The Golden State Warriors starting lineup didn't become a blueprint for modern basketball overnight. Over the past fifteen years, the franchise transformed from a struggling playoff hopeful into a global dynasty by completely reinventing how basketball positions are used. Steve Kerr and previous coaching staffs didn't just plug good players into five spots; they dismantled traditional positional basketball to weaponize spacing, speed, and versatility.
Tracing this transformation reveals how tactical shifts turned role players into stars and defined entire eras of the National Basketball Association. Let's look at how the starting five evolved from gritty underdog groups into high-octane offensive machines.
The Foundation: The Mark Jackson Era and the Rise of the Splash Brothers
Before the historic championship runs, the Warriors needed to establish a core. In the early 2010s under head coach Mark Jackson, the team laid the groundwork by drafting Stephen Curry in 2009, Klay Thompson in 2011, and Draymond Green in 2012.
The typical 2013-14 starting five featured Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, David Lee, and Andrew Bogut. This group relied heavily on traditional big men inside while Curry and Thompson began pushing the boundaries of perimeter shooting. Observers at Bloomberg have shared their thoughts on this matter.
- Andrew Bogut anchored the paint as a elite rim protector and elite passer from the high post.
- David Lee provided double-double scoring and veteran post presence.
- Andre Iguodala brought perimeter defense and secondary playmaking, eventually transitioning to the ultimate sixth man role.
This squad reached the postseason and flashed immense potential, but the offense remained somewhat tethered to traditional low-post sets.
The Birth of the Death Lineup and the 73-Win Revolution
Everything changed ahead of the 2014-15 season when Steve Kerr took over as head coach. Kerr benched David Lee, inserted Draymond Green into the starting power forward spot, and unleashed a pace-and-space system that prioritized ball movement and three-point volume.
The championship-winning starting five of Curry, Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Green, and Bogut spread the floor wide open. Green's emergence as a playmaker at the five or four spot allowed Golden State to run pick-and-rolls that defenses couldn't solve.
By the 2015-16 season, the Warriors pushed this concept to its absolute limit, winning 73 games. When opponents went small, Kerr countered with the infamous Death Lineup—curry, Thompson, Iguodala, Barnes, and Green—which traded traditional height for elite switching defense, blistering speed, and relentless outside shooting.
The Superteam Era: Adding Kevin Durant
After falling short in the 2016 NBA Finals, the Warriors added former MVP Kevin Durant to the starting lineup, creating one of the most lethal offensive units in sports history.
The standard starting five featured Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and center Zaza Pachulia (later succeeded by JaVale McGee and DeMarcus Cousins in subsequent iterations).
- Kevin Durant added elite isolation scoring and unblockable jump shooting, making the team virtually unbeatable in late-game situations.
- Spacing reached maximum capacity, as defenses couldn't help off Curry or Thompson without giving Durant an open lane or clean look.
This lineup secured back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. Opposing teams had to completely abandon traditional defensive coverages, often resorting to switching everything or praying for cold shooting nights.
Rebuilding on the Fly: The 2022 Title and Transition
Following Durant's departure and major injuries to Thompson and Curry, the Warriors entered a transitional phase. They missed the playoffs in 2020 and 2021, forcing the front office to integrate younger lottery picks like James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody while leaning on Andrew Wiggins.
The 2021-22 championship lineup marked a stunning return to form. The core of Curry, Thompson, and Green was joined by Andrew Wiggins on the wing and Kevon Looney at center.
- Andrew Wiggins provided crucial perimeter defense on opposing team's best scorers and consistent athletic slashing.
- Kevon Looney offered elite offensive rebounding, screen-setting, and positional intelligence.
This iteration proved that the Warriors could win without a second traditional superstar by relying on championship pedigree, defensive discipline, and renewed depth.
The Modern Era: Youth, Reloading, and New Faces
As the original core aged, the starting lineup underwent further experimental shifts. The franchise brought in new rotational pieces like Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and veteran additions to manage regular-season workloads and maintain defensive intensity.
Today, the backcourt still revolves around Curry's gravity, but the supporting cast changes frequently based on matchups, injuries, and tactical needs. Modern NBA defenses require multi-positional wings and elite shooting at every spot, forcing Kerr to continuously tweak who takes the opening tip.
Common Mistakes When Analyzing Basketball Lineups
Fans and analysts often misinterpret how starting units function. Avoiding these analytical pitfalls helps paint an accurate picture of team success:
- Confusing starters with closers: The players who start the game aren't always the ones on the floor to finish tight games. Closing lineups matter far more in modern analytics.
- Ignoring net rating: Looking only at points scored ignores how many points a lineup gives up on the other end. Defensive versatility always dictates a unit's true value.
- Undervaluing screening gravity: A player like Stephen Curry creates open shots for teammates simply by running around screens, meaning a starter's individual box score often understates their impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the original members of the Warriors' championship core?
The foundation of the dynasty consisted of Stephen Curry (drafted in 2009), Klay Thompson (drafted in 2011), and Draymond Green (drafted in 2012).
What was the Death Lineup?
The Death Lineup was a small-ball unit featuring Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes (or later Kevin Durant), and Draymond Green. It overwhelmed opponents with speed, passing, and elite switching defense.
Why did Steve Kerr move Draymond Green into the starting lineup in 2014?
Moving David Lee to the bench and starting Green unlocked unmatched passing from the frontcourt, improved perimeter defense, and allowed the Warriors to play a faster, floor-spacing style that maximized Curry and Thompson's shooting.
How many championships did the Warriors win with Kevin Durant?
The Warriors won two consecutive championships with Kevin Durant in the starting lineup, capturing titles in 2017 and 2018 by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers both years.
