The Golden State Valkyries are on a mission to solidify their defensive prowess and establish themselves as the top defensive team in the WNBA. This season, they've built upon their successful defensive strategy from last year, which saw them ranked third in the league. However, their journey towards defensive dominance is far from complete.
The Defensive Mindset
What sets the Valkyries apart is their unwavering commitment to defense as the foundation of their game. Forward Kayla Thornton sums it up perfectly: "We're a defense team first, and then our offense goes." This mindset is a bold statement in a league where offensive prowess often takes center stage.
A Work in Progress
Despite their impressive defensive rating and ranking, the Valkyries aren't resting on their laurels. Point guard Veronica Burton's words echo the team's determination: "Definitely not satisfied." The team's performance has been inconsistent, with some games showcasing their high-level execution and others falling short.
Key Acquisitions
The Valkyries have bolstered their defensive roster with the signings of former WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Gabby Williams and former first-team defensive player Kiah Stokes. These acquisitions, along with the presence of all-WNBA second-team defender Burton, form the core of their defensive-minded lineup. The team's strategy revolves around stealing the ball, forcing errors, and creating interference to disrupt their opponents' offensive flow.
Shutting Down the Paint
One of the Valkyries' strengths is their ability to shut down teams in the paint. By forcing turnovers and clogging passing lanes, they've limited opponents to just 30.0 points per game in the paint, the lowest in the WNBA. This strategy forces teams to take shots from further out, where the Valkyries' solid defense has limited opponents to a 42.5% shooting percentage.
Three-Point Defense
However, the Valkyries face a challenge in defending against three-point shots. They rank in the bottom three of all teams in preventing successful three-point attempts, with opponents making 36.9% of their shots from beyond the arc. This vulnerability allows teams to find a way to score against the otherwise formidable Valkyries defense.
Rebounding: A Key Factor
Since the majority of shots taken against the Valkyries don't go in, rebounding becomes a critical aspect of their game. Coach Natalie Nakase emphasizes the importance of "boxing out" to claim space and grab balls from the air. The team's guards, led by Burton, have stepped up, rebounding 11.8 times per game, ranking sixth in the league. Their center rebounding, at 5.0 per game, is also respectable but not exceptional.
Height Disadvantage and Small Ball Lineup
The Valkyries' lack of size presents a challenge, with their tallest player, Kiah Stokes, often inches shorter than the opposing team's bigs. This has led to the use of a "small ball" lineup, where smaller forwards like Kayla Thornton and Janelle Salaun fill in at center. While this strategy has worked defensively in some games, it has also resulted in allowing the third-most rebounds per game in the league.
Potential Solution: Nadia Fingall
To address their height issues, the Valkyries recently signed 6-foot-4 center Nadia Fingall, a Stanford graduate with European basketball experience. Fingall's addition could provide the height and rebounding presence the team needs to solidify their defensive dominance.
Offensive Improvement
On the offensive side, the Valkyries have shown improvement compared to last season. This development provides some leeway, allowing for slight errors on the defensive end without compromising their overall performance.
The Road to Defensive Excellence
While the Valkyries' defensive scheme has largely been successful, they acknowledge that they still have work to do to reach their goal of becoming the best defensive team in the league. Coach Nakase emphasizes the need to "stay on top" of their defensive game. The team's journey towards defensive excellence is an ongoing process, and their commitment to this identity sets them apart in the WNBA.
In my opinion, the Valkyries' dedication to defense is a refreshing approach that challenges the traditional focus on offensive firepower. Their journey towards becoming the league's top defensive team is an inspiring narrative, and I look forward to seeing how they continue to evolve and adapt their strategy.
