The Chris DeMarco era begins — what does that look like for the Liberty?

There’s a new era for women’s basketball in New York and Chris DeMarco is responsible for leading the charge.

DeMarco agreed to be the next head coach of the Liberty after GM Jonathan Kolb underwent a two-month search with the goal to “evolve” in order to stay modern in an ever-changing WNBA landscape.

So what does that look like for a Liberty team hoping to keep its championship window open?

DeMarco, a 13-year assistant coach in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors, is expected to hang his hat on defense. He’s been in charge of the Warriors’ defense since 2018.

That same commitment to that end of the floor should remain as soon as Demarco officially begins his work with the Liberty.

Having Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones — both unrestricted free agents Kolb expects to return — still exhibiting elite defense as anchors in the paint works in Demarco’s favor and is a good starting point as the Liberty work to get back atop the WNBA in defensive categories.

The Liberty ranked sixth in both defensive rating and opponents points per game in 2025 after ranking third in those categories in 2024.

The returns of 2024 All-Defensive Team awardees Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (knee injury) and Natasha Cloud (UFA) bolster the perimeter defending, too.

DeMarco’s time leading defense in Golden State for Steve Kerr resulted in the Warriors ranking in the top half of defensive categories numerous times.

At the team’s peak, they dominated with players — undersized or not — buying in to a scheme featuring versatility and switching.

In some years with DeMarco on the sideline, the Warriors’ defense was regarded as one of the best in the NBA. They were expected to generate stops in key moments. And they were very successful doing so.

Whether it was an undersized stalwart like Draymond Green, a defensive workhouse in his prime like Klay Thompson, a freakishly long athlete like Kevin Durant, or a 6-6 forward like Andre Iguodala defending bigger frontcourt players, the Warriors were a nightmare for opposing offenses to game plan against.

DeMarco will now attempt to replicate that with the Liberty.

Sabrina Ionescu is already touted as one of the game’s best point guards.

But with a new offensive philosophy, there’s a chance her game can reach a new level in Brooklyn.

The Warriors thrived on pushing pace, eliminating too much isolation basketball and using the foundation of the triangle offense to get key players open while allowing all five on the floor to remain scoring threats.

The basketball world became enamored with how much off-ball movement and screens got players open for easy shots.

Ionescu — a 35% three-point shooter in her career — could be next in line to benefit from those same actions.

After firing Sandy Brondello, Kolb mentioned in his end-of-season presser that the Liberty would “stagnate as the [shot] clock” winded down. He also noted the team would go east to west too often on possessions.

Many of those possessions occurred with Ionescu on the ball. That issue could change in 2026.

Coincidentally, another former Warriors assistant turned New York head coach — Knicks’ Mike Brown — is unleashing the same play style with All-Star guard Jalen Brunson: less iso-ball, fewer possessions with the shot clock winding down and him working harder for shots, and easier, more open looks as a result of off-ball actions.

The same could be in store for Ionescu.