Warriors Thrive with Dynamic Lineup Featuring Curry, Green, and Butler
At the UCLA men’s basketball court, nestled within the Mo Ostin Basketball Center, Warriors star Steph Curry remained hard at work after the team’s shootaround, long before their anticipated face-off against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday night.
Sharing the same hoop was Draymond Green, accompanied by Jimmy Butler, while the rest of the team practiced at the other end or on a side hoop. Curry, Green, and Butler form the essential core of the Warriors’ lineup. Though not surrounded by a galaxy of superstar starters, their teamwork is vital for maintaining or disrupting the Warriors’ harmony.
Since Jimmy Butler joined from the Miami Heat, his impact has been pivotal for the revival of Golden State. Curry’s energy has been revitalized, and Green has bolstered his case for Defensive Player of the Year by having a determined ally at his side.
The typical Warriors starting lineup, when complete, also features young talents Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody, both 22, who are making impressive strides of their own.
“We ensure opposing teams don’t view us as the weak links,” Podziemski asserted.
Their consistent performance backs this up. The Warriors boast an 18-5 record since Butler’s debut on February 8 in Chicago, with one loss occurring when Butler sat out to safeguard against injury. Whenever Curry, Podziemski, Butler, Moody, and Green have all commenced, they remain undefeated in those five frustrating encounters.
Their triumph over the Grizzlies in Memphis on Tuesday propelled the Warriors to the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, with a flawless 12-0 record using their primary lineup. This streak makes them arguably the top quintet in the NBA, surpassing the Oklahoma City Thunder’s previous 11-game streak from their own formidable unit.
Incorporating Butler alongside Curry has streamlined operations for the Warriors, especially benefiting Moody and Podziemski.
“Our on-court flow is fantastic,” Moody shared. “Playing through Jimmy and Steph creates numerous opportunities.”