They're not the first team to use a small-ball attack, but the Warriors' cheat code lineup of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green has dominated the NBA and left opponents feeling hopeless and befuddled.
Stephen Curry says it’s impossible to copy the Warriors’ small lineup
“You won’t have the personnel,” he said.
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Many have tried emulating it, but they have failed. The reason, according to Curry, is simple.
"You can try to copy it, but you won't have the personnel," the reigning MVP said in a recent wide-ranging interview with ESPN The Magazine. "There isn't another Draymond Green, another Klay, another Andre. If you put your small-ball lineup next to ours, we like our chances.
“I call it the ‘Uh-Oh Lineup,’” Curry added. “I know when I get in with that lineup, something good’s about to happen. I have so many different options. That lineup, in one word, is about versatility. Everybody can do everything.”
The numbers are staggering. In the 64 minutes those five have shared the floor, the Warriors have outscored opponents by an absurd 69.9 points per 100 possessions, via NBA.com. That's by far the best number in the league and a mark nearly 28 points higher than anything we've seen over the past eight years.
It starts with Curry’s ability to knock down shots from anywhere on his team’s side of the half-court line. Add in Thompson’s marksmanship, Green’s improved jumper and brilliant passing, Barnes’ quick-first step and a little bit of everything from Iguodala, and the group is unstoppable offensively. That each of those five players can hold their own on the defensive end separates that unit from other explosive attacks.
The Pacers are one of the teams that have tried following the Warriors' lead. Whereas they were once a team that relied on size and strength, they now prefer to go with lineups heavy on shooting and space. Instead of playing a bruiser like David West at power forward they now play the 6'6, three-point-launching C.J. Miles.
The grouping of George Hill, Monta Ellis, Paul George, Miles and Ian Mahimni has worked against most teams. Their prowess is a major reason why the Pacers are 12-8. But on Tuesday night that unit was outscored by 16 points in an eight-point defeat. They were exposed.
So, how would Curry go about designing a scheme to slow down the Warriors’ best unit?
“Good luck,” he said to ESPN. “If you try to take stuff away, there’s always a counter, always another way to get a shot. You face our small-ball lineup, you’re gonna have a long night.”
Curry also talked about the difference between the Warriors and team viewed as the father of small-ball, the Steve Nash Suns. Curry believes the Warriors are different from Mike D'Antoni's Phoenix squads because their offense isn't completely centered around him.
“Ours has more player movement,” Curry said. “I give it up, move to the corner, set a couple of screens for guys, maybe get it back, or Draymond puts it on the floor, gets to the paint, makes a play. We have so many guys who can be playmakers. It’s so hard to guard.”
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