Warriors Embody “Defend Without Fouling” Philosophy
Steve Kerr has long been an advocate for a disciplined defensive approach, often repeating the mantra “defend without fouling” throughout his 12 years as head coach of the Golden State Warriors. This season, the Warriors have not only embraced this philosophy but are excelling at it. As of Wednesday, they are allowing just 22.1 free-throw attempts per game, marking the second-fewest in the league.
Historical Context of Free Throws Allowed
One might assume that during their championship runs, the Warriors consistently held a top-ranking in opponent free-throw attempts. Surprisingly, that’s not the case. In fact, none of the championship-caliber teams in the last two decades managed to break into the top ten for this statistic. The closest was the 2019-20 season, a year defined by injuries to stars like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, where the Warriors finished 10th.
Looking further back, the 2003-04 squad managed an eighth-place finish, but to find a more significant achievement, one must travel back to the 1985-86 season, when the Warriors ranked seventh. Even more astonishing is the fact that the last time a Warriors team finished in the top five for free throw attempts allowed was in the 1972-73 season. That team featured notable Hall of Famers such as Nate Thurmond and Rick Barry, playing in an NBA landscape with just 17 teams.
Sustaining the Momentum
The question now arises: can the Warriors maintain this impressive defensive trend? From February 8 until the end of last season, the team ranked ninth in free throw attempts allowed per game, coinciding with the arrival of Jimmy Butler. Given their recent success, the challenge lies in continuing this defensive prowess over a full season.
As Golden State looks to solidify their status as a defensive powerhouse, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching to see if this commitment to disciplined play can yield not only a historic ranking but also pave the way for postseason success. The early signs are promising, and Kerr’s teachings are clearly resonating on the court.
