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Golden State Warriors: Andrew Bogut will help with defensive communication

By Pete Hernandez III

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 2: Andrew Bogut #12 of the Golden State Warriors shakes hands with Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game One of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 2, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 2: Andrew Bogut #12 of the Golden State Warriors shakes hands with Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game One of the 2016 NBA Finals on June 2, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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There is a multitude of reasons the Golden State Warriors decided to bring Andrew Bogut back to the Bay. Among them: his help communication on defense.

The Golden State Warriors have had an open 15th roster spot for a majority of this season, and the widespread belief was that the vacant spot would eventually be filled in the form of a big or center. Luckily, they have managed to sign former Warrior, Andrew Bogut.

With Damian Jones out with a pectoral injury, Jordan Bell regressing in year two and DeMarcus Cousins still on the road to recovery, depth at the center spot became important.

After a season in Australia where he reportedly got leaner, healthier, and actually won MVP, the former first overall pick is looking to return to the Warriors. This front office decision has “defense” written all over it, particularly against the centers out West (Steven Adams, Clint Capela, Nikola Jokic) as well as a possible Finals opponent (Joel Embiid).

Bogut won’t play big minutes, and he’ll likely defer to rotations with the second unit. But his impact will be greatly felt in an area that has been the Achilles heel for Golden State as of late: defensive communication.

The Warriors are ranked 16th in defensive rating this season. They are allowing close to 111 points per 100 possessions. They clearly have capable defenders on the court, so what is the reason for their dip in defensive performance? Help communication, and it has resulted in opponents getting easy buckets.

This is where Andrew Bogut can show even greater value. Anthony Slater of The Athletic made a great point of this in his recent article, including an excerpt on how Bogut helped Draymond Green in particular on the defensive end:

“When the Warriors burst onto the title scene, Green was paired in the frontcourt with Andrew Bogut, a wily, communicative big who groomed Green. Green once said he wouldn’t be half the defender he is today without Bogut.”

Take a look at the center spot depth for the Warriors, and you can see how defensive communication could welcome a boost.

Cousins is still on the path to recovery, a step slow and still learning the system. Bell, although talented, is still young and learning even in year two. Kevon Looney, perhaps the most trusted defensively, is not the most outspoken by a long shot.

Having a center on the floor that is noticeably more vocal, keen to calling out switches and having a knack for defensive awareness might give this Warriors team a needed defensive improvement just before the playoffs.

It also doesn’t hurt that Bogut would be Golden State’s biggest center (7’0) and could help by taking away some potential foul calls away from DeMarcus Cousins, which could be invaluable during playoff crunch time.

Though it has been a while, Bogut has played under Steve Kerr, in the playoffs, and has experience with his system in Golden State. He helped groom Draymond Green into a DPOY, and while he may not play the big minutes anymore, he can help steer this team back in the right direction defensively.

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