The “Death Star Lineup”
Time for the lone Warriors element of this preview. It’s something that couldn’t be avoided, both in terms of witnessing what should be the most overpowering offensive lineup ever created and the fact that the LA Clippers get their first crack at it, albeit in a preseason setting.
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were tough enough to stop last season. They’re a pivotal reason why the Warriors went 73-9 in the regular season and they’re the two best three-point marksmen in the league, for their range, quantity, efficiency, and, in the case of Curry, absurd handles and shot creation.
Now, Kevin Durant has been added to the mix. With defenses having to prioritize their top target between Curry and Durant (possibly taking the latter for his shot creation against taller defenders and his post game), they’re still left with one of the two if they get open, and then Thompson as the third man.
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When Thompson is the third man, the ball is shifting around freely, and the three best shooters and two of the best scorers in the game are in one lineup, trying to cover them all is an immensely difficult task. There’s going to be someone left open, and they’ll need less than a half a second to fire from deep.
Then, when Durant shifts to power forward and Draymond Green slides to center as a tremendous passer, capable three-point shooter and exceptional, versatile defender, the Warriors’ “Death Star Lineup” explodes. Yes, they lost some depth and they lost Andrew Bogut, but the Warriors’ (and the league’s) best lineup just upgraded and they still have enough pieces around them.
The offense will speak for itself, and it’s an unseen instance when the best offensive teams adding the best scorer is a seamless fit. There are too many positives to their potential to get into now.
Of course, it’s only preseason. Teams will be experimenting with rotations, lineups, and playing their younger guys more often. The Warriors obviously won’t be at their best yet and they’ll experience growing pains like any revamped team would.
But, regardless, the LA Clippers will have a challenge off the bat in their preseason opener.
Next: Key observations from the Clippers' open practice
They’ll need to make the most of their size with Griffin and Jordan, and do their best against a new-look Warriors team that will still need time to adjust to playing together. There’s plenty to watch for.