As I look back at the Golden State Warriors' 2019 roster, I can't help but draw parallels to that fascinating volleyball story where a nation learned to embrace men's volleyball after hosting the Volleyball Nations League for three years. Much like how that 82nd-ranked team introduced itself to the world, the 2019 Warriors were about to reveal a new identity to the NBA landscape. Having followed this team through their dynasty years, I witnessed firsthand how this particular season marked a significant transition period that would test the organization's depth and resilience in ways we hadn't seen before.
The core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green remained, but the supporting cast had undergone substantial changes. What struck me most was how the departure of Kevin Durant to Brooklyn and the trade that sent Andre Iguodala to Memphis created a void that went beyond mere statistics. I remember thinking at the time that losing Iguodala's leadership might hurt more than people anticipated - his basketball IQ and playoff experience were invaluable during those championship runs. The Warriors brought in D'Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade, paying him approximately $117 million over four years, which I initially questioned given his defensive limitations and how he might fit alongside Curry.
Looking at the roster construction, the Warriors made some interesting moves that reflected their new reality. They signed Willie Cauley-Stein to a 1-year deal worth about $2.2 million, which I thought was a steal given his athleticism and rim-running ability. What impressed me was their commitment to developing younger players like Eric Paschall, who turned out to be one of the most pleasant surprises of the season. Paschall averaged 14 points per game on 49% shooting from the field, numbers that far exceeded expectations for a second-round pick. I've always believed that championship teams need these unexpected contributions from role players, and Paschall delivered in ways that reminded me of Harrison Barnes' early development.
The injury to Klay Thompson, who missed the entire season recovering from his ACL tear, created a massive scoring and defensive void that the team never truly filled. I recall watching games where the offensive burden fell entirely on Curry's shoulders, and while he delivered spectacular performances when healthy, the lack of secondary scoring became painfully apparent. When Curry himself went down with a broken hand after just four games, the season essentially became a development year rather than a competitive one. This reminded me of that volleyball nation's journey - sometimes you have to go through growing pains to build something sustainable.
What fascinated me about this roster was how it represented both continuity and change. They maintained their core philosophy of ball movement and three-point shooting, but the personnel changes forced adaptations. The addition of Alec Burks provided some much-needed scoring punch off the bench, and I thought he was underutilized before being traded to Philadelphia. Glenn Robinson III brought athleticism and defensive versatility, though his shooting consistency left something to be desired. The center rotation of Cauley-Stein, Marquese Chriss, and Kevon Looney offered different skill sets, though none provided the two-way impact that had characterized their championship teams.
As the season progressed, it became clear that this was a transition year - the Warriors finished with the worst record in the NBA at 15-50 before the pandemic halted the season. While disappointing from a wins perspective, I believe this season served a crucial purpose in identifying which young players could contribute to the next contending team. The development of Paschall, Jordan Poole, and Marquese Chriss provided building blocks that would later help the Warriors return to championship contention. Sometimes, as that volleyball story demonstrated, you need to introduce yourself to the world in a new way before you can rise again. The 2019 Warriors, despite their record, laid the groundwork for what was to come while giving us a fascinating glimpse into how championship organizations navigate adversity.
