The “Death Lineup” of the Golden State Warriors represents one of the most iconic and influential basketball lineups in the history of the NBA, a unit that revolutionized how the game is played through its small-ball approach, versatile skill set, and high-octane offense. This lineup, which primarily featured Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, and Kevin Durant, was not just a collection of elite individual talents but a cohesive unit that changed the strategic landscape of basketball. At its core, the Death Lineup’s success lay in its ability to maximize speed, spacing, and switching defense, coupled with unparalleled shooting and playmaking that overwhelmed opponents in multiple facets of the game.
The term “small-ball” in basketball typically refers to a strategy where a team fields smaller, more agile players rather than traditional bigger, slower post players. This is done to increase pace and spacing on the floor, allowing for more driving lanes, quick ball movement, and increased three-point shooting opportunities. The Warriors’ Death Lineup epitomized this philosophy. By often leaving out a conventional center and replacing him with Draymond Green — a forward with the defensive versatility to guard multiple positions — they prioritized speed and skill over size. This shift allowed the Warriors to push the pace, creating transition scoring opportunities that their shooters could exploit. Unlike traditional lineups that relied heavily on size and inside scoring, the Death Lineup attacked opponents from the perimeter, forcing defenses to stretch and adjust in ways that most teams were not prepared for at the time.
At the heart of the Death Lineup was Stephen Curry, arguably the greatest shooter the game has ever seen. Curry’s presence on the floor forced defenses to extend far beyond the three-point line, opening up the floor for his teammates. His ball-handling, shooting range, and quick release made him a constant threat from anywhere on the court. Curry’s gravity on offense is a key reason why the Death Lineup was so effective; opposing teams had to respect his ability to pull up from nearly 30 feet or drive into the paint, which created space for Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant to exploit. Thompson, known for his exceptional catch-and-shoot ability and lockdown perimeter defense, perfectly complemented Curry. Together, they formed one of the deadliest shooting backcourts in NBA history. The duo could catch fire at any moment, draining threes in rapid succession and demoralizing opponents. Thompson’s off-ball movement and ability to find space also allowed the offense to flow smoothly, as defenses struggled to keep up with the multiple shooting threats on the floor.
Draymond Green was the emotional and defensive anchor of the Death Lineup. Though undersized compared to traditional power forwards and centers, Green’s intelligence, strength, and versatility allowed him to guard all five positions effectively. He brought a unique combination of rim protection, perimeter defense, and playmaking. On offense, Green’s ability to initiate the offense as a point-forward made the Warriors’ attack unpredictable. His passing ability, especially in transition and from the high post, created numerous scoring opportunities for Curry, Thompson, and Durant. Green’s defensive communication and leadership also made the unit extremely cohesive, as he orchestrated switches and ensured the team maintained its defensive integrity despite the small lineup.
Andre Iguodala, while often underrated in discussions about the Death Lineup, was an integral piece. Known for his defensive prowess and basketball IQ, Iguodala was often tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player. His ability to stay in front of scorers, disrupt passing lanes, and contest shots without fouling was crucial in maintaining defensive balance. Offensively, Iguodala’s role was more complementary but no less important. He was a smart cutter, an efficient finisher at the rim, and a reliable secondary playmaker. His experience and calm demeanor under pressure added stability to a lineup that relied heavily on speed and skill.
The addition of Kevin Durant in 2016 took the Death Lineup to a new level of dominance. Durant’s scoring versatility and efficiency made the lineup nearly unstoppable on offense. His height and length gave the Warriors a significant advantage, as he could shoot over defenders, create his own shot off the dribble, and finish in traffic. Durant’s presence forced defenses to make impossible choices, as he could score from anywhere while also spacing the floor for Curry, Thompson, and Green. Defensively, Durant’s length and athleticism allowed him to guard multiple positions effectively, making the lineup even more switchable and versatile. The synergy between Durant and the other members of the Death Lineup created a unit that was capable of overwhelming teams with a combination of relentless shooting, quick passing, aggressive defense, and unselfish ball movement.
What made the Death Lineup particularly special was not just the talent of its individual players but the way they fit together perfectly to form a dynamic system. The Warriors operated with a style that emphasized pace, space, and precision. They pushed the ball in transition, utilized quick passes to find open shooters, and exploited mismatches created by their ability to switch defensively on virtually any screen. The spacing created by Curry, Thompson, and Durant’s shooting pulled defenders away from the basket, opening driving lanes for penetration by Curry or Green. This constant threat of outside shooting forced defenses to either collapse inside and give up threes or guard tightly on the perimeter and risk giving up lanes to the basket. The Warriors’ ball movement was equally impressive, with players constantly cutting, screening, and passing to create high-quality shot opportunities. This movement made it difficult for defenses to anticipate and react, resulting in a very efficient offense that often led the league in scoring.
Defensively, the Death Lineup was more than just a perimeter defense unit. Despite being small in size, the lineup was one of the best defensive units in the league during its prime. The players’ ability to switch seamlessly on pick-and-rolls, guard multiple positions, and rotate quickly to contest shots made it extremely difficult for opponents to find open looks. Draymond Green’s defensive leadership and instincts were vital here, as he coordinated switches and helped teammates recover. Iguodala’s experience and defensive discipline ensured that the lineup was not just a scoring machine but a balanced unit capable of shutting down opposing offenses. Durant’s length and athleticism also allowed for rim protection and contesting shots outside his normal forward position. This defensive versatility gave the Warriors an edge in playoff situations where defensive stops were crucial.
The Death Lineup’s impact on the NBA extends beyond its immediate success. The Warriors won multiple championships with this lineup, and their style of play influenced the league’s strategic evolution. Teams across the NBA began emphasizing shooting, spacing, and switching defense, recognizing the advantages of the small-ball, positionless basketball the Warriors popularized. The success of the Death Lineup helped accelerate the shift away from traditional big-man centered offenses toward more guard and wing-oriented play. The influence is evident in how teams now prioritize versatile defenders who can guard multiple positions and players who can shoot from long range. The Warriors showed that having a big man was not always necessary if you could assemble a group of players who could outscore, outpace, and out-defend opponents through speed, skill, and teamwork.
The story of the Death Lineup is also one of chemistry and unselfishness. Each player accepted his role, whether it was being the primary scorer, the defensive stopper, the playmaker, or the floor spacer. Their willingness to share the ball, move without it, and play both ends of the floor at an elite level made the lineup greater than the sum of its parts. The Warriors’ coaching staff, led by Steve Kerr, deserves credit for recognizing the potential of such a lineup and allowing the team to play freely and expressively within this system. Kerr’s emphasis on ball movement, player freedom, and defensive intensity helped create an environment where the Death Lineup could thrive.
In summary, the Death Lineup of the Golden State Warriors was a groundbreaking unit defined by its small-ball approach, scoring prowess, defensive versatility, and incredible teamwork. It changed the way basketball is played by demonstrating the power of shooting, spacing, and switching defense. With Stephen Curry’s unprecedented shooting ability, Klay Thompson’s sharpshooting and defense, Draymond Green’s defensive leadership and playmaking, Andre Iguodala’s defensive expertise, and Kevin Durant’s scoring versatility, the lineup became a nearly unstoppable force. Its influence reshaped the NBA’s strategic landscape, inspiring a new generation of players and teams to adopt similar principles. The Death Lineup was more than just a successful basketball unit; it was a transformative moment in basketball history that redefined what it means to build a championship team.
