is now for the two-time MVP. We will see Curry unleashed for the first time since his 2016 run and this is something that should excite every fan.

Harking back to their old system from 2015 can help deliver them another championship. Handing the keys to Curry and allowing him full freedom to play off his teammates will put the Warriors in a prime position to win a title.

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