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The new season is about to begin, and the Warriors stand at a crucial crossroads in a complete reinvention of defense. Coach Steve Kerr made a declaration to the media after the start of training camp: "The Warriors will reinvent defense this season. These words are full of determination and confidence, but behind them, there are a series of challenges and problems.
Last season, the Warriors had major problems on the defensive end. Their defensive efficiency has plummeted and they have lost a lot of points, in stark contrast to their championship-winning season. In their championship-winning season, they were known for their strong defensive performances, but last season, they were no longer the team that dominated the defensive end. This huge defensive decline has also affected the team's record, especially on the road, which is one of the issues they need to address.
The Warriors' defensive problems stem in part from the characteristics of the roster. Their players are dominated by shorter heights, which is undersized in some confrontations. Opponents are becoming increasingly adept at exploiting this weakness to put the Warriors in a difficult position. The decline in defensive efficiency is also associated with adjustments in the defensive lineup, especially in the interior position, where they lack a player who is more than 2.10 meters tall.
One view is that the wide difference in home and away performances of the Warriors is closely related to the referee's penalty scale. At home they performed well, while away they were in a tough game. This situation raises questions about whether the Warriors' defensive strategies and styles vary from venue to venue that contribute to this disparity in record.
Coach Steve Kerr understood the urgency of the defensive problem, and he proposed a number of solutions, including improving the player's defensive tacit understanding and movement speed, and enhancing the overall defensive flexibility. However, he also faces practical constraints, as the team's reinforcements are limited by the luxury tax during the offseason, resulting in a limited ability to replenish interior height.
In this case, Cole needs to rely on the existing squad to improve the player's defensive level and tacit understanding. He plans to reuse young players such as Kuminga, Davis Jr. and Garuba to breathe new life. Garuba, in particular, despite his modest height, has excellent reach and potential, and with the right training, he is expected to be a big helper on the defensive end of the team.
As the new season begins, coach Steve Kerr faces a huge challenge as he finds effective ways to improve his defense under limited conditions. Despite the difficulties, Cole's determination and confidence will be an important motivation for the team to overcome the difficulties. The Warriors must break through on the defensive end to make their mark again in the new season.