Warriors Small Ball Death Lineup Debut
The Warriors' game-changing small-ball unit that redefined NBA basketball.
The Death Lineup was a lineup of basketball players on the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 2014 to 2019. Developed under head coach Steve Kerr, it began during their 2014–15 run that led to the Warriors’ first NBA championship since 1975.
Quick Facts
- Team
- Golden State Warriors
- Key players
- Stephen Curry
- Klay Thompson
- Draymond Green
- Andre Iguodala
- Harrison Barnes
- Primary innovation
- Five-out spacing and positionless defense
- Major achievement
- NBA Championship 2015
- Tactical impact
- Pioneered modern small-ball basketball
Lore & Background
The lineup featured the Splash Brothers, a three-point shooting backcourt consisting of two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry, and perennial two-way All-Star Klay Thompson. It also featured versatile defender and 2015 NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala on the wing, alongside 2014 NBA MVP Kevin Durant, and 2016–17 Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green at center. Green's defensive versatility was described as the 'key' that allowed the lineup to be so effective. The lineup originally included Harrison Barnes, who was replaced in 2016–17 by Durant; the new group began to be known as the 'Hamptons Five'.
Reader's Guide
The Death Lineup was considered to be indicative of a larger overall trend in the NBA towards 'positionless' basketball. Their time together ended after the 2018–19 season, when Durant became a free agent and decided not to rejoin the Warriors and Iguodala was traded.
Did You Know?
- The Death Lineup was first deployed in the 2015 NBA Finals, not during the regular season.
- The term 'Death Lineup' was originated by Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News.
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