The Golden State Warriors took down the Miami Heat on Sunday night for their 15th win in their last 16 games. The team is rolling, and a huge reason for the Warriors playing so well is all of the talent in the starting five.
Heat guard Dwyane Wade knows a bit about playing in what was once considered one of the best starting units of all time when he teamed up with LeBron James and Chris Bosh on a team that also went to four-consecutive NBA Finals.
Wade, now in his last season in the NBA, was asked about the Warriors after the game and conceded that this year’s team has one of the best starting 5s in the history of the game.
“That is as good as it gets in our game with any team ever to play this game,” Wade said. “That is as good as it gets with a starting five. That is why they are who they are, that is why they are champions.
“To be able to add a guy like DeMarcus to it, that is what great teams do. They add a piece and keep adding certain right pieces, and they’ve done it.”
So far, the numbers don’t align with what everyone is saying about the unit. Through eight games, the lineup featuring Curry, Thompson, Durant, Green, Cousins has a negative net rating and are trying to figure things out defensively as a group.
Offensively, though, Cousins passing ability and ability to create his own shot has opened things up. When they’re at their peak, the Warriors are getting a good look at the basket every time down when those five are on the floor.
As Cousins continues to improve, so will that starting unit, and by extension, the entire team as rotations even out and head coach Steve Kerr has a better feel for which units work the best together. Even with improved teams in the Eastern Conference, it’s going to take quite a bit to unseat these Warriors.
