Warriors aren’t complaining about schedule
Injured players such as Curry can use the time off
OAKLAND >> Steve Kerr chuckled to himself when asked if the ease of the Warriors’ schedule over the next week could hurt his team.
“I can’t have it both ways,” Kerr said Sunday.
The Warriors, who just finished a six-game road trip, will play only two games over the next nine days, something that could potentially effect the team’s rhythm.
But Kerr said he’s far from complaining. This stretch will give the team a chance to sharpen its execution and also allow its injured players a chance to rest.
Both Patrick McCaw (nose contusion) and Zaza Pachulia (sore left shoulder) participated in Sunday’s practice. McCaw, who sustained a concussion against New Orleans on Dec. 4, completed the final step of the league’s concussion protocol Sunday and will be re-examined before Monday’s game against Portland. He’s listed as questionable pending the doctor’s final approval.
Kerr said he’s going to be cautious with Pachulia, who’s listed as doubtful. Draymond Green (sore right shoulder) is probable against the Trail Blazers.
Stephen Curry, who is expected to be sidelined at least another nine days with a sprained right ankle, wore street clothes to Sunday’s practice. He was not wearing a walking boot, but he appeared to have a slight limp as he walked around the facility.
Kerr said he’s grateful Curry’s injury coincides with this part of the schedule.
“If this had come at a stretch when we had six games in nine days, obviously that would’ve been a blow,” Kerr said. “I don’t know when he’s going to be back, but I know that it’s nice that we’re not playing many games while he’s going through this.”
• When the NBA schedule was released in August, Kerr pointed to the Warriors’ grueling six-game trip in December, and said that would an important barometer for the team.
“You think, ‘If we can get through this stretch in a good position, then we’ll be in great shape,’ ” Kerr said.
After the Warriors became just the 11th team in NBA history to go 6-0 over a six-game trip, Kerr said there were a few great takeaways.
There was bonding. There was an improvement in defense. And there was Green.
“Over this last road trip, to me, that’s when he really put it all together with the intensity defensively and the composure,” Kerr said. “To me, right now, he’s exactly where he needs to be.”
Kerr said Green had a bit of a rocky start this season.
“I thought the first seven games, he was a little scattered emotionally,” Kerr said. “I thought he was too emotional.”
He said that shifted when the Warriors played the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 30. Since then, he’s been more together, smarter.
And over this past trip, Kerr said Green found his edge.
That was particularly evident in the team’s 102-98 win over Detroit on Friday, when Green had a careerhigh-tying six blocked shots and a season-high-tying 13 assists.
Kerr’s one critique of Green from that game was that he hesitated a bit with his shot. But when asked to describe Green’s defensive performance, Kerr did not hesitate.
“He was brilliant,” Kerr said.
• The Warriors are far and away leading the league in blocked shots.
They have 234 blocked shots this season, 76 more than the second-place team in that category, the San Antonio Spurs, who have 158 blocks.
“We have a smart, athletic defensive team and it shows in the blocked-shots category,” Kerr said.