Kerr ‘won’t hesitate’ to rest more players

Three years ago, entering his first season as the Warriors’ head coach, Steve Kerr tried to map out which days to rest his core players.

“I thought I was being really smart,” Kerr recalled before Tuesday night’s game against Miami.

As that maiden season unfolded, Kerr recognized his own naivete: It is impossible to predict when someone will need a night off. Developments like Tuesday’s, when Kerr rested

Klay Thompson after watching Thompson play through illness the previous two games, are just part of the randomness that comes with the NBA grind.

It marked the first time this season Kerr had given one of his four core players — Thompson, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green —a night off. Previously, rest had been reserved for elder statesmen David West, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston. In the six weeks until the All-Star break, a stretch commonly deemed the “dog days” of the 82-game regular season, Kerr said he “won’t hesitate” to rest players who need it. Just don’t expect him to start circling potential rest days on his calendar.

“I can’t predict it, but I can say there are certain times when you’re worn down,” Kerr said.

“If I see that with someone else, I’ll sit that guy, too.”

Thin backcourt: Kerr leaves questions about personnel moves to general manager Bob

Myers. But with the NBA’s Feb. 23 trade deadline nearing, Kerr is willing to admit one thing: The backcourt could use more depth.

With Patrick McCaw replacing Thompson in the starting lineup Tuesday, the Warriors had only two backup guards: Livingston and Ian Clark.

“We are a little vulnerable,” Kerr said before the game. “If we happen to get another injury tonight while Klay’s already sitting out, yeah, we’re vulnerable. That is something that we talk about and think about.”

White House: The polarizing nature of President-elect Donald Trump raises a couple of intriguing questions: If Golden State wins another NBA title this season, would the team make its customary visit to the White House? How would coaches react if players didn’t want to attend?

“I certainly hope that we have to have that decision to make,” Kerr said with a smile.