A Complete Breakdown of the 2019 Golden State Warriors NBA Roster and Player Analysis

When I first started analyzing championship-caliber teams, I always looked for that magical combination of veteran leadership and emerging talent. The 2019 Golden State Warriors roster perfectly exemplified this balance, reminding me of how certain national teams gradually build their identity over time. Much like how a nation discovered its passion for men's volleyball through hosting the Volleyball Nations League, the Warriors had spent years cultivating their championship DNA before reaching their 2019 iteration.

Looking at the starting lineup, you could still see the core that had dominated the league for years. Stephen Curry remained the engine of the offense, averaging 27.3 points per game while shooting 43.7% from three-point range. What impressed me most about Curry that season wasn't just his shooting - it was his improved playmaking and decision-making under pressure. Alongside him, Klay Thompson continued as the perfect complementary piece, though his season was unfortunately cut short by that devastating ACL injury during the Finals. Draymond Green's defensive versatility remained crucial, and I've always argued that his basketball IQ is what truly separated the Warriors from other teams.

The bench depth that year was particularly fascinating to me. Players like Kevon Looney provided reliable interior presence, while Shaun Livingston's mid-range game remained one of the most underrated aspects of their offense. What many casual fans might not remember is how significant Andre Iguodala's role was, even at 35 years old. His veteran presence in crucial moments often made the difference between winning and losing close games.

The addition of DeMarcus Cousins was supposed to be the final piece that made the Warriors unstoppable. Honestly, I was skeptical about how he'd fit into their system from the beginning. While his 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game looked good on paper, the defensive chemistry never quite clicked the way they'd hoped. The Warriors' system relied so much on switching and communication, and Cousins' recovery timeline from his Achilles injury made that integration challenging.

What struck me about that season was how the Warriors mirrored the development pattern we see in international sports. Just as that 82nd-ranked volleyball team introduced itself to the world through consistent exposure to high-level competition, the Warriors' role players grew through facing championship-level expectations every night. Players like Quinn Cook and Alfonzo McKinnie might not have been household names, but they understood their roles perfectly within the system.

The 2019 season ultimately ended in disappointment with that Game 6 loss to Toronto, but I've always felt that team demonstrated the importance of organizational culture. Even through injuries and roster changes, they maintained their identity. Watching them navigate that challenging season taught me more about team building than any championship victory could have. Their ability to integrate new pieces while maintaining their core principles is something I still reference when evaluating how successful organizations operate under pressure.