The Golden State Warriors have officially named Frank Vogel as their new associate coach.
Despite ongoing discussions about the team needing to bolster their roster around star Steph Curry, the Warriors have opted to strengthen their coaching staff instead. Vogel, whose hiring was agreed upon back in July, will focus on enhancing the team’s defense alongside head coach Steve Kerr.
Previously, Vogel worked with the Dallas Mavericks and has experience as a head coach with the LA Lakers, whom he led to an NBA championship in 2020.
Vogel is already eager to collaborate with Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, impressed by the young player’s potential.
Frank Vogel Enthusiastic About Yaxel Lendeborg
The Warriors selected Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th pick in the NBA Draft, and he’s quickly proven himself by earning Summer League MVP honors—making him look like a valuable pick.
Vogel expressed his excitement about coaching Lendeborg, telling the Mercury News that the rookie is a “dream” to coach because of his natural, unforced style of offense.
“You want players who consistently play the right way every possession,” Vogel said.
In a separate interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Vogel emphasized that the Warriors must “keep their head above water” until Miami’s Jimmy Butler returns from his ACL injury early next year. He also cautioned that anyone dismissing a team featuring Steph Curry and Draymond Green would be underestimating their strength.
Lendeborg remains something of a wildcard, but if he performs well, he could provide a crucial boost for the Warriors this season. Given the team’s struggles with recent draft picks, Vogel faces a significant challenge in guiding Lendeborg to contribute effectively on both ends of the court and secure meaningful playing time.
Fan Take: Bringing in Frank Vogel adds a proven defensive mind to the Warriors’ coaching mix, which could be the key to balancing their offensive firepower with championship-level defense. For basketball enthusiasts, this move signals that the Warriors are serious about returning to their winning ways and could reshape how defense is valued in a league often dominated by offense.
Source: nbaanalysis.net
