The Golden State Warriors are best in the NBA at unlocking unseen potential
The Golden State Warriors haven’t necessarily transformed their roster by signing free agents.
While the additions of Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr. have been crucial to their success this season, the Warriors have developed a handful of talented players that were castoffs elsewhere. The two that immediately come to mind are Damion Lee and Gary Payton II.
The Golden State Warriors have transitioned a couple of unforeseen players into rotational studs, a true showing the franchise’s career-changing culture.
While one may look at starting guard Jordan Poole as well, he wasn’t necessarily unseen talent. Poole was the team’s first-round pick a couple of seasons back. He was always projected to be a high-level scorer.
It’s Lee and Payton II that have made the difference for the team’s second unit. One could even point to how the team used Mychal Mulder last season. We could also look back to see how they rejuvenated the careers of Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks.
However, Lee and Payton are by far the two key players that prove the Dubs culture unlocks potential.
Lee is averaging 11.9 points per game, the second-most of his career, but it’s his most on a title-contending team, having topped 12 per game when a main offensive option on the 15-win Warriors.
Lee, who spent time in Atlanta, is shooting over 48 percent from the field and over 43 percent from deep.
He has a 6.7 net rating this season and a 62.2 true shooting percentage, the fourth-best on the team. His efficiency has gone to the next level, and it’s because of the looks he’s getting. Over 65 percent of his attempts are when open or wide-open per NBA.com.
The same improvements can be said to an even greater extent for Gary Payton II, a player making highlight reel after highlight reel for the Warriors. They even have a play set up that’s gifted him many alley-oop dunks.
Payton isn’t just a dunker. He’s far more than that. Payton is an All-NBA-caliber defender, and he’s also a terrific shooter. After spending time with three different teams, Payton signed with the Warriors at the end of last season. He played ten games.
It wasn’t even known if Payton was going crack the 15-man roster. But, he did, and the Warriors have made the most of it. Payton is averaging 6 points per game and shooting 69 percent from the field and 50 percent from deep.
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The 28-year-old is finding his home in Golden State, as is Lee. Those two have proven what many already know — the Warriors culture can almost single-handedly revive careers. They unlock the highest potential in players that buy into it.