The Golden State Warriors: A Dynasty Built on Three-Point Shooting (2024)

By Fan Arch August 07, 2024 02:14

Photo by Mark J. Terrill/AP

Once a team lingering in the shadows of NBA mediocrity, the Golden State Warriors have redefined their legacy and carved out a dynasty built on the foundation of revolutionary three-point shooting. Transitioning from a period of underachievement, the introduction of a perimeter-based offensive strategy marked the beginning of a new era in the early 2010s. Pioneered by the sharp coaching minds of Mark Jackson, followed by Steve Kerr, the Warriors transformed into an offensive juggernaut, prioritizing floor spacing and an unprecedented volume of three-point shots.

This shift didn't just change the team; it redefined the basketball landscape, challenging conventional strategies and setting new benchmarks for success in the league. At the heart of this seismic shift were iconic players like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant, whose exceptional shooting abilities tore through defenses and set records. The Golden State Warriors' dynasty is not just a tale of victories and championships; it's a story of innovation, adaptation, and the profound impact of embracing the three-point shot at the core of their identity.

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Early Years and Transition

The Golden State Warriors, who in the 2000s had long been considered a cellar-dwelling franchise for over two decades, finally began their climb up out of mediocrity by early 2011. The team began to adopt a more perimeter-based play style under new head coach Mark Jackson. However, the May 14th hiring of Steve Kerr in 2014 officially made the next dynamic phase. A 3-point shooter during his playing career, Kerr saw 3-point shooting as a cornerstone of the Warrior's offense.

They changed their offensive attack almost completely, prioritizing more floor spacing and a heavy dose of 3-point shooting. That was not just a case of them being ahead of the curve stylistically, but analytics also confirmed that three-pointers were more efficient than long shots inside twos. The Warriors exploited this, leading to them taking many more three-pointers per game. As of the 2017 season, that team averaged nearly 30 attempts, while years before, just a few had used around a league average high-20s for isolated shots per game.

The Small-Ball Revolution

The Warriors were also trendsetters in inventing the "small-ball" lineup, with five players on the floor capable of making a shot from distance. It provided more space and exploited match-up problems, causing defenses to trip over feet to find ways to enter another team's style. This philosophy was successful in their title-winning seasons, with the team consistently outpacing and outgunning the big men on traditional half-court teams.

Tools of the Trade

The Franchise Player: Stephen Curry

Any conversation about the Warriors' unparalleled shooting from long-range starts with Stephen Curry. Curry, who many consider the best shooter in history due to his ability on pull-up jumpers from 35 feet and beyond, has changed how basketball is played. He has set an NBA record each year in addition to the one for most 3-pointers made in a single season, and he became the fastest ever to reach 2,000 three-pointers. With a quick release and deep range, this next-gen shooting is an absolute nightmare for defenders. It's also become the focal point of Golden State's offense.

The Silent Assassin Klay Thompson

Meanwhile, Curry's backcourt mate, Klay Thompson, has been another huge part of the Warriors' shooting success. He is one of the best in 3-point shooting and is likely to have multiple games with at least 10 three-pointers. Thompson has such an offensive impact that no other can attest. His catch elite catch-and-shooting ability, combined with his screens and off-ball movement, enhances the Warriors' spacing even more than clear space for himself. Thompson is also one of the most complete two-way players in all basketball between his scoring ability and aptitude on defense.

Kevin Durant: The all-around hooper

2016 Kevin Durant joined the Warriors to give them even more dominance. Durant is a bonafide scorer who can consistently shoot from anywhere on the court, especially beyond the arc. Due in part to his height and shooting ability, he can create shots over anyone, a vital bit of escapology that goes a long way when the game is on the line. That alone did more than just add another super scorer to the lineup; it also helped ensure that Golden State could continue scoringat a high level, even with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson facing loaded defenses.

Impact on the NBA Landscape

Changing the Game

The impact the Warriors' success has had on their league extends so far in part because of how they forced NBA teams to look at what can be done offensively. Their obsession with 3-point shooting has helped create a trend in the league toward perimeter play. Teams are more focused than ever on surrounding their stars with good shooting, which has manifested in a rush of three-point attempts across the NBA. By 2021, the average NBA team was shooting over 35 three-pointers, dramatically higher than a decade earlier.

Challenges and Adaptations

Opponent Defensive Adaptations

The level of desperation became evident when teams transitioned from gimmicky lineups that doubled down on inefficiency in small samples to being serious about defending the three. As such, teams began emphasizing defending the perimeter much higher, using drop coverages and other defensive schemes that encouraged contested three-point shots over uncontested ones. That meant turning on screens, flying out to shooters, and even running "box and one" schemes to sell out against Curry or Thompson.

Injuries and Roster Changes

The Warriors have dealt with injuries, too. In the 2019 NBA Finals, GSW was without both Durant and Thompsondue to injuries. When top shooters are sidelined, instead of hoisting up triple after triple, the Warriors have had to revamp their style on the fly, more mid-range looks, lots of close-in stuff in the paint

The Golden State Warriors have constructed one of the most successful teams in NBA history due to their outlier mentality towards what three-point shooting can do, showing other basketball organizations worldwide that if they want to win, they start sinking those deep shots. Led by stars such as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant, Golden State has been one of the best teams in the league and has changed how everybody plays. Their allegiance to the long ball will likely continue as they battle adversity and settle into what comes next, part of who they are. The essence of the Warriors as a legendary shooting dynasty will live on, inspiring generations of players and teams all around basketball in their quest for greatness.

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