Last night the Golden State Warriors won Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to clinch the series 4-1 and move on to the NBA Finals. For some it feels like a new era, but in truth this team hasn’t changed all so much, after recovering from an injury crisis and making a shrewd trade they are now back at the top of the table. So what is it that makes this team so special, so unique? And what lessons can we take to enhance our coaching and our players and teams.
“Right people, right group, right chemistry and belief they have in him”
This is the Warriors first time in the finals since 2019, which had then seen them reach four in a row between 2015-2019, winning three of those finals to solidify themselves as the dynasty of the era. Only a miraculous comeback from LeBron’s Cleveland team when down 3-1 stopped them winning all four. This was unquestionably the best team in basketball, yet it was also unique because this success opened the door to a new era for basketball. Small ball basketball could actually win the title.
Long range three point shooting actually proved to be successful. We laugh now because long range three’s are all every team in the NBA goes with. The rise of analytics and the success which the Warriors had with their approach changed the game. Their success, like that of Barcelona under Pep Guardiola transformed the game. The coaching, the players, the style…it all changed. What was once seen as not possible became the blueprint for success. Players seen as too small now became the prototype.
So now the Warriors have reached 6 of the last 8 finals, the two they missed due to long term injuries mainly to Klay Thompson, along with losing Kevin Durant and for much of the time having Steph Curry almost single handily drive and lead the team. But those two years away from contention showed the culture of this team; they didn’t fire the coach Steve Kerr for “under-peforming”, they didn’t “rip up the team” and start again – two approaches far too many teams approach in todays world! Approaches which often lead to chaos, crisis and often further misery.
No, the Warriors stayed together, suffered together and during that time developed their next crop of young talents. Waiting for the time when Thompson would return, when Draymond was back fully fit and when one of their young talents would emerge and step up. Well, we are witnessing this evolution of the Warriors now, the beauty of their culture, their desire to develop and nurture talent and their willingness to be patient and ‘trust the process’.
The best player in the NBA
As much as I love LeBron James, I believe the best player in basketball right now is Steph Curry. LeBron has had a phenomenal individual season, for a 37 year old it’s been insane. But, his Lakers side have been woeful and his leadership and guidance of the team has to take some responsibility. And while in the past he has drove his teams to success, this time it’s been a lot harder. The Lakers have been a disaster with their trades and it’s showed tragically on the court. But while the Lakers have struggled, the Warriors have been incredible. And in large part it’s down to Steph Curry.
Drafted by the Warriors in 2009 as the 7th pick many doubted whether Curry could handle the NBA. Too small, too skinny, he was going to get eaten alive out there. And perhaps he might have in a different culture and environment. But in 2014 rookie head coach Steve Kerr was appointed.
Kerr was a very good player, winning championships in Chicago and San Antonio, playing under great coaches in Phil Jackson and Greg Popovich. He learnt a lot about greatness from Michael Jordan and about coaching and culture from his coaches. To say he was an ideal coach seems obvious now, but the Warriors decided to take a chance on him, to trust their young stars with this young rookie coach. And my goodness has it paid off!
Kerr embraced the talent and skill of Curry, made him the centrepiece of his team, gave him the platform to be him. He embraced who Curry was, gave him the freedom to play his game, and in doing so helped nurture the greatest shooter ever in the game, created a dynasty, and gave rise to a whole new revolution in the game. Not bad a for a coach on his first job.
As I said before, the comparisons to Barcelona and Pep Guardiola are eerily similar; first time head coach of a top side, bringing in a new way of playing and then transforming the game. And embracing a skilful, intelligent and technically excellent player, who although small was a great talent. Guardiola embraced Lionel Messi like many others would not, he built the team around him, gave him the responsibility and trust, and in doing so he nurtured the best player to ever play the game.
I do believe these moments of fortune matter, that the fate and opportunity of a coach and player coming together at the perfect time for both of them, enhances both in terms of their desire to be great and to take on their philosophy to a new level. Without the other would they be as good – I do not believe so. Like Messi and Pep, Curry and Kerr are perfect for each other. Maybe it's fate.
With confidence you have won before you have started
There’s a great video of Steve Kerr talking with Curry about confidence, about how great it is to see Curry trying shots, not being afraid to miss, and as a coach just enjoying the moment to watch a great player. It’s a brilliant example of great coaching, of instilling belief and trust in your player. It’s what the Warriors culture has been about. And it’s worked.
Steph Curry knows how good he is, he showcases such belief and arrogance in his play, he is enjoying himself every night, playing up to the fans and putting on a show every night. He is box office and he knows it. And he embraces it. Never fazed or pressured, he plays with freedom and belief. This is the culmination of a decade of developing his game in the NBA. The son of an NBA star, honing his skills as a kid – his grandad wouldn’t let him come in until he’d hit 100 free throws. Repetition, practice and the desire to get better. He was nurtured to be a great player. And Kerr provided the culture to allow him to showcase it to the world.
