Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr held a detailed and revealing news conference after his team’s elimination from the playoffs. One of the key topics discussed was Draymond Green and why the Warriors continue to support him despite his past transgressions. Kerr explained that the relationship between Green, himself, and the Warriors is complex but rooted in loyalty and love.
Kerr also addressed the future of Klay Thompson, expressing the franchise’s desire for him to return next season. However, Kerr mentioned the possibility of Thompson coming off the bench to manage his minutes and preserve his health. He emphasized the need to add more shooting to the roster to achieve this.
Another point of discussion was rookie Jonathan Kuminga’s development as a small forward. Kerr acknowledged the challenge of finding the right lineup combinations that maximize Kuminga’s skills while maintaining a strong defensive presence. He highlighted the importance of Kuminga improving his decision-making, ballhandling, and passing abilities to thrive in different lineups.
Regarding the team’s financial situation, Kerr acknowledged the desire to improve the roster while also being mindful of sound financial decisions. He mentioned their success in finding rotation players on small contracts and expressed optimism about potentially doing so again with a second-round pick.
Moses Moody’s lack of consistent playing time was also addressed. Kerr acknowledged Moody’s need to improve his decision-making and quicken his shot release. Despite recognizing Moody’s potential, Kerr pointed out the challenge of finding minutes for him on a roster with many talented players.
Despite a disappointing end to the season, Kerr tempered panic and focused on analyzing the team’s performance and identifying areas for improvement. He emphasized the increasing difficulty of succeeding in a highly competitive conference.
The most detailed portion of Kerr’s press conference centered around Draymond Green. Kerr acknowledged Green’s flaws but praised his loyalty, competitiveness, and intelligence. He described Green as one of the smartest players he has been around but acknowledged that he sometimes makes decisions that hurt the team. Kerr spoke about Green’s past transgressions, including physical altercations on the court, and how they put his career at risk. However, Kerr expressed his commitment to helping Green be the best version of himself and acknowledged the complexity of their relationship. Ultimately, Kerr forgave Green for his actions and emphasized the need for him to stay within the boundaries set by the league and the team.
In conclusion, Kerr’s exit interview provided valuable insights into various aspects of the Warriors’ future. From addressing the potential role of Klay Thompson to discussing the development of young players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, Kerr provided a comprehensive overview of the team’s direction. Additionally, his candid comments about Draymond Green shed light on the complexities of their relationship and the team’s continued support for Green despite his past transgressions.