The Golden State Warriors are entering the 2023-24 NBA season with a lot of questions and perhaps even more potential solutions. At the forefront of these questions lies head coach Steve Kerr's challenge to establish a consistent starting lineup, a task that becomes more complicated as he evaluates multiple positions and player combinations throughout training camp.
Shifting Sands in the Starting Lineup
According to Steve Kerr, the right combination of players isn’t determined solely by who plays the best individually, but rather by how well they function as a unit. "The starting lineup is going to have to be dependent not only on the first five fitting, but the second fitting as well. We've got a lot of work to do to figure out lineups. All the guys can do is compete, play their ass off," he stated. This collaborative approach underscores the competitive landscape of the Warriors' roster.
One of the most scrutinized positions is the shooting guard spot previously held by Klay Thompson. With Thompson's departure, the competition is fierce. Brandin Podziemski, De'Anthony Melton, and Buddy Hield are all vying for this critical role. Kerr’s perspective is holistic: "There is competition across the board. It's not as simple as, 'Who is going to be the 2?' It's got to be -- 'Who is going to be the 5? Who's the 4?' We know that Steph is the 1. But what's the combination?"
Battles in the Frontcourt
The frontcourt positions are equally contentious. Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson-Davis are both competing for the center position. Both bring unique strengths to the table, and Kerr's decision here will likely hinge on the overall chemistry they can build with the rest of the starters and key bench players. Additionally, Draymond Green appears likely to retain his position, while Kyle Anderson offers the flexibility of playing as a small-ball center.
Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins are also competing for a spot in the frontcourt, bringing their own set of skills and experience. These battles for starting positions aren’t just about filling slots; they’re about finding the subtle intricacies that make a powerhouse team function seamlessly.
High-Volume Offense
When it comes to offense, the Warriors have a reputation for their long-range shooting, having secured the fourth spot in the league for 3-point attempts last season. Kerr envisions maintaining, if not enhancing, that aggressive shooting strategy. "I want Wigs shooting six, seven 3s. I want Brandin, I want Moses, I want De'Anthony -- I want to be a high volume shooting team," said Kerr. Stephen Curry, the perennial All-Star and cornerstone of the franchise, echoed this sentiment: "You've got a guy who's a connector and can put the ball on the floor, create like BP, and obviously me and BP started a couple times last year. You've got Buddy who can shoot, who spaces the floor, and is a veteran. We've got a lot of options."
With Curry assured of his starting position, the spotlight turns to the complementary players who will surround him. The Warriors are looking to maintain their edge in 3-point shooting, despite Klay Thompson's previous eight to ten 3-point attempts per game being up for grabs.
A New Chapter
This season, for Kerr and the Warriors, isn’t just another year—they see it as a transformative period. "This feels like a new beginning for us, whereas last year felt like an extension of who we already were. It gives us a chance to reinvent ourselves a little bit," Kerr commented. His vision extends beyond merely placing the best players on the court; it’s about building a new identity from the ground up.
Last season, the Warriors experimented with 27 different starting lineups. This season, they aim to strike a balance between exploration and stability. "It's easier when you know your starting five and you know your first four guys off of the bench. Way easier as a coach knowing that. But we don't have that. So let's turn that into a positive and turn it into competition ... let's establish our identity out of that competition," Kerr noted.
As the Warriors build toward the future, the blend of old and new faces, combined with Kerr’s strategic insights, sets the stage for an exciting season ahead. Whether the reconfigured lineup will reinvigorate their championship aspirations remains to be seen, but the groundwork for a new era in Golden State basketball is clearly being laid.