Warriors, with Frank Vogel steering defense, determined to turn up pressure on foes
The Golden State Warriors were a middling defensive team last season, but new assistant Frank Vogel's track record has them excited. Said guard De'Anthony Melton: "We want to go for a top-3 defense."
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed confidence in the team's chances of securing a sweep, given the financial backing and talent on the roster. The Warriors arrived in Hawaii for training camp, where they joined their Valkyries, coached by Natalie Nakase. Both teams emphasized the importance of defense, particularly in the first round against the Dallas Wings.
Warriors guard De Anthony Melton echoed this sentiment, stating that they needed to focus on targeting and hitting first, followed by more aggression. Despite the Warriors' lackluster performance in the 2025-26 season, there is optimism that they can push for a top-3 defense in the league. This goal is backed by the arrival of new associate head coach Frank Vogel, whose previous teams have achieved top-three defensive finishes in 11 previous seasons.
Golden State has already implemented some of Vogel's defensive drills in Hawaii. To achieve this goal, the Warriors will need to improve in several areas, including stopping opponents' best players, shutting down role players, and creating more stops that turn into points.
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