There’s a big dialogue around the NBA that Stephen Curry doesn’t get calls. If compared to the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, that is indeed true. At the same time, some fans laugh at the notion that Curry does not get a fair whistle, largely because of how much the Warriors get away with. Notably, Draymond Green.

This discussion was again sparked on White Noise. Derrick White’s best friend, Alex Walsh, spoke about his experience watching the Celtics guard’s insufferable experience guarding Curry. A lot of that has to do with Green’s killer screen. But with Payton Pritchard on the show, he did point to something interesting for the NBA officials.

“Yeah, he gets away with some big ones,” Pritchard said on the White Noise podcast. That’s referring to the illegal screens that the former DPOY sets for his longtime teammate. However, this wasn’t just a case for Green. Even the past centers, Andrew Bogut and others on the Warriors, faced the same allegations from the NBA community. And at times, it is true.

Just look at their first-round series against the Houston Rockets last season. On one possession, Draymond Green practically ran over Fred VanVleet to create space for Stephen Curry. Any observer would have caught the illegal screen. However, the NBA referees didn’t see anything wrong with it. The same happened with Jared Vanderbilt two seasons ago when the Warriors faced the Lakers in a double overtime thriller.

It was in the Last Two Minute Report that the league admitted the illegal motion. Much of it, though, is part of Green’s nature. He tends to be strong when going for screens to allow Curry to navigate through channels. And Walsh also pointed out the officials’ helplessness. “The ref is eventually going to get to a point where you just can’t blow the whistle every possession,” he added.

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The Golden State Warriors have built much of their offensive identity around Stephen Curry’s off-ball movement, and one of the most effective actions in their playbook is the “elevator door” screen- a double off-ball screen set by two teammates, often Draymond Green and another big like Kevon Looney or Andrew Wiggins- positioned at the top of the key or elbow during their Warriors tenure.

This action, popularized during the Warriors’ dynasty years (2015–2019 championships), functions like elevator doors closing in tandem to “trap” the defender chasing Curry as he curls around the screens for a catch-and-shoot three or pull-up jumper.

Draymond Green’s screening prowess is the linchpin of these actions, but his style- characterized by subtle (and sometimes blatant) movement- has long skirted NBA officiating standards, making Curry exponentially harder to contain.

A moving screen (illegal under Rule 12B, Section IX, which requires the screener to be established and stationary before contact) occurs when the screener slides, leans, or advances into the defender’s path.

Green, a 6’6″ forward with guard-like footwork, excels at “pindown” and “rip” screens in the elevator door setup, where he uses his hips and shoulders to initiate contact prematurely, effectively bodying defenders 2–3 feet off Curry’s path.

It’s going to continue being a conversation till they both play together.

Payton Pritchard is in awe of the Warriors’ unstoppable Stephen Curry plan

Superstars in the league find ways to make things happen. Stephen Curry is at the very top of players who can do unimaginable things on the court. He’s a threat from anywhere on the court. But even defending him is a pain in itself. Aside from the threat of him having the ball, the Warriors thrive using his off-ball movement.

“I mean, it’s it is somebody that doesn’t stop moving, is the hardest person to guard… I mean, he cuts and then you’re like, look, and he’s over here and he’s coming off. He’s setting a pin down. It’s like, yeah,” Payton Pritchard said about defending Curry. It is a workout in itself. Because the real threat is Curry’s movement.

On top of all that, Draymond Green is an excellent screen setter. Their two-man game is prolific and a huge part of the Warriors’ offense. Their understanding together leaves opponents drained. They aren’t just following Curry, but also taking hard hits from Green throughout the game. The Celtics faced their wrath three seasons ago in the NBA Finals.

Derrick White says, “he just imposes his will and we really didn’t have an answer for that,” when talking about Stephen Curry’s finals performance. Even guarding both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving didn’t compare to that experience. Likewise, it even helped him improve as a defender. But this is the Warriors’ trump card.

Teams know exactly what’s coming with Stephen Curry. He won’t stay in the same spot for more than 5 seconds. Still, it’s been a sustainable strategy for the Warriors through all these years.

Complemented by Green’s influence, the Warriors always have a stable foundation to build around. And their preseason performances show that age doesn’t define their impact.

With the team they have, do you think the Warriors can win the championship this season? Let us know your views in the comments below.