And what happens when you’re best player is on fire, when he looks confident?! Well, the rest of the group become inspired, they believe they can win and perform. Steph Curry sets the bar for the group, he drives them on, with a smile and a swagger. And his team come along for the ride, they step up. Curry is the heart of what they do.
I was listening to the ESPN Daily podcast, hosted by Pablo Torre, which I highly recommend, even if you don’t particularly like US sports it gives an insight into player development, coaching and culture which can provide great insight into the world of elite sports. Nick Freidell joined Torre to discuss the NBA playoffs. He was talking about the Warriors, about Curry and the team. And he made a very poignant remark about Andrew Wiggins. One which really sparked me to write this article.
At the Timberwolves he won Rookie of the Year but struggled after to show consistency, with some players questioning if he really had the mentality and fire in him to be a top NBA player. And look, it happens, many people can’t handle it, the pressure, the expectation, the relentless nature of elite sport. The workouts, the travel, the constant questioning of you and your character on talk shows, from your teammates and coaching staff. It takes a special mentality to rise above it, to deal with all of that. Perhaps Wiggins had the talent, but lacked the mindset.
And yet the Warriors saw something in him. They made a trade for him which surprised many people. You’ve lost Durant – a world class talent – and think you can replace him with Wiggins? Well, the Warriors once again proved people wrong, proved that their culture of developing talent can get the best out of players. At 27 years of age people are amazed at what Wiggins is doing – many didn’t believe it possible. But the Warriors culture is making it happen – players on this team improve, they get more confident, they are supported.
After over 100 games with the Warriors, Nick Freidall makes this great point; “Wiggins has shown that is never too late that it is never too late to change the narrative about someone career in the NBA”
The Warriors culture can be highlighted in this comment from Friedall, Wiggins has found the “Right people, right group, right chemistry and belief they have in him”
Wiggins found a team which needed him, but which he needed.
In terms of basketball Steve Kerr knew what he was getting and why he was so important for the team. After three seasons in Golden State it’s proving to be a great acquisition.
“I think the Wiggins trade is the key to all of this,” Kerr said of Golden State’s success. “I’ve said it many times probably, but we lost so many wing defenders after the [2018-19] season. Andre [Iguodala], Shaun Livingston, Kevin [Durant], Klay [Thompson] with the injury. Our whole wing core was wiped out defensively. The Wiggins trade allowed us to start to rebuild that wing defense," Kerr said. "Wiggs has just been so good, he’s gotten so much better over the last couple years. He’s a perfect fit next to our guys." Dierberger 2022
Let’s talk about culture
The word culture gets passed away so much these days. But what does it mean? Every place and team has a culture. It’s just what you want it be. The Warriors culture resonates with me so much because it is one of team and development, along with embracing skill, expression and creativity. Their players look like they are enjoying themselves, they are playing with freedom and not afraid to make mistakes. It’s a culture of togetherness and playing for each other. It’s great to watch.
And for a player it’s about getting better, developing your game and you as a person too. A player like Wiggins comes in with lots of talent, but one which many had written off, and he becomes an excellent player. The support the staff gives him, to help his game, along with the culture of the team as a whole, they are just loving life and basketball. What this Warriors staff does above all, is that is amazing at building confidence within their own players.
How does this relate to your coaching and environment? Personally I love taking on ‘project’s, players who perhaps aren’t valued highly, or who have been released from somewhere, deemed lacking in size or mentality. It’s the joy of coaching to help these players, to provide them the support and guidance, to challenge them when needed and to make sure they know they have someone who has their back, who cares about them becoming a better player and person. It might sound “fluffy” but this for me is what coaching is about. That idea of building confidence in players – it shouldn’t be a surprise. Isn’t our role to help players improve? Isn’t confidence a big part of that?
You have a player for a few months, a season or a few years, you are a big part of their journey, you have a responsibility to help them, to educate them and to inspire them to be a better version of themselves at the end. Not all of these kids will be elite footballers, but it doesn’t mean you can’t give them all your energy and support. That’s how I see the role as a coach.
And it seems the work that the Warriors with their young talents, or perhaps those who were deemed “lacking”, is develop those players to prove those doubters wrong.
The Warriors 2.0 looks to be a collection of top talent, where people are starting to say, “this is unfair”. Steph, Klay, Wiggins, Draymond Green and even the emergence of Jordan Poole has proven again that the Warriors do it different to most; many didn’t think Poole was even good enough to be an NBA player – he lacked confidence, didn’t fit, was missing shots – and now he is hitting them and looks to be a top talent. Amazing what a bit of coaching, a lot of love and being part of a culture of development can do for a player!
A decade ago this group of players would have been laughed out the room by many GM’s, deeming them incapable of being a winning team. 8 years later and this is the blueprint for success in the NBA. They have proved that coaching is still about development and nurturing talent, whatever the age.
The Warriors have changed the game.
Credit to Steve Kerr on the culture he has nurtured and developed.
A lesson to all on what team building and player development looks like.
The Whitehouse Address @M_R_Whitehouse
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