There is a bright spotlight on the Golden State Warriors superstar trio and upcoming young core. While Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman and Moses Moody all deserve attention as they will likely be at the forefront of Golden State’s success — do not underestimate what the veterans can bring to the table.
The Golden State Warriors can be sure of their veteran leadership this season as players like Andre Iguodala and Kevon Looney will make an impact.
With so much excitement building up for the Warriors’ rookies and the return of Thompson, it is easy to overlook how helpful the presence of names like Andre Iguodala, Otto Porter Jr. and Kevon Looney will be this season.
Most notably, Iguodala is going to bring the savvy defensive leadership that made him the 2015 Finals MVP. Though he has lost quite a bit of his athleticism, Iguodala is still an impactful defender and his vast knowledge of the Warriors’ offense will make him a seamless fit with whoever is on the floor next to him.
The same goes for Looney, who will not be as overtly impactful but his sheer size will help the Warriors throughout a long season. Looney is on the shorter end of the center spectrum at 6’9″ but his broad shoulders and core strength allow him to be a consistent rebounder and defensive anchor.
Looney and Iguodala, two players who have spent years with the franchise, will be a welcomed sight as the newer prospects stumble their way through their infancy. This is additional depth is a luxury the Warriors have not had in a few seasons and it will prove to be beneficial.
Lastly, the signing of Porter could reap rewards, as well. Porter is nothing more than an average 3-and-D contributor but his presence brings even more padding to the Warriors’ wing rotation. And, his ability to play off-ball makes him suitable next to the Splash Brothers.
The attention will rightfully be on the Warriors’ stars this season. However, do not forget to give the veterans some credit as they steer the ship behind the scenes.