Kerr's absence on sideline has been felt
Taking questions from reporters after the Warriors barely won Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals Monday, acting head coach Mike Brown looked directly into cameras and offered Steve Kerr a plea.
“Steve, if you're watching, get healthy quick,” he said with a smile.
For six years Brown has been by Kerr's side as an assistant coach, so jumping into his shoes when the Warriors head coach tested positive for COVID-19 hours before tipoff Monday wasn't a huge leap.
But Kerr's absence has been felt. The Warriors have played sloppy while he's been away and outright embarrassed themselves in a Game 5 opportunity to clinch this series against the Memphis Grizzlies.
“It's definitely different,” Kevon Looney said after shootaround on Friday, hours before Game 6 at Chase Center. “But, you know, he's done a great job of establishing the culture and the game plan. Mike Brown and the rest of the coaching staff is an extension of him. We miss him, but it still feels like he's here.”
Though Kerr's absence doesn't leave anyone on the Warriors' coaching staff unprepared — they're all on the same page — his leadership and decision-making have been a major missing piece as the Warriors navigate new challenges in this series.
Brown also has plenty of experience jumping into the playoff coaching seat. He went 11-0 filling in as head coach during the 2017 playoffs when Kerr dealt with complications following back surgery. But things are different this time, Brown says. During shootaround and practices as a defensive coordinator, Brown is usually not involved in the offense portion of practice.
“Prior to this year, I did both. I helped with the defense and offense, so I floated,” Brown said. “So I had a better feel for what we were doing offensively. These last two games I've learned a lot of what we're really trying to focus on offensively. That's the biggest thing, having a crash course on that side of the floor.”
Kerr, quarantined at home, is still digitally very involved in the coaching decisions and support. He participates in coaches meetings on videoconference and texts players individually. Brown says he and Kerr talk three times a day.