Kerr hopes for return to bench in 2-3 weeks.
Coach still having headaches as result of back surgeries
OAKLAND — Warriors coach Steve Kerr indicated Wednesday that he could return to the team sooner than later.
“I’m still hoping in the next two to three weeks to be back on the bench,” he told the Associated Press.
Kerr was at Oracle Arena before the Warriors’ game against the Phoenix Suns and attended shootaround earlier in the day after showing up at practices earlier in the week.
Kerr is still experiencing some headaches from complications from two offseason back surgeries, but appears to be more active.
“The more he can do, the better, and he was very active in shootaround today, and obviously we’ll continue to encourage him to do as much as he wants when he’s with us,” Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton said.
The Warriors have offered no timeline for his return from a leave of absence, but this homestand over the next two weeks could offer him a chance to test his ability to coach.
“He has put weight back on and just looks like he’s feeling better moving around more,” center Andrew Bogut said. “It’s just good to see him, so hopefully it’s a matter of time before he’s out there.”
Guard Shaun Livingston said, “He has a lot more energy. I think coming off this trip, it was good for him to stay home and just kind of get that rest, charge up the batteries. It looks like he’s feeling better.
“Every day is probably a new day for him. I kind of know that process going through rehab and stuff. You have good and bad days, but he’s had two really good days, so he’ll try to build on that.”
Livingston said he could tell Kerr was more energetic because he was being more vocal.
“You can tell he’s himself a little bit more when he’s kind of cracking jokes and cracking on himself,” Livingston said. “And he’s speaking up more in practice.
“If he’s deliberate and he’s kind of firm with his voice and what he’s saying and his point, you can tell that’s kind of like his personality, you know? But when he’s laid-back and quiet, then that’s probably when he’s not having his best days.”