Curry seems to be settled with new fourth-quarter role
SACRAMENTO >> Unlike the legions of Stephen Curry fans, the Warriors’ star has accepted his new staggered role to his head coach’s liking.
“He’s done a great job of handling it,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “It may not be ideal for him. But he understands this is the best thing for us right now. We have to put the best groups together.”
The Warriors entered Saturday’s game against the Sacramento Kings with Curry spending the previous nine games opening the second and fourth quarters before subbing out midway through the fourth.
Although Kerr has inserted Curry back into crunch time, that dynamic has prompted hand-wringing on whether that approach has contributed to the Warriors’ 5-4 record since the role change.
Kerr found that talking point “ironic” considering Curry has logged more fourthquarter minutes than in his previous role. In the Warriors’ overtime loss to Houston,
Curry left with 6:48 left in the game and then entered the game three minutes later.
“It’s not like the overall fourth-quarter time and volume is waning,” Kerr said. “In fact, it’s increased. He’s played more fourthquarter minutes. It’s just different.”
Kerr recently had Klay Thompson or Kevin Durant to open the second quarter with the team’s second unit. But Kerr found that ineffective considering Thompson’s season-long shooting struggles and the team’s reserves overly relying on Durant’s isolation-heavy scoring.
In Curry’s case, the Warriors can both take advantage of his floor spacing, shooting either as a playmaker or moving off-the ball. Kerr has featured Curry with Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala, Jonas Jerebko and Draymond Green for nine games in a combined 47 minutes. According to NBA.com, that lineup has produced an offensive rating of (114), which is the number points averaged based on 100 possessions.
Kerr added that “this may or may not be what we do the rest of the year” considering he is “exploring a lot of different things.” But after coaching games, watching footage and reviewing the analytics, Curry’s role will stay the same until further notice.
“This has been the most successful and looks the best,” Kerr said. “We’ll keep doing it. We’ll continue to explore as we go.”
• Saturday was the first day NBA teams could sign players to 10-day contracts. How likely would the Warriors sign a free-agent or GLeague player for their 15th roster spot?
For what it’s worth, Kerr said he has not spoken to Warriors general manager
Bob Myers just yet about this. After all, the NBA trade deadline is on Feb. 7, which will likely coincide with plenty of deals and buyouts.
Regardless, the Warriors hope to use that spot for another center amid a seasonending injury to third-year center Damian Jones and ongoing rehab for DeMarcus Cousins’ left Achilles tendon.
“There’s no question we’re leaving that 15th spot open for an addition to help the group,” Kerr said. “What that means whether it’s a 10 day at some point, a buyout guy or trading for somebody, those option are all available to us. But as of right now, we’re not in a rush to do anything.”
• Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins missed the team’s trip to Sacramento to attend the funeral of his grandmother in Mobile, Alabama. Kerr believes that Cousins will return either Monday or Tuesday. The Warriors do not plan to practice today.
Meanwhile, Kerr listed Cousins as “day-to-day” regarding his rehab with a left Achilles tendon. He has spent the past week scrimmaging with the Warriors.
“He’s working really, really hard and we’re really pleased with his effort,” Kerr said. “We’re not going to put a timetable on it. We’re not going to put a date on the calendar. We’ll see. When he’s ready, he’s ready.”