Golden State Warriors' Defensive Revolution: A Legacy Enduring a Decade
Nearly a decade ago, the Golden State Warriors reshaped the NBA's landscape with their groundbreaking defensive strategies. It was in the 2015 postseason that the Warriors began to rewrite the playbook on how defense could be executed, setting themselves on a path to becoming an NBA dynasty.
During their pivotal 2015 postseason, the Warriors faced a critical challenge in the second round against the Memphis Grizzlies. With the Grizzlies leading the series 2-1, the Warriors made a strategic adjustment that would alter the course of their playoff journey. Central to this adjustment was the deployment of Andrew Bogut to guard Tony Allen, a decision that veered away from traditional defensive assignments.
Tony Allen, known more for his defensive prowess than his scoring touch, had a career three-point shooting average of just 28.2%. The Warriors exploited this by allowing Bogut, typically a rim protector, to focus on Allen. This tactic, though unconventional, diminished Tony Allen’s court presence dramatically, cutting his playing time down from nearly 35 minutes to about 21 minutes over the final three games of the series. This adjustment paid dividends, as the Warriors triumphed over the Grizzlies to advance further into the playoffs.
The influence of the Warriors' strategic ingenuity continues to ripple through the league even today. NBA teams have adopted variations of these strategies, underscoring the profound impact of the Warriors' transformation.
Jrue Holiday’s Record-Setting Attempt and the Modern NBA Offense
Fast forward to recent events, and the Memphis Grizzlies found themselves part of another memorable game. Jrue Holiday, an integral piece in Milwaukee since the 2020-21 season, etched his name into the record books by attempting 17 three-pointers in a single game against the Grizzlies. This attempt marked a personal milestone for Holiday, surpassing his previous high of 13 attempts. Despite this aggressive shooting display, Holiday connected on just four of those attempts.
Jaren Jackson Jr.'s defensive assignment on Holiday could be seen as a reflection of the Warriors' past tactics—adjustments and matchups that shape the modern game. Despite the high volume, Holiday has been reliable beyond the arc, consistently shooting over 40% from three-point range since joining Milwaukee. However, this season, his accuracy on wide-open threes has dipped to 35.8%, down from 42.4% last season.
The Boston Celtics: Embracing the Three-Point Revolution
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics, known for having the most efficient offense in NBA history last year, are on track to attempt more three-pointers than two-pointers this season. With an impressive scoring rate of slightly above 1.2 points per possession, the Celtics have become a textbook example of the modern NBA offense, which is heavily reliant on three-point shooting.
In a recent rivalry match, the Celtics faced the Grizzlies on their home turf in Boston. However, this time it was Memphis who came out on top, adding another chapter to what could be a growing Grizzlies-Celtics narrative.
The strategic shifts that teams like the Warriors and Celtics have made over the years illustrate a broader trend in the NBA: the blend of innovative defensive tactics with a high-volume, precision-based offensive approach. The echoes from the Warriors’ 2015 revolution are still being heard across the league, not only in terms of defense but also in the evolving strategies around offense and three-point efficiency.