For the longest time, there was a certain style played in the NBA that allowed teams to flourish in the post. But according to former NCAA champion Raymond Felton, the Golden State Warriors broke all the rules and changed the league when they started winning on the court.
Before they started their dominant run in the NBA, the Warriors were really never considered as contenders in the early 2010s. Back then, All-Star forward LeBron James pushed the league towards the player empowerment movement by joining Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade to play for the Miami Heat. But after Golden State got its core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, wheels started turning in favor of the franchise.
The Dubs’ emphasis on three-point shooting steered the NBA away from relying on big men and athletic forwards to do their damage under the post. Add a faster pace and positionless basketball to the mix, and the Warriors were able to unleash a devastating offense on the league. The use of small ball and a versatile defensive anchor in Draymond Green also allowed Golden State to be more quick on the offensive end, resulting in the success they enjoyed during their peak.
Even with the Warriors experiencing a regression recently, the impact they had on the NBA can’t be denied. Now, almost every team has employed facets of how they play on both ends of the court, leading to great results for these franchises.
How the Golden State Warriors Changed NBA Basketball, According to Raymond Felton
The Warriors’ impact on how the game is played has been acknowledged numerous times over the past few years. Just recently, former NCAA champion Raymond Felton explained what the Dubs did in an episode of Run Your Race with Theo Pinson in a video posted on X:
Felton first entered the league as the Charlotte Bobcats fifth pick in the 2005 Draft and played 14 seasons in the NBA. Before that, though, the guard played for North Carolina and won the NCAA championship in 2005.
Without a doubt, Stephen Curry and the Warriors helped the NBA evolve to where it is today. Thanks to how they play the game, the league wouldn’t be how it is if the Dubs didn’t change the rules over a decade ago and built a dynasty that dominated every team during their run at the peak.
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