Has Kerr lost team’s locker room?
DO YOU HAVE ANY INSIGHT INTO THE VIBE AROUND DUBS? HAS STEVE KERR “LOST” THE TEAM? — BUD >> Stephen Curry’s comments after Sunday’s loss in Atlanta were telling: “You cannot play the way that we’ve played the last significant stretch and expect things to change. We have to make the necessary adjustments,” he said. “Losing sucks... terrible feeling in the locker room.”
It’s no wonder why the locker room is an unhappy place: The Warriors have lost seven of their last eight games, including three straight on the road. Yes, Curry missed five of those games, but Golden State was just 1-2 in the games he did play — so that’s not an excuse.
Because reporters aren’t allowed in locker rooms this season, I can’t give you a first-hand account of the vibe, but I do get the sense that two things are wearing on this team: Constant fouling and mixed priorities.
The fouling issues have hit a crisis point. The Warriors have been one of the worst fouling teams in the league this season, but allowing the Hawks to take 45 free throws was a season-high for Golden State. Kerr has used film sessions, practices and media interviews to address the constant reaching, biting on pump fakes and the like, but nothing seems to be working. With 22 games left, there isn’t much time to turn things around and it feels like this team of hackers knows it. I’d imagine Kerr’s message at this point is getting tired.
Then there are the mixed priorities. It’s understandable why the organization has put James Wiseman’s development at the top of
the to-do list, but the decision to start Wiseman runs counter to trying to win games. I’ll spare you the dorky specifics, but just know that the Warriors go from having the worst net rating in the NBA with Wiseman on the court to the 10th-best net rating when Wiseman is not playing.
This is not a mystery to coaches and players. Everyone understands that the front office is building for next year. But it does explain why players — especially those who aren’t under contract for next season — may not be motivated to leave it all out on the floor.
This is not Wiseman’s fault. After playing only 69 minutes in college, he didn’t get a summer league, missed training camp because of a positive coronavirus test, missed 11 games with a wrist injury and three for contact tracing. It’s been a season full of starts and stops. But he’s not the only one feeling it.
WITH THIS ROAD TRIP WE
HAD ALL LS AND THE ONLY THING KERR SEEMED TO SAY WAS THAT THE TEAM NEEDED TO BE “DISCIPLINED.” NOW, FROM A FAN STANDPOINT, THIS TEAM APPEARS DISJOINTED. IS THERE AN ISSUE WITH THE COACHING? — ONA MCDONOUGH >> This is not the job Kerr was hired to do. Kerr’s strength is creating an ecosystem that begets joy. For players such as Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant and other veterans, that works. They know how to work and what it takes to be at the top of their game.
But young players need constant instruction, steady consistency and lessons in how to work hard (and what to work on). Meanwhile, the Warriors are trying to hold onto the joyful culture they believe they created over five straight Finals runs, and Kerr is a big part of that.
It’s tough to put it all on Kerr: He’s working with a haphazard roster, there’s pressure to play young players and he’s itching to compete. But he’d also be the first to tell you where he needs help. It’s why he expanded the player development staff in each of the last two seasons, why he’s admitted to in-game coaching mistakes and why he’s at times mixed up his strategy on both ends of the court.
It’s important to note that Kerr had no prior coaching experience before taking the Warriors job in 2014. Kerr, like so many of his players, is learning on the job and adjusting to this new reality.
IN ADDITION TO GETTING KLAY BACK NEXT SEASON, WHAT OTHER PIECES/ STARS COULD REALLY HELP US TRULY COMPETE FOR A RING NEXT SEASON? — @ STEPHEN40528303 >> Even with Thompson back, this front office needs to make some improvements on the fringes. To do that, the Warriors could have up to two lottery picks in the NBA draft, the ability to retain Kelly Oubre Jr. and will have a mid-level exception to spend in free agency.
The draft picks could be used on another young, high-end talent, or in a package to land an experienced difference-maker. If Washington makes Bradley Beal available, Golden State could offer an enticing package centered around the Minnesota pick, their own pick and Wiseman. That would rival any other package that could be offered and set up the Wizards to build for the future. For the Warriors, it would be worth it for a player who would certainly pull them back into title contention.
Short of a star such as Beal becoming available, however, the Warriors may be limited to trying to resign Oubre and other freeagent moves. Right now, I’d put my money on Oubre leaving for more money and a starting job — there are just too many opportunities out there. If that’s the case, this front office will have to hit on two or three free-agent signings and only have the MLE and minimum contracts to offer.
Brad Wanamaker not working out really hurt Golden State this season. He was supposed to be a sixth or seventh man. Instead, he was out of the rotation by the time he was traded, leaving a gaping hole in the rotation. The Warriors will need to learn from that and make better decisions about who to add this summer.