The reasons why the Warriors are contenders for the NBA championship in 2027

Stephen Curry is close to turning 38 years old, but he continues to show that his scoring ability remains intact. The star of the Golden State Warriors is signing an impressive 45.7% success rate from three-point range, a figure that reflects that the passage of time has hardly affected his ability to make a difference. Much of this performance could be explained by the transformation that the franchise's offensive system is undergoing.

A change in the system to enhance Curry

For years, the Warriors revolutionized basketball with their small lineups, constant ball movement, and exploitation of space. In the dynasty they built in the mid-2010s, Curry and Draymond Green were the main pillars of an offensive system that punished their opponents through their extraordinary connection in the two-man game.

This partnership continues to play an important role, but Golden State is betting on a different formula this season. Instead of relying so much on the usual pick-and-roll actions between Curry and Green, the team is surrounding its main star with shooters, players capable of spacing the floor, and teammates who facilitate the ball movement.

The result is a system of five open players that provides Curry with more space to maneuver, more opportunities to exploit favorable matchups, and greater freedom to create shots both for himself and for his teammates.

More space to exploit his talent

Traditionally, the Warriors have built much of their offense around Curry's off-ball movements, screens, and his connection with Green. However, the current adjustments allow the four-time NBA champion to operate in a much more open setting.

With all five players occupying perimeter positions and participating in offensive creation, opposing defenses face a dilemma: send more players to stop Curry or risk leaving other shooting specialists open. A particularly favorable situation for a player who continues to be one of the greatest perimeter threats in basketball history.

His 45.7% shooting from three-point range is a good indicator of the effectiveness of this approach. At an age when many players start to lose athletic ability and offensive production, Curry continues to punish his opponents with extraordinary efficiency. Moreover, his recent performances are demonstrating that his individual output is also having a direct impact on collective results.

In the victory of Golden State over the Orlando Magic (126-119), decided in overtime, Curry scored 41 points, reaching his second game of 40 points this season. With that performance, he tied Oscar Robertson for eighth place on the all-time list for games with at least 40 points.

The point guard also extended another spectacular streak from beyond the arc, hitting at least five three-pointers in five consecutive games. This is the eighth time in his career that he has achieved such a streak in a single season. No other player in NBA history has been able to do it as many times, as the next record is half that.

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From a start with three losses to a historic streak

The transformation of the Warriors takes on even more significance when recalling how the team started the season. Golden State lost its first three games, raising doubts about their possibilities after beginning the campaign without Jimmy Butler or Moses Moody. To those difficulties was later added Kristaps Porziņģis' announcement that he was stepping away from basketball.

However, the franchise did not lose confidence in its approach and responded with eight consecutive victories. This made them the first team in NBA history to link eight wins after starting a season with three straight losses.

Moreover, these were not just close victories. Four of those wins came after overcoming double-digit deficits, a feat that the Warriors had only achieved once before in their history.

The bench and exterior shooting also make a difference

Although Curry draws much of the spotlight, Golden State's new offensive functioning is also finding responses throughout the rest of the roster. During the eight-game winning streak, the Warriors have been the most accurate team in the NBA from three-point range, with a 40.3% success rate. They have also recorded a 70% assist percentage, the second-best in the entire league, demonstrating the fluidity with which they are moving the ball.

The bench has also played a significant role. The reserves have accumulated 492 points during this winning streak, ranking among the top three scoring second units in the NBA.

These figures help explain the success of the new five-open-player system. Golden State no longer needs Curry to constantly resolve possessions with difficult shots or to take on almost all the offensive responsibility. The goal is to create situations where several players can participate and contribute during the same action.

Green continues to be important for his passing and decision-making ability, but the presence of more shooters and playmakers offers new alternatives for Curry. This way, opposing defenses can no longer concentrate all their efforts on neutralizing the connection between them without leaving unprotected spaces in other areas of the court.

The increased spacing also allows Curry to attack the defensive movements of his opponents, exploit mismatches, and find open teammates when defenses decide to send help to stop him.