Golden State finished way down at No. 17 in defensive rating last season, a stat that tells you everything you need to know about their struggles. But get ready, because newly hired assistant coach Frank Vogel is officially leading the charge to flip that script, and head coach Steve Kerr is absolutely buzzing about it.
Vogel Is The Defensive Boss Now
Kerr didn’t mince words about the former NBA champion coach taking the reins. He confirmed, “Frank is running the defense, obviously, so we’re using some of his transition defensive drills, some of his rebounding drills.” This isn’t just a tweak, folks. This is a full-on identity shift. Kerr piled on the praise for Vogel, saying, “Frank is awesome. He’s a great, great coach, and he’s doing a really good job getting these guys organized, giving them kind of the expectations for how we’re going to defend, our terminology, and I’m very confident we’re going to have a good defense.”
Why A Good Defense Changes Everything
Why does all this defensive talk matter so much for a team known for lighting it up from deep? Because it’s a two-way street, right? Golden State already led the league in 3-point attempts and ranked second in made 3-pointers last season. Imagine what happens when that improved defense starts translating into wide-open perimeter jumpers in transition. This isn’t just about stopping opponents, it’s about unlocking another gear for their already potent offense. If Vogel can get them even “a good defense,” as Kerr put it, the league better watch out.
The regular season is just kicking off, but the early signs from training camp are clear: Golden State is serious about getting their defensive swagger back. Keep an eye on how quickly Vogel’s system takes hold, because if Kerr’s confidence is any indication, this team is about to look very different.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply