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[omahen]

GS never was a real five out team. They had the two best shooters in the league but more often than not they shared the floor with at least one (more often two) non shooters. Guards/wings like Livingston or Iguodala and bigs like Bogut, Ezeli, Looney. No team really copied their approach because as you stated Curry and Thompson were/are unique. A team that is relying on off ball screens and split actions to creat cutting lanes or open 3s instead of having traditional ballhandlers that create the offense in the pick and roll or isolations.
When I think of the modern spread pick and roll and 5-out spacing the first team that comes to mind are the Harden Rockets after they gave up on Howard/Capela and replaced them with smaller guys like Tucker and RoCo. Ball dominant playmaker playing iso ball or pick and roll with 5-out spacing. Something most teams with talented scorers (including the Mavs) tried to copy.

For me the real difference in philosophy comes down to shot creation and passing. The Warriors and Nuggets run systems with stationary playmakers surrounded by moving players that are trying to get open on the three point line or cutting to the rim. Majority of the league (including the Mavs) are mostly running a system with playmaking guards/wings that are creating of the dribble and off ball players that aren't moving as much (spot up or cut).

Also to note. Mavs centers have been awesome against bad teams, but not so much against most of the good teams. As an example of one of the later games, Gafford was not effective against Houston small ball. Mavs did great against OKC though. That is why I am not convinced Mavs will not be forced to small balll when a quality opponent goes small ball. I hope Mavs will be able to force their style of play, lock the paint, push the transition, gather offensive rebounds. But it is also possible teams will just give DJJ or PJ the "Giddey treatment", switch every screen taking away PnR, pack the paint and hope Mavs will not make enough shots from the outside. If I am the opposing coach, this is the first thing I would try.