Warriors All-Century Team: The 12 best players since 2000-01 season

Charts and graphs tell the story of players who turned Golden State from NBA doormat to dynasty.

For a team that recently reached five consecutive NBA Finals, winning three, and accomplished the winningest season in NBA history, it might surprise some that the Golden State Warriors have the 12th-best record this century.

Yes, since the 2000-01 season, the Warriors (900 wins, 833 losses) have fewer victories than the Thunder, Pacers and Trail Blazers. Perhaps no franchise has turned around its fortune more than the Warriors, who made one postseason appearance — as an 8th seed — in 18 seasons from 1995 through 2012. Since then, Golden State has the best record in the NBA (515-250, .673%) and has made all but one postseason.

Assembling a Warriors All-Century Team might seem like an easy task — just pick the 12 best players from their title run, right? But that would deny incredible talents who kept the team watchable and one of the greatest upsets in postseason history.

ALL-CENTURY TEAM STARTERS (in ranking order)

Stephen Curry, Guard (2009-present): The two-time MVP (once unanimous) has twice an many win shares (basketball-reference.com stat that estimates wins contributed by a player) than any other Warrior since 2000-01, along with the most points, assists and steals. This season Curry passed Ray Allen for most 3-pointers in NBA history.

Klay Thompson, Guard (2011-present): The five-time All-Star had the most electrifying Warriors performance this century, scoring an NBA-record 37 points in a quarter against the Kings. He has developed into one of the top wing defenders (all-defensive second team in 2018-19) before being sidelined two-plus seasons by injuries.

Draymond Green, Forward (2012-present): The 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year is a one-man fast break, leading the team in rebounding since 2000-01 and ranking second in assists. He has one second-team and one third-team all-NBA section.

Kevin Durant, Forward (2016-19): Signed after a 2016 Finals loss to the Cavaliers, the future Hall of Famer won two championships (Finals MVP both times) in three seasons with Golden State. He has played the second fewest games (208) of any Warriors All-Century Team member.

Baron Davis, Guard (2004-08): Davis and the “We Believe” Warriors made Oracle Arena the most electric building in the league. After landing the franchise’s first postseason berth since 1993-94, the 2016-17 Warriors upset the top-seed Mavericks. In the second round, Davis dunked on Andrei Kirilenko’s head.

THE RESERVES (in ranking order)

Andre Iguodala, Forward (2014-19, 2021-22): His defensive effort against LeBron James is credited with turning around the 2015 Finals, which Cleveland led 2-games-to-1, and landing Golden State its first title since 1975. Acquired in 2013, he became the veteran presence for a young core and was all-defensive first team in 2013-14.

Jason Richardson, Guard (2001-07): The two-time dunk contest champion provided highlights during some of the team’s worst seasons. After Curry and Thompson, he has the most 3-pointers (700) since 2000-01 and was a key contributor in the team’s return to the postseason in 2007, his finale with Golden State.

Andrew Bogut, Center (2012-16, 2018-19): The 7-foot Australian battled leg injuries in becoming the interior defensive presence on the first NBA title team this century. The lone true center on this roster was named all-defensive second team in 2014-15.

Antawn Jamison, Forward (1998-2003): The only member whose Warriors tenure predates 2000, Jamison was acquired in a draft-day trade for Vince Carter. The North Carolina alum averaged 24.9 points in 2000-01 and had back-to-back 50-point games that season, including a duel with the Lakers in which Kobe Bryant also topped 50.

Stephen Jackson, Forward (2006-10): Acquired in a midseason trade, Captain Jax became the heartbeat of the 2007 “We Believe” Warriors, providing vocal leadership and tough defense. He made a then-franchise record seven 3-pointers in the series-clinching, Game 6 win over the Mavericks.

Monta Ellis, Guard (2005-12): Drafted out of high school, Ellis earned NBA Most Improved Player honors in his second season as Golden State ended its playoff drought. He averaged 20 points in four of five seasons before a 2012 trade made room for a backcourt of Curry and Thompson, the only Warriors with more points than Ellis this century.

David Lee, Forward (2010-15): Acquired in a 2010 trade with the Knicks, Lee in 2013 became the franchise’s first All-Star since Latrell Sprewell in 1997. Lee also earned All-NBA third team honors in 2013, and the forward was a key piece to the team’s turnaround before serving in a reserve role during the first title run.

Forward Andris Biedrins has the most win shares of any player not on the All-Century Team, ranking sixth with 30.7. Kevon Looney has the most (18.2) of any current Warrior not on the team.

Curry and Thompson are the only Warriors to top 10,000 points this century while Durant has the highest points-per-game average (25.8). Danny Fortson has the highest rebounding average (10.7) while playing 100 games from 2001-03. Baron Davis has the highest assists average (8.1).

Curry has 86.8 offensive win shares, three times more than any other Warrior since 2000-01. Draymond Green leads in defensive win shares (34.8). Biedrins (30.7) has the most win shares by a Warrior who wasn’t on a championship roster.

A plot chart of the team’s top 20 scorers shows points in correlation to minutes played, with Curry soaring above all other Dubs.

Curry is one of six Warriors to be named all-rookie (2010), joining Richardson (2002), Harrison Barnes (2013), Marc Jackson (2001), Eric Paschall (2020) and Thompson (2012).

After a promising rookie season, Curry suffered injury setbacks before becoming the MVP caliber player we know today.

The top three international contributors, based on win shares, have all been big men. Biedrins, from Latvia, contributed more than 3,000 points and rebounds over 10 seasons.

Warriors TV analyst Kelenna Azubuike, born in London, scored more than 2,000 points over four seasons with the Warriors, and was a defensive presence on the 2007 “We Believe” Warriors.

Curry and Thompson have each scored 60 points, and account for 13 of the 19 50-point games since 2000-01.