With the Golden State Warriors claiming their second title in three years, teams around the NBA have begun their search for players who can help take down the defending champions. Armed with multiple rangy perimeter players who complement Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, the Warriors have almost single-handedly influenced the league's view on team building.
Shane Battier was a key cog for the Miami Heat during their back-to-back title years. The Duke product was a force on the defensive end and is widely regarded as one of the best glue guys in NBA history. His reputation as a team-first player earned him respect around the league and in his The Player's Tribune article, he listed Jae Crowder, Tim Duncan, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala as his favorite glue guys to watch.
It is no surprise to see the names on Battier's list as each player has a defensive reputation and a willingness to do whatever is needed on the court. The former Blue Devil was in the later stages of his career when he was asked by Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra to defend power forwards so LeBron James could conserve his energy. Battier's defensive prowess guarding bigger players paid off and he was rewarded with two championship rings during his tenure with the Heat.
Players like Battier are a commodity in the modern NBA as players are asked to do more than ever on both sides of the ball. The Warriors have formulated the blueprint for success and it will be up to the rest of the league to keep up.
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