Off-ball movement has long been a key part of the Golden State Warriors’ offense. Stephen Curry was the pioneer, but the rest of the team has learned from him and is now more effective.
The Golden State Warriors have always had an impact offense under head coach Steve Kerr. Kerr encourages off-ball movement, one of Stephen Curry’s biggest strengths. He moves well off the ball and can get free and hit 3-point shots.
Draymond Green also plays a key role as he is responsible for setting screens and passing the ball to Curry for shots. It’s difficult to protect a team that’s constantly on the move, making him an unstoppable weapon for the Warriors.
Curry isn’t the only one with elite off-ball movement, as Gary Payton II is also great. He primarily plays in the paint, but can also hit the occasional corner 3-pointer. Payton impressed teammates like Jimmy Butler and Brandin Podzemski with his off-ball movement and defense.
The Warriors team may be older, but they know how to play well with each other. Green and Curry have a natural connection, helping them win four championships over the past decade.
Payton is another player who would naturally fit into that system. Coach Kerr likes his players to move off the ball, so he gets the most out of Payton by making him an option at the dunker spot. Although only 6’2” tall, Payton plays like a power forward as he is good at finishing in the paint.
Defensively, Payton can guard just about any player in the league. He has the tenacity to stay in front of the matchup while maintaining a low center of gravity, which makes him difficult to pass. For his underrated role, teammate Podzemski has expressed his sincere gratitude to him.
“He’s important because one, he plays very well with Steph, two, he’s very versatile defensively, and three, he’s in the locker room,” Podzemski said of Payton’s role.
“Like Loon, he was, and like Moses, they all bring something unique in terms of what they all bring together. You learn so much when you have him around. He doesn’t have to do anything with the ball. He’s just a team guy and I think that’s what the team needs.”
“His arms are really long, he has good defensive instincts just like his dad, and he takes pride in his defense, which is half the battle.”
Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Warriors are not viewed as a strong contender in the Western Conference. Most people have the Denver Nuggets or defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder as the top candidates. They earned this award because they improved their roster for the new season.
Despite this, the Warriors may be one of the surprising teams that people overlook. They still have some of the most respected players in the league in Curry, Green, Jimmy Butler and Al Horford.
Of course, the main criticism is the age of the key players. That’s because the entire projected starting lineup is over 32 years old. Despite this, the Warriors are focused on maximizing Curry’s availability as he ages. The Warriors have a great offense and could be the favorites to win the championship. Podzemski and other role players will do their part to achieve that goal.