Nearly a decade ago, the NBA witnessed a defensive revolution courtesy of the Golden State Warriors. Their innovative approach, deployed during the 2015 postseason, not only propelled them to the top of the basketball hierarchy but also influenced the game on a league-wide scale. This tactical ingenuity was on full display in the second-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies and has continued to echo through the strategies of contemporary NBA teams.
In the 2015 series, with the Warriors trailing 2-1 against the Grizzlies, head coach Steve Kerr made a pivotal adjustment that altered the trajectory of the matchup. The decision to assign Andrew Bogut, a towering center, to guard Tony Allen was unconventional. Allen, known primarily for his defensive prowess, had a career three-point shooting average of 28.2%, making him seemingly less of a perimeter threat. This strategic gamble allowed the Warriors to collapse defensively, daring Allen to shoot from beyond the arc while effectively cutting off other offensive options for the Grizzlies.
The strategy bore fruit immediately. Allen's court time dwindled from nearly 35 minutes to about 21 minutes across the final three games. This defensive maneuver choked Memphis' offensive flow and enabled the Warriors to capture the series. It marked not only a pivotal moment in the 2015 postseason but also a seminal point in the Warriors' establishment as a basketball dynasty. The ripples of Kerr's tactical shift were felt throughout the league, heralding a new era where strategic adjustments and matchup exploits became paramount.
A League-Wide Influence
The Warriors' approach has since inspired numerous NBA teams to innovate their defensive strategies. The Boston Celtics, possessing the most efficient offense in NBA history last season, illustrate how modern teams continually adapt and realign their playing styles. As the Celtics forge a path towards shooting more three-pointers than two-pointers this season, their scoring efficiency slightly exceeds 1.2 points per possession.
A game against Memphis highlighted these evolving trends. Although the Celtics suffered a defeat on their home court against the Grizzlies, it was an encounter that underscored the league's three-point emphasis. Notably, Jrue Holiday, now a reliable long-range threat, attempted a staggering 17 three-pointers, his highest ever in a single game—indicative of the modern offensive philosophy.
Jrue Holiday: A Case Study in Shooting Evolution
Since his transition to Milwaukee before the 2020-21 season, Holiday has consistently shot over 40% from three-point territory. Last season he made 42.4% of open threes, yet this season, despite a reduction to 35.8% on wide-open attempts, his aggressive perimeter shooting signifies the NBA's prevailing trend towards high-volume three-point attempts.
In the game where he set a new career-high for most three-point shots attempted, Holiday made only four of his 17 shots from beyond the arc. The defensive shadow of Jaren Jackson Jr. during the game spoke volumes about modern defensive tactics that aim to contest each shot tirelessly.
Reflection on a Tactical Legacy
While strategic adjustments continue to shape the NBA's ever-evolving landscape, the strategic innovations of the Golden State Warriors in 2015 remain a blueprint for success. Their defensive maneuver against Tony Allen exemplified a broader trend of exploiting mismatches and underscores the league's shift towards three-point-centric gameplay.
As teams aim to blend historical lessons with present-day innovations, the influence of the Warriors' tactical ingenuity remains evident. It's a league that thrives on adaptation, where each game becomes a chess match of strategic wits. In a basketball arena wired with ambition and evolution, the Warriors' strategic legacy endures as a reminder of the power inherent in daring to be different.