Laie, HI
Day two of Golden State Warriors training camp in Hawai'i brought another morning of work, preparation and intensity as the team continued laying the foundation for the 2026-27 NBA season. With the Warriors settling into their temporary home at BYU–Hawai'i, the second day of camp offered another look at a team working to establish a new identity under head coach, Steve Kerr.
The setting may have been different from the usual NBA training environment, but the approach inside the gym was anything but relaxed. Players went through controlled 5-on-5 work while spending significant time focusing on transition play an area Kerr has identified as an important point of improvement for the Warriors entering the new season. Golden State allowed the eighth-most transition points in the NBA last season, giving the coaching staff an obvious area to address early in camp. “We were a very poor transition team last year,” Kerr said. “One of our main focal points at camp is to try to clean up our transition.” - Kerr
The Warriors also continued working with newly added defensive coach Frank Vogel, whose experience and defensive approach have already become part of the team's early camp work. Golden State has incorporated Vogel's transition defense and rebounding concepts as the coaching staff looks to create greater consistency on both ends of the floor. Vogel led the Los Angeles Lakers to a NBA Championship in 2020 when he was the head coach. He later became the Phoenix Suns head coach in the 2023-24 season and then became an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks, under head Coach Jason Kidd from 2025-26.
One of the biggest storylines surrounding this year's Warriors is the team's effort to evolve offensively. Kerr has talked about the need to “re-imagine” the Warriors, and the team has begun implementing more five out concepts during camp. The idea is simple. create more spacing, movement and decision making opportunities while allowing Golden State playmakers to operate with room around them. For a franchise that has built much of its identity around movement, spacing and three point shooting, the adjustments represent an evolution rather than a complete departure from what has made the Warriors successful. And with Stephen Curry leading the way, the Warriors have one of the game's most recognizable offensive engines to build around.
The Warriors also continued working with newly added defensive coach Frank Vogel, whose experience and defensive approach have already become part of the team's early camp work. Golden State has incorporated Vogel's transition defense and rebounding concepts as the coaching staff looks to create greater consistency on both ends of the floor. Vogel led the Los Angeles Lakers to a NBA Championship in 2020 when he was the head coach. He later became the Phoenix Suns head coach in the 2023-24 season and then became an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks, under head Coach Jason Kidd from 2025-26.
One of the biggest storylines surrounding this year's Warriors is the team's effort to evolve offensively. Kerr has talked about the need to “re-imagine” the Warriors, and the team has begun implementing more five out concepts during camp. The idea is simple. create more spacing, movement and decision making opportunities while allowing Golden State playmakers to operate with room around them. For a franchise that has built much of its identity around movement, spacing and three point shooting, the adjustments represent an evolution rather than a complete departure from what has made the Warriors successful. And with Stephen Curry leading the way, the Warriors have one of the game's most recognizable offensive engines to build around.
Entering his 18th NBA season, 4 time NBA Champion, Stephen Curry, entered camp healthy and appeared comfortable during the team's first practices in Hawai'i, giving Golden State an important foundation as the team begins putting its new concepts into action. "Its a cool vibe, like we're here for a week, you get to play in front of a different fan base and a different arena. We appreciate the love we get out here." - curry on opening day of training camp.
Hawai'i Provides a Different Kind of Camp For the players and coaches, training camp in Hawai'i is also about building relationships away from the court. The Warriors have brought family members and loved ones along for the trip, creating an environment that Kerr described as an opportunity for bonding. The team has repeatedly emphasized the unique experience of beginning a season in the Islands, where the setting allows players to spend time together while maintaining the focus and intensity required of an NBA training camp.
For the community, the Warriors presence has turned Laie into an NBA training ground. Fans have been able to see some of the league's biggest names in person, while local basketball players and young athletes have the opportunity to experience professional basketball much closer to home.
The Warriors time in Hawai'i is ultimately building toward one destination. After several days of training at BYU–Hawai'i, Golden State will travel to Honolulu for a preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, oct. 4 at 1 p.m. HST. The game will bring together two NBA teams that have spent the week preparing on O'ahu, creating a unique preseason experience for Hawai'i basketball fans. For Curry and the Warriors, it is also an opportunity to put some of the work from camp into action. Curry has already joked about wanting to make up for his 2024 preseason performance in Hawai'i, when he went without a made three-pointer during Golden State's matchup on O'ahu. This time, the Warriors return with another season ahead and another opportunity to give Hawai'i fans a close up look at one of the NBA's most recognizable franchises.
The Warriors time in Hawai'i is ultimately building toward one destination. After several days of training at BYU–Hawai'i, Golden State will travel to Honolulu for a preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, oct. 4 at 1 p.m. HST. The game will bring together two NBA teams that have spent the week preparing on O'ahu, creating a unique preseason experience for Hawai'i basketball fans. For Curry and the Warriors, it is also an opportunity to put some of the work from camp into action. Curry has already joked about wanting to make up for his 2024 preseason performance in Hawai'i, when he went without a made three-pointer during Golden State's matchup on O'ahu. This time, the Warriors return with another season ahead and another opportunity to give Hawai'i fans a close up look at one of the NBA's most recognizable franchises.
Pictures taken by: Kennedy Velasco - @kennnchapo
Warriors back in Hawai'i
Video BY: Alan Velasco - @oscalev_
