Golden State Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr has come up with a tough confession amidst the team’s growing struggles to lead victories in the league this season. The Warriors currently hold a 13-14 record in the West, most recently losing a close 136-131 matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Though Stephen Curry continued carrying the team with his individual 48-point contribution, it still wasn’t enough for the Dubs to grab the win.
In a post-game conference, Steve Kerr blamed himself for this rough phase that the Warriors are facing. Speaking to the media, Kerr said,
“We got to find a way to connect the game, that’s my job. I’m not doing my job well this year. We are 13-14. We have enough talent to be better. We are losing all these close games. So, I got to Find a way to help these guys.”
A coach taking accountability for his team’s lows is something that is most expected from a championship-contending team. However, do not take Steve Kerr to be yet another coach who has never been able to produce results whenever required. He was the one who shaped the ‘Splash Brothers’ and the Warriors dynasty, leading the Warriors to their four recent championships and their most dominant run over the last decade.
Kerr also spoke about how he has been using Jimmy Butler this year. He claimed that Butler’s scoring and playmaking have declined because he hasn’t been able to put him in his right position so far. “We’ve had a few moments during the season. But we’re not able to consistently put the ball in Jimmy’s hands and let him control games like we did at the end of last year,” said Kerr.
The Warriors are struggling with a lack of rotation clarity beyond their veteran stars, partly due to how GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. built the roster and owner Joe Lacob’s reluctance to trade young players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski. The starting lineup also suffers from limited shooting and scoring threats in Butler and Green, making the offense predictable. Unlike top teams with clear roles and continuity, Golden State currently feels unsettled and average, relying heavily on Curry’s brilliance. With no immediate clarity from Kerr, attention now shifts to whether the trade deadline can bring a real turnaround
Steve Kerr Criticizes NBA’s 82-Game Schedule
Steve Kerr ignited a conversation that many coaches dare not have during their tenure. Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Kerr emailed NBA commissioner Adam Silver expressing concerns and requesting a reduction in the number of games. He believes an 82-game season is too demanding and reduces the quality of play. This comes at the very year when the league sealed a $76 billion media deal over 11 years. However, the questions around player welfare and health still remain unanswered.
Speaking to the media after a game against the Orlando Magic at the Kia Centre, Kerr expressed he was “very concerned” about the growing number of players being off the bench due to injuries. He says that the pace of the game at the moment is very high, given that everyone in the league understands it’s easier to score when you can beat the other team down the floor during transition.
“But when everybody’s doing that, the games are much faster paced, and everyone has to cover out to 25 feet because everyone can shoot 3s,” Kerr added.
Kerr’s statements hold much value as he has seen multiple players not reach their full potential due to burnout and injuries. The Warriors themselves faced a major loss last season after Stephen Curry was ruled out last month following a quad contusion while guarding Rockets’ Amen Thompson. Curry ended up missing several games and yet has to carry the team on off days like one against Portland. So, should the league pay heed to Kerr’s words before it’s too late?
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