The Golden State Valkyries are on a mission to dominate the WNBA with their defense, aiming to be the league's best. Last season, they surprised many by securing a playoff spot with their disruptive, high-pressure defense, ranking third in the WNBA for defense. However, it wasn't enough to secure a championship, and they're now doubling down on their defensive strategy.
This season, the Valkyries have the fifth-best defensive rating in the WNBA, allowing only 80.1 points per game. They've signed former WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Gabby Williams and first-team defensive player Kiah Stokes, joining all-WNBA second-team defender Veronica Burton. This core trio forms the foundation of a defensive-minded roster.
The key to their success lies in the basics of defense: forcing turnovers and creating defensive pressure. The Valkyries lead the league in forcing turnovers, with 14.5 per game, and both Williams and Cecilia Zandalasini excel at stealing the ball. They force opponents to take shots from difficult angles and shut down the paint, allowing only 30.0 points per game from the paint, the fewest in the WNBA.
However, they struggle with three-point defense, allowing 36.9 percent of opponents' shots from beyond the arc to go in, ranking in the bottom three. This has led to a focus on rebounding, with guards rebounding 11.8 times per game and centers grabbing 5.0 rebounds per game. Despite their efforts, the Valkyries still need to address their size concerns, especially with the small-ball lineup struggling defensively.
The team's coach, Natalie Nakase, emphasizes the importance of staying on top of their defensive game, as they rely heavily on their defense. The Valkyries are a better offensive team than last season, providing some margin for error, but they still have work to do to become the league's best defensive team.
In summary, the Golden State Valkyries are on the right track with their defensive strategy, but they must continue to refine their approach and address their size concerns to reach the top of the WNBA.
