Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has been known to deploy unique lineups, including the iconic “small-ball” rotation, primarily aligning with the team’s motion offense strategy. While this has yielded positive results in the past, the current structure of the team may require them to pivot and embrace a more traditional approach.
During a recent interview, Steve Kerr shared that the Warriors could be moving on from “small-ball” lineups, potentially embracing a rotation with a more traditional center to start the game. He said:
“I think we kind of know the guys who are going to start for sure. You [the media] know who those guys are. Then we have to build around that. Do we want to start big? Have a traditional 5. Or do we want to start like we did last year? Draymond at the 5, Moses and BP [Brandin Podziemski] in the backcourt. That was a really successful lineup. We could start that way, if we wanted, and still not have to play Draymond heavy minutes at the 5.”
“So it all depends on what the rotation pattern could look like. But that’s your key spot, whether we start Draymond at the 4 or the 5, and then there’s the domino effect from there.”
Kerr’s statement presents a very flexible outlook for the Warriors. With a versatile and intelligent veteran like Draymond Green in the rotation, Golden State could consider deploying several different lineups with him playing a pivotal role in the frontcourt.
Green has been listed as a forward, but he has racked up considerable experience playing at center in Golden State’s “small-ball” lineups. The Warriors enjoyed a lot of success with this rotation, as it maximized their scoring opportunities, while Green’s innate talent as a defender allowed him to take on challenging assignments, helping them maintain their defensive integrity.
While useful, the current roster doesn’t lend itself to an effective “small-ball” lineup, especially with Jimmy Butler, a primarily midrange scorer, as the secondary offensive option. Hence, leaning into the use of a traditional center in the starting lineup, as Steve Kerr mentioned, could be viewed more favorably.
On this note, Al Horford‘s recent arrival could be that much more significant. After a long summer of being linked with the former NBA champion, the Warriors finally succeeded in signing Horford to a multi-year deal, effectively adding a savvy and reliable veteran big man to their main rotation.
Inserting Horford into the starting lineup could be in Golden State’s best interests, though it makes the Warriors a considerably older unit. The veteran big man brings intelligence, defensive upside, and floor spacing to the team. By pairing Horford’s skills with Green’s defensive presence, along with Stephen Curry‘s scoring prowess, the Warriors could boast a formidable lineup.
Aside from Horford, Golden State also completed some key signings recently, following the successful re-signing of Jonathan Kuminga. With a more complete roster in place, the Warriors will look to emerge as a top team in a deep Western Conference.
