Coach Steve Kerr has a lot of concerns about the starting lineup for the upcoming campaign after the addition of Chris Paul and Draymond Green’s ankle injury. The Golden State Warriors’ captain disclosed that he can start Andrew Wiggins, Paul, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevon Looney.

Without a doubt, this team is the tallest in the competition. With CP3 standing at just 1m83 and Curry at 1m88, Kevon Looney is the tallest player on this team at just 2m06. Notably, Kerr wants to use defender Klay Thompson as the primary striker.

Over the course of his career, Thompson frequently filled the role of secondary forward or point guard. Only roughly 1% of Thompson’s playing career was spent as a primary forward, per Basketball-Reference. 

“Klay is going to play the fourth position. He is accustomed to fending off swift defenders and is physically strong,” Kerr said. At that point, Klay needs to counter the pick and roll of his opponent. For him, it will be a completely different experience. We intend to make a few changes and monitor his adjustment.”

Kerr believed in Thompson, but it was a bad idea none the less. Thompson weighs 100 kg and stands 1 m98 tall. That’s a very ideal body shape in contrast to a defender. But he’s shorter than most NBA players when it comes to the main striker position.

The opponent will quickly take advantage of Thompson’s physical advantage to overwhelm him and score near the basket when he follows those big men. Even with his excellent defensive play, Thompson was unable to close the physical distance. 

Furthermore, Thompson’s need to concentrate in the vicinity of the basket hindered the Warriors’ ability to guard the perimeter. Because the player with the number 11 has become an expert at guarding the Warriors’ perimeter in recent years. Even though Wiggins and Looney average slightly less than a block per game, they are both excellent defenders of the basket. Paul and Curry, however, are essentially powerless in that regard.

It also begs the question of how the Warriors will bounce back given their lack of height. Thompson averages 3.1 defensive rebounds per game, which is a respectable stat line. But because the ball bounced in the proper spot, he was able to grab the majority of the rebounds. Unlike real big men, he is not the kind of player who can box out opponents and jump into airborne disputes.

The aforementioned indicates that Steve Kerr’s strategy of testing Thompson as the primary striker could backfire. On the other hand, when the Warriors attack, it will be extremely difficult for the opponent’s big men to mark Thompson.

Among the best shooters in NBA history is Thompson. Not only that, but he can move with consistency and intelligence even when the ball is not in play. It will be difficult for big, strong guys to keep up with Thompson’s movement speed and intensity. The Warriors will try to compensate if Steve Kerr insists on starting Thompson at the No. 4 spot.

Fortunately, this is only a temporary issue for the Warriors. When Green eventually makes his way back into the starting lineup, it will spark yet another fascinating debate about who should make room for Green. When Green heals from his injury, players like Paul, Thompson, and Wiggins might no longer start.