Golden State Warriors embracing Strength in Numbers 2.0

There have been a few iterations of the Golden State Warriors over the last decade. Last season was the ‘solely Stephen Curry team’, where if he didn’t fire it almost guaranteed a Warrior loss. The 2019-20 team was straight garbage thanks to the injuries to Curry and Klay Thompson.

Prior to that, we had the Kevin Durant era where the Warriors were simply too talented to the point it was unfair. Then at the start of the Steve Kerr coaching era, where the Warriors won a championship and went 73-9 the following season, the organization prided itself on the adage ‘Strength in Numbers.’

Now, some years on, we may be witnessing a rebirth of that motto.

The Golden State Warriors’ victory over the Lakers was built fundamentally on a team aspect, a further growth on what they had displayed in the preseason.

Whilst the Lakers settled on fadeaway jumpers and step-back threes from Anthony Davis and Lebron James, the Warriors emphasized ball and player movement, finding the open teammate whether from beyond the arc or as a cutter to the rim.

Although it’s almost always how Steve Kerr has wanted this team to play, it’s really the first time we’ve seen this since his first two years as coach. There just wasn’t the personnel to play like this last season, you need high IQ, smart basketball players rather than athletic ones. Whilst the Durant era brought some of the best basketball we’ve ever seen in NBA history, there was this residing sentiment that if the offense was out of kilter, we could just throw the ball to perhaps the most skilled, unguardable offensive force in the history of the game.

Whilst four players still remain from the first act of ‘Strength in Numbers, there are new pieces that could potentially reprise old roles. Although Jordan Poole’s style of play is completely different to what Shaun Livingston’s was, like Livingston, he’s ready to give comfort to Kerr and fans as the point guard in the non-Curry minutes.

Damion Lee gives a little bit of what Leandro Barbosa used to give, a smart guard who knew where to be, when to cut to the rim, and who could hit an open shot. Nemanja Bjelica gives some Marreese Speights and/or David Lee vibes, the shooting ability combined with a playmaking dimension. As has been mentioned since he was first traded for, Andrew Wiggins plays the role of a slightly more talented Harrison Barnes.

But it’s not necessarily about the player comparisons, it’s about the style of play. What we’ve seen so from the Warriors is sustainable, it’s the reason why they overran the individualistic Lakers. It’s also a reason why fans should be excited and optimistic about where this team could be headed, just like they were with the first version of Strength in Numbers.