The Loss of Andrew Bogut Will Hurt Warriors Defense

The loss of Andrew Bogut will hurt the Warriors defense, which may be the only concern going into the 2016-17 season.

The 2016-17 Golden State Warriors have already been anointed the best team in NBA history with the addition of four-time scoring champion and MVP, Kevin Durant. Durant will play alongside two-time MVP Stephen Curry, two-time all-star Klay Thompson and all-star Draymond Green. The Warriors have essentially created their own “superteam” with the acquisition of Durant but it has come at a cost.

Starting small forward Harrison Barnes and center Andrew Bogut were shipped to Dallas to make room for Durant. Along with Barnes and Bogut, the Warriors lost most of their bench that was so vital over the last two seasons. Barnes is easily replaceable with the addition of Durant but Bogut is a completely different story.

Bogut was the Warriors last line of defense and is one of, if not, the best presence in the paint on defense in the league. Not only would he stop and frustrate some the best bigs in the game, just ask Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin and DeMarcus Cousins but just his presence would deter point guards from getting to the rim.

Bogut did not have eye-opening blocked shots per game that Rudy Gobert or Hassan Whiteside had but Bogut probably changed more shots than any other paint player in the NBA. Bogut was such a dominant player last season that he led the entire league in Defensive Real Plus-Minus, meaning when he was on the floor, opponents would score much less than when he was not on the court.

The Warriors definitely felt his loss in the NBA Finals where they would ultimately lose to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bogut suffered a severe knee injury in Game 5, attempted to alter and block JR Smith’s shot at the rim. Many people remember that Green was suspended for Game 5 because of his extracurricular activity with LeBron James at the end of Game 4 but the absence of Bogut starting early in the third quarter also hurt the Warriors immensely.

The Warriors were dominated in the paint, being outscored by an average of 15 points per game in Games 5 through 7. Much of this damage was due to penetration by James and Kyrie Irving, scoring at will with no Bogut in the paint. The Warriors tried to go small like they did in the 2015 Finals but their small lineup did not play as well and the Cavaliers took advantage of their lack of size.

While Bogut was a great defender for the Warriors, his offensive game was lacking to say the least. Many times, Bogut would frustrate Warriors fans with his lack of aggressiveness in the paint, settling for jump hooks instead of dunking. Much of this lack of aggressiveness was due to his fear of going to the foul line where he would be lucky to hit one of two. Even if he was wide open under the hoop, that fear would induce him into the occasional jump hook.

While Bogut was a great passer and would roll to the hoop from time to time for a lob dunk, Warriors fans were ready for a center with an offensive game, especially if it meant the Warriors would acquire Durant. The Warriors did exactly that by signing Zaza Pachulia to a one-year contract, who is the complete opposite of Bogut.

Pachulia is known for his offensive game, hitting the occasional 15-footer and scoring in the paint. He shoots a high percentage from the foul line and is a relentless offensive rebounder. While he thrives on the offensive end, he struggles on defense. He is not a paint presence like Bogut and rarely changes his opponents shots. His only plus on defense is his rebounding prowess, which should help the Warriors against bigger teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers.

On paper, the Warriors might score 120 points per game but it is not offense that wins championships, it is defense, something the Warriors know all too well. The loss of Bogut will hurt the Warriors defense, which may be the only concern going into the 2016-17 season. This team is set up to win multiple championships as long as Durant can fit in and gel with the Warriors young core.

The Warriors should win next season but if they do not, it may be because of their defense. Bogut was a huge part of that defense so while adding Durant looks great on paper, Warriors fans will not be so supportive if it results in another Finals lost.