Failed Suns Superteam Shows Rarity of Warriors

Another major component of Bud’s rocky time with the Suns was his decision to bench Beal. Beal admitted he wasn’t thrilled with the demotion, but was still committed to helping the team win.

The Nets Debacle

If the Suns failed Big Three attempt looked familiar, it was. The Brooklyn Nets trio of Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden is another example of a star-studded roster gone wrong. 

The team looked primed to contend for several years. The Nets even brought in former MVP Steve Nash as its head coach. 

The three stars all thrive in iso-situations, similar to Phoenix. Together, they obliterated opponents’ defenses, putting on historically great offensive clinics. Defensively, however, the team left room for improvement. 

Ultimately, the future Hall-of-Famers couldn’t make it further than the second round. Injuries, COVID rules, and off-court issues limited the stars to just 16 games together. 

Durant believes Nash’s role as coach was limited with all the chaos going on around them.

The team disassembled, with Harden the first to exit in 2022 after just one year. 

Warriors Culture

Durant’s unsuccessful superteam formations show the uniqueness of his fit with the Golden State Warriors. What made his time in the Bay different from the other two stops is that the Warriors had an established culture before Durant came.

A hallmark of this culture is its family-friendly environment.

Coach Steve Kerr often allowed families to join team planes and players’ kids to attend a practice or assist their staff on the sidelines in a game. This helped establish a connection between the organization and players’ families, as well as create a more relaxed atmosphere.

The foundation for any successful team starts at the top. When Durant first became a Warrior, the team already had a trusted head coach in Kerr. He had been there for a couple of years; he had grown accustomed to his players’ styles and tendencies.

There was no need to test the waters with a new coach or wonder if the star players respected their leader. Steph Curry’s relationship with Kerr was, and still is, a pivotal part in why players in the organization buy in. If the franchise player can respect the head coach, it makes it easier for other players to follow suit. 

Another major distinction of the Warriors from Brooklyn and Phoenix is that there was a clear hierarchy on the roster. Everyone knew it was Curry’s team, and roles were defined. Draymond Green was their defensive force, and Klay Thompson was their two-way sharpshooter. 

Curry’s willingness to defer to Durant and Thompson in the right moments set the precedent for how the team should operate. The perfect balance throughout their roster with offense, defense, shooting, and playmaking made the Warriors a complete team. 

Warriors Standard

The Warriors’ offense is predicated on ball/player movement and screen setting, using those to generate open looks for their players. This style was embedded in the Warriors’ system long before Durant joined them.

This made it so that there was already a proven method to success that the team could follow when the Big Three was assembled.

Being a Warrior also means that selflessness is a golden rule. 

A prime example of this is Andre Iguodala coming off the bench during their championship runs. Initially, he was hesitant about this decision. But after several talks with Kerr, Iguodala accepted.

Despite being an All-Star player, he agreed to a Sixth Man role, anchoring the second unit and defending other teams’ best players. Kerr’s transparency and ability to have tough, open conversations are an overlooked aspect in his connection with his players. 

Big Three Replication

Durant’s time with the Warriors wasn’t without any conflict or learning curves. But the Warriors’ ability to still perform at a high level was a testament to the organization’s commitment and leadership. 

Health is a key factor in any championship pursuit, and the Warriors had it on their side for a majority of those years together.

Nothing lasts forever. The ultimate ending of the Durant era was signaled by his Achilles tear and Thompson’s ACL tear. His time with the Suns (and Nets) is a reminder of why his tenure with the Warriors should be cherished.

We may never see a superteam, or even dynasty like it again.