Nearly a decade ago, the Golden State Warriors initiated a seismic shift in the NBA's defensive playbook. Their innovative tactics during the 2015 postseason not only helped secure victories but also paved the way for a basketball dynasty that continues to influence the game to this day.
The Series-Changing Shift
Throughout the 2015 NBA postseason, the Warriors made headlines with their strategic ingenuity. Perhaps the most memorable adjustment came during a second-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors, led by then-coach Steve Kerr, were trailing 2-1 when they deployed a clever defensive strategy that turned the series in their favor.
The assignment of center Andrew Bogut to guard Memphis’s Tony Allen, a player with a modest 28.2% career average from beyond the arc, was a masterstroke. This daring move effectively dared Allen, an unreliable shooter from three-point range, to take shots he wasn't comfortable with. The result was a significant reduction in Allen’s court time, dropping from nearly 35 minutes to about 21 minutes per game across the final three games of the series. The strategy paid off; the Warriors would go on to win the series and eventually, the championship.
Ripple Effects in the NBA
The Warriors' defensive innovation continues to echo through the league today. Teams have become more experimental with matchups, using unconventional assignments to disrupt opposing offenses. This strategic flexibility can be seen in various teams’ approaches to their defensive schemes.
One recent game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Boston Celtics showcased a similarly bold approach. In this matchup, Jaren Jackson Jr. was tasked with guarding Jrue Holiday, a formidable shooter since joining Milwaukee, known for consistently posting over a 40% shooting average on three-pointers. Holiday set a career-high that night with 17 three-point attempts, although he only converted four of those tries.
The Evolving Offensive Landscape
Offensively, the game has also evolved dramatically. The Boston Celtics, for example, marked the record books last year by producing the most efficient offense in NBA history. This season, they are on a path to potentially attempt more three-pointers than traditional two-point shots, highlighting the league-wide embrace of the three-point revolution.
Despite their offensive prowess, the Celtics recently faced a setback by losing to the Memphis Grizzlies in Boston. However, the Celtics’ scoring rate reflects their high-powered offense, achieving slightly above 1.2 points per possession.
Challenges in Consistency
For Jrue Holiday, this season has been a rollercoaster regarding his shooting consistency. Although he made an impressive 42.4% of his open three-pointers last season, this year's wide-open attempts have been less fruitful, with a shooting percentage of 35.8%. His performance against Memphis, although statistically not optimal, underscores his willingness to continue exploiting the perimeter, a testament to both his personal drive and the wider league trend.
The strategies pioneered by the Warriors in 2015 have fundamentally reshaped how teams approach both ends of the court. The league has undeniably become more dynamic, with teams constantly seeking the next strategic edge. As the plays become more sophisticated and the shooting ranges extend further out, fans and analysts alike await to see what ingenious innovations will redefine basketball in the next era.