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The Golden State Warriors are tied with the Chicago Bulls when it comes to NBA championships (6) in their history and are only behind the LA Lakers and the Boston Celtics. They are also tied with the Miami Heat in third place in terms of titles in the 21st century (3). The team has enjoyed tremendous success recently, and picking their greatest starting five of the 21st century seems like a straightforward job.
Golden State Warriors' greatest starting 5 of the 21st century
Although they had a torrid start to the 21st century, the Golden State Warriors became dominant after assembling a great team, initially through draft picks and then with the shocking signing of Kevin Durant in the 2016 offseason.
Before entering the 2013 NBA Playoffs led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and David Lee, the Golden State Warriors had just one playoff appearance in the previous 18 years (the "We Believe" Warriors in 2007). From that point on, a solid core of players changed the modern history of the franchise.
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This list will look at the greatest starting 5 of the Golden State Warriors in the 21st century.
Point Guard - Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is arguably the greatest shooter of all time and is the best player in the history of the Golden State Warriors, which is saying a lot (Rick Barry and Wilt Chamberlain have strong cases, too).
Curry was the team's most important player during their five straight NBA Finals appearances from 2015 to 2019. Even when Kevin Durant joined the team, Curry remained the essential piece for their fast-flowing playing style.
The two-time NBA Most Valuable player ranks third in total points in franchise history. Moreover, he has played his entire NBA career for the Warriors and has three NBA titles with the team, among many other accolades, such as six All-Stars appearances and six All-NBA selections.
Shooting Guard - Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson is another historic shooter who has played his entire NBA career with the Golden State Warriors.
Thompson has been an integral part of the franchise's recent success and is a superstar player who is also a superstar teammate. He is another three-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors and has had some historic nights for the franchise, especially his 37-point quarter against the Sacramento Kings on January 23rd, 2015.
Thompson is a five-time NBA All-Star and is one half of the greatest shooting backcourt in NBA history, alongside Stephen Curry, called the Splash Brothers.
Forward - Kevin Durant
Even though Kevin Durant played just three years with the Golden State Warriors, his impact was huge.
Arguably the best player of the team's back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018, Durant was also the Finals MVP on the two occasions and was a difference-maker in the NBA Playoffs.
In his first season with Golden State, the team set the all-time best record of the NBA Playoffs, with 16 wins and just one loss.
KD averaged 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists with the Golden State Warriors on 52% shooting.
Forward - Andre Iguodala
When Steve Kerr decided to put Andre Iguodala as the Golden State Warriors' sixth man in the 2014-15 NBA season, Iggy was a 15-5-5 player in the NBA who had earned All-Star recognition and had started each game of his career at that point.
However, the move proved positive for the team and also proved that Iguodala was a team-first player.
As the Warriors stormed to a 67-15 record in the 2014-15 regular season and reached the NBA Finals, Iguodala was involved in another key move. Kerr decided to start Iguodala in Game 4 of the 2015 NBA Finals, with the team down 2-1.
In the last three games of the series, he averaged 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists on 48% shooting and 40% from three as the Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games.
Iguodala was named the 2015 NBA Finals MVP as the Golden State Warriors took their first title in 40 years.
He was an essential member of the other two titles won by the Golden State Warriors in the 21st century and played in each of the team's five straight finals appearances from 2015 to 2019.
Center - Draymond Green
Usually referred to as the 'glue' of the Golden State Warriors' three championship-winning teams of the 21st century, Draymond Green is certainly a great all-round player and a leader in the locker room.
Green was part of the original Golden State Big-Three, alongside the Splash Brothers, when they won their breakthrough 2015 NBA championship.
Draymond won the 2016-17 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and was the most versatile defender and arguably the best passer on the squad. He is the franchise all-time leader in Triple-Doubles with 24.
Though he is usually listed as a power forward, Green often played the center position when the Golden State Warriors played their small-ball, 'death' lineup.
