Golden State Warriors: Five Key Moves that Helped Build a Powerhouse
By Dan Fappiano
Mar 2, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) drives past Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Johnson (7) during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
5.) Signing a great core of veterans
The veteran core of the Golden State Warriors — Andre Iguodala, Marreese Speights, Leandro Barbosa, and Shaun Livingston — is very good and has added a lot of depth to this team. Arguably, the team might not be as successful as they are without them.
Iggy is a floor general, and while he doesn’t excel in any one thing specifically, he is good at everything. Speights has cooled off of late but there was a stretch where he literally carried the team to wins. Livingston and Barbosa are both great back up guards in their own right and they provide the second unit with a spark.
The Warriors have dealt with inconsistencies in back up point guards like Nate Robinson and Jarrett Jack, but for the most part aside from injury both players have been pretty consistent in their game. Barbosa has been playing pretty well lately and overall, the 2nd unit is better with them involved. And while David Lee has been hampered by injuries this season, he has been critical to the Warriors’ success.
While the starting five of Curry, Thompson, Barnes, Green, and Bogut is one of the best in the league, it is the vets who form the second unit that keep this team together.
The Golden State Warriors have gotten out to a 46-12 record this season — the best in the West. Their journey was a long path and took many years of rebuilding. These moves helped forge the team you see dominating the NBA today.
They are a force to be reckoned with this year and barring injury, a surprising trade or key loss in free agency, they should be dominant for years to come.