Steve Kerr is a Genius for Suddenly Abandoning the Strategy That Created Warriors' Dynasty

The Golden State Warriors always had the potential to be great, but not until they unlocked the potential of the Stephen Curry-Klay Thompson-Draymond Green All-Star trio. That didn't happen until Steve Kerr arrived. The coach implemented a new system focused on ball movement and pace, and relied on small-ball looks that placed the seemingly undersized Green at center, the essence of the infamous "Death Lineup." Now, however, with a chance to achieve a historic three-peat, Kerr has changed the whole thing up.

Without no Kevin Durant and increasingly few options off the bench, Kerr decided to rely on his big men in Game 2 of the NBA Finals after getting abused down low by the Raptors Game 1. It takes a lot to move away from what has proven to be successful for so many years in a row, but Kerr took a chance on playing Green as a power forward and going big, and he was rewarded for it.

Kerr tried to go for pace in Game 1, and started the young and energetic Jordan Bell alongside Green. However, Bell's limited skill set showed, and it allowed Raptors big men Pau Gasol and Pascal Siakam to combine for 52 points.

What had worked for the Warriors in their multiple championship runs was suddenly a disadvantage. The Death Lineup without Durant just couldn't get the job done.

Kerr didn't continue to trust what failed in Game 1, so he jacked up Andrew Bogut and DeMarcus Cousins' minutes from eight to 35. Rim protection was reinforced, and the Warriors secured a win despite suffering a barrage of in-game injuries.

The Warriors head coach's formidable skill often gets overlooked given the franchise's baffling amount of talent. But Kerr is the man who conducts this orchestra, and when he needs to, he has provden that he can make bold adjustments to maximize their chances for success.