Kerr says NBA Finals hangovers are very real
There's still no reason to think that a fourth consecutive NBA Finals matchup between Golden State and Cleveland cannot happen, even though both teams have been often less than razor-sharp to start this season.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr, frankly, isn't surprised by some early struggles.
Golden State has had uncharacteristic issues with turnovers and defense to start this season — though the Warriors started to look like themselves again in a 141-113 romp past the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night (Tuesday Manila time). Cleveland has dealt with defensive lapses as well, and the Cavaliers went into LeBron James' annual Halloween party this week on a three-game losing streak.
Kerr has seen this before. He played for the Chicago Bulls in 1997-98, part of a team that was coming off two straight titles but started just 8-7.
"Everybody was fried," Kerr said.
Those Bulls figured things out, eventually finishing off a repeat three-peat by getting their sixth title in eight seasons. And Kerr has no doubt that whatever's been plaguing the Warriors and Cavaliers in October will be long forgotten when the playoffs start in April.
"It's not easy," Kerr said. "I think that's the hardest thing probably for people to understand, fans, media, whoever — whomever, my mom would want me to say — is the fatigue, the emotional and spiritual fatigue that sets in when you've been going to The Finals. That's why LeBron going to The Finals seven years in a row, to me, is one of the most amazing accomplishments ever for a player in this league."
For all the talent in the Warriors' lineup, players still take their cues from Kerr.