The Golden State Warriors franchise is one of the most accomplished in NBA history. Their 6 NBA titles are tied for 3rd all-time with the Chicago Bulls, as the franchise has a historical 6-4 Finals record over 10 Finals appearances. Prominent names such as Stephen Curry, Wilt Chamberlain, and Rick Barry are all top superstars that are synonymous with the NBA franchise. These guys were tremendous in bringing championship success and individual glory to the team every year they competed in the Warriors’ jersey.
We recently saw how the Los Angeles Lakers starting lineup was formed with all-time great players, but how do the best Warriors players rank among each other in each decade? By narrowing down the list of the greatest players to ever play for the iconic Golden State Warriors franchise, it is clear to see how these legends’ careers panned out for them. Here is a starting five of players that managed to play for the Warriors, taking one player from the 1980s decade, 1990s decade, 2000s decade, 2010s decade, and 2020s decade.
The starting lineup will include a point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center, with at least one of each player coming from the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s decades. The names that we all expect will be on there, but there might be some surprising inclusions that most might not be ready for.
Point Guard
Stephen Curry (2020s Decade)
Decade Statistics: 28.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG
The undisputed greatest point guard in Warriors history, Stephen Curry, has played every season of his career with the Warriors. The superstar is not only a terrific offensive player but one of the most unselfish players of all time. A 4-time NBA champion, Curry has accomplished everything in the NBA at the highest level, including NBA titles, MVP awards, and scoring titles.
Curry is also the greatest shooter of all time and has changed the game for the foreseeable future, considering how teams live and die by the three-pointer. The 4-time champion has been considered undersized at 6’2”, but his shooting ability has basically hacked the game for how easily he can generate points. At the helm of the Warriors’ starting lineup that dominated the NBA from 2015 onwards, Stephen Curry is the easiest selection for his position.
Shooting Guard
Baron Davis (2000s Decade)
Decade Statistics: 20.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 8.1 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG
One of the most popular players in Golden State Warriors franchise history, Baron Davis captivated fans every night with his scoring ability and explosive athleticism. Averaging 20 PPG over the 2000s decade with the Warriors, Davis was critical to making Golden State one of the most exciting franchises at the time. At 6’3” and 209 lbs, his physicality also gave him an advantage to score in the lane anytime he wanted.
Davis was a critical part of the “We Believe” Warriors that shocked the world by defeating the first-seed Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs in 2007. Davis was the leader of that team, and his scoring ability was certainly fun to watch. Considering how Baron was such a force on offense and an iconic figure during the 2000s decade, he starts alongside Curry in the backcourt.
Small Forward
Chris Mullin (1990s Decade)
Decade Statistics: 21.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG
An all-time great player who is mainly known as a Warriors legend above anything else, Chris Mullin was part of an iconic Warriors side that was scoring 120 points per game without the presence of the three-point shot. That wasn’t because the 3-point shot did not exist, but rather the fact that teams did not emphasize that style of offense during the 1990s.
Chris Mullin is a Hall of Famer because he is, without a doubt, one of the best shooters of his generation. The sharpshooting small forward averaged 21.1 PPG over the 1990s decade and was a consistent force as a two-way perimeter player. Out of all the small forwards that could have started for the Golden State Warriors franchise since 1980, Chris Mullin is the best possible fit alongside Stephen Curry and Baron Davis.
Power Forward
Kevin Durant (2010s Decade)
Decade Statistics: 25.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 5.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG
There is no doubt that Kevin Durant was going to always start at the other forward position alongside Chris Mullin. One of the top 20 talents of all time and arguably a top-five scorer of all time, Kevin Durant only played three years and Golden State but certainly made his impact felt by winning two NBA championships out of three straight Finals appearances.
Despite playing alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in the offense, Kevin Durant was by far the best player on the team and the most dominant offensive player. As a matter of fact, it can be argued that Kevin Durant was also their most dominant perimeter defender over those three years as well. A two-time Finals Mvp with the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant certainly added to Stephen Curry’s legacy by gifting him two NBA championships in 2017 and 2018.
Center
Joe Barry Carroll (1980s Decade)
Decade Statistics: 19.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.7 BPG
Had Wilt Chamberlain played in the 1980s for the Warriors, he would have been the starting center without a doubt. But Joe Barry Carroll has to be the starting center for the all-time great Golden State Warriors lineup when considering what he did during the 1980s decade. The 7-foot star averaged 19.4 PPG and 8.1 RPG over his stint with Golden State, which started in 1981 and lasted until the 1988 season.
Joe Barry Carroll made his only All-Star Team appearance in 1987 with the Warriors when he posted averages of 21.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.5 BPG over 33.6 MPG of play. The center was a capable scorer down low, was solid from the free-throw line, and was always a threat to block shots and rebound. His presence is needed on a team that will space the floor constantly.
Is This A Championship Team?
Clearly, this team is stacked from the top of the lineup until the end, where Joe Barry Carroll brings his All-Star qualities down low, and his scorers spread the floor. Curry is the leader of the team, using his off-ball movement to wreak havoc on defenses and create shots for his teammates as well. Kevin Durant is the best player on the team, but he is the type to defer at times and will let his teammates eat. The result? A ton of points scored for this Warriors side.
Curry’s three-point shooting complements Mullin’s and Durant’s very well, especially when Davis is attacking the rim and taking over ball-handling duties to allow for off-ball movement. Remember, Davis, averaged over 8 APG over his stint with the Warriors and is more than capable of leading his team in assists. Barry Carroll, down low, is also a capable shot-blocker and rebounder, which will make this team complete when he decides to impose his will.
How many games would this team win per season? At the very least, they would win a minimum of 60 games per season. With their level of elite scoring, teams will struggle to contain them on defense because if one player goes cold, there are a few more to overcompensate. With a minimum of 60 wins per season, the Warriors’ all-time starting lineup would finish with a top-3 seed in the Western Conference every year and have the best chance to make the NBA Finals. With everything in their favor in terms of home-court advantage and superstar players, this starting lineup would win at least 4-6 NBA championships.
The biggest weakness might be in their size because Durant is not a natural power forward and has been a small forward for most of his career. Of course, it can be discussed whether the games will be played in 2020 rules or rules in any other area because it can go either way. With 2020 rules, this team might win 65-70 games per season on average. That is incredible, considering how many Hall of Fame shooters there are alongside two other capable All-Stars. In the 1980s or 1990s era, it will be tougher, but this team could win at least 60 games per season as their shooting is their greatest strength.
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