Warriors want Frank Vogel’s defense to ‘punch first’

The Warriors want to play better defense this season. Actually, they want to start punching people.

Figuratively, we should probably emphasize.

“We’re not being targeted, we gotta go target teams,” De’Anthony Melton said at training camp, according to Luca Evans of the San Francisco Chronicle. “So, we gotta go out there and play with that aggression. And we gotta punch first. And then punch again.”

Golden State finished 17th in defensive rating last season. The goal this time around is considerably higher. “We want to go for a top-3 defense,” Melton said.

That’s one reason Steve Kerr added former Lakers and Suns coach Frank Vogel to his staff. Vogel is overseeing the defense after producing five top-three finishes during his 11 full seasons as an NBA head coach. His philosophy isn’t especially complicated.

Vogel told the Chronicle that Golden State wants to take away both layups and 3-pointers rather than willingly surrendering one to prevent the other. He also wants to make life difficult for stars without allowing opposing role players to beat the Warriors instead.

There are personnel questions, particularly with Kristaps Porzingis‘ health uncertain. Still, the Warriors aren’t hiding what they want to become.

They spent much of media day talking about reimagining themselves. Apparently that includes throwing the first punch. Again, figuratively.