Warriors soldier on without Kerr
Staff follows coach’s mantra, game advice
Golden State Warriors defensive guru Ron Adams was discussing by phone Monday the challenge of facing the Utah Jazz in the second round of the NBA playoffs without their head coach and leader Steve Kerr.
But just as Adams’ train of thought picked up steam, the 69year-old coach with a bigger-than-basketball view that makes him so beloved in the Warriors world was derailed at the team practice facility.
“While we were talking, (Warriors center) Zaza (Pachulia) was at one end of the floor kicking soccer balls at me,” Adams told USA TODAY Sports, laughing. “No, it’s good. That kind of exemplifies our program.”
Of course, the Warriors are worried about Kerr, who is out indefinitely for the second time in the last two seasons because of a back issue that was caused by an unsuccessful surgery two summers ago.
Of course, they wish former head coach Mike Brown had been allowed to stay in his role as lead assistant rather than fill in for Kerr like Luke Walton did for the first half of the 2015-16 regular season.
And, of course, they realize the timing couldn’t be tougher, with the postseason in full swing and with so many top-tier teams still standing in their way.
But if there’s one thing the Warriors might do even better than playing basketball, it’s realizing the power of positivity. It’s a healthy perspective that has everything to do with Kerr, the third-year coach whose impact on their culture has been profound since he came to town in May 2014 and who continues to deal with headaches, nausea and pain stemming from the surgery in July 2015.
So whether it’s Pachulia kicking soccer balls at one of his coaches or the toddlers of various players teaming up for playground-style fun after practices, the family environment that has had so much to do with their success remains, even if Kerr is not always there.
It’s a testament to what Kerr has helped build. And their shared hope is that Kerr returns to his familiar role sooner rather than later.
“We have kind of a unique staff,” said Adams, who has been an assistant since 1992 and works alongside fellow assistants Jarron Collins, Bruce Fraser, Willie Green and Chris DeMarco. “Everyone pitches in. Everyone contributes. Everyone gets along, so that’s kind of our model.”
Brown, who served as Cleveland Cavaliers head coach on two occasions (2005-10, including an NBA Finals appearance in 2006-07; and 2013-14) and Los Angeles Lakers head coach from May 2011 to November 2012 before joining the Warriors last summer, is the relative newcomer in the bunch.
“Mike has been great at understanding all of this and trying to continue on in a similar vein as Steve has kind of outlined for us,” Adams said. “That’s not simple. We’re all different, but he’s really been so thoughtful in dealing with the team and obviously listening to Steve, talking to Steve, trying to implement the things that Steven thinks are important going into a series.”
Kerr isn’t completely gone. While he still receives treatment and testing at Stanford University, he also takes part in the Warriors’ planning behind the scenes.
“Steve might be on his back a little bit at the moment, but he’s aware and watching tape and thinking,” Adams said. “He has time to do a lot of stuff, perhaps in a different manner than when you’re working in the herd. So we all listen to his take, and then certainly go from that point on.
“He’s very involved in the team. I’m sure he’s texting players and doing all that sort of stuff. But just in the direction, and analyzing the series, what he thinks is important, rotation patterns and all this sort of thing, Steve is involved on his end. I think our fans can rest assured that he’s awake, alert and involved. That’s how it is. …
“Now Mike has to wear a different hat, but everyone steps it up a little. (But) from the leadership standpoint, the messaging standpoint, once someone has started that process and then he’s not here, we certainly feel that. Obviously, Steve’s leadership in general is what we miss.”