Washington Wizards guard Delon Wright has agreed on a contract buyout, clearing the way for him to sign with the Miami Heat upon clearing waivers, his agent Greg Lawrence tells ESPN. Another dependable veteran for the Heat’s rotation.
The Trail Blazers are signing two-way center Duop Reath on a new three-year standard NBA contract, sources tell ESPN. Reath — who has averaged 8.9 points this season — has had a remarkable path to landing in the Blazers frontline rotation and the security of this new deal.
Pretty good portrait of the team we have been watching all season. It would be interesting to see Q4 stats, especially the rebounding, turnovers, and defensive numbers - it seems like we do well and have high energy on D in the early going and then run out of gas in Q4 where opponents erase our leads and get a lot of offensive boards, but these are just my impressions, not backed by stats.
True that Saric hasn't played as well lately as earlier in the year. Consider the chemistry he has with CP3, who has been out. Saric's confidence came with the PNR he had with CP3. Let's see if he does better after the break.
One thing to consider for recent 3 pt% slump.. He had close relationships with Deki, includes becoming family friends. He used (and may be still does) to check in (home visit) with family after Deki passed away.
Not sure what goes through his mind when he is sitting on the bench watching.
Everyone could use a little time to relax and so this seems like a great time for the All Star break. It has been a slog recently both mentally and physically with lot's of drama and distractions. A little time off will probably do everyone good. Allowing the brain to calm and the body to recuperate. Give a little distance from some of the day to day stresses and maybe an opportunity to return refreshed with a more positive outcome and greater effort leading to better results.
Also, the players could probably use a break, too.
I've been plugging beach huts on Podziemski Cay for a while now. Best get your reservations in, they won't last, and the resale value when the big boys come in will be ridiculous.
I don't really trust either Steph or Klay's defense any more. That's not to say they can't play well at times, but Steph is frequently not a smart defender, and Klay's attention comes and goes.
One thing I think will be very important to see is for Steph to get a little more defensive-minded as the playoffs grow closer. He's probably just gassed now (I'm guessing the whole team is, after the road trip, then the home-road-home-road series), but we'll need him to be playing D, or we probably won't make it out of the play-in tournament.
Klay ... well we have other options if Kerr can be convinced to play them.
I don’t trust Steph bank shots or Dray floaters any more or less than I ever did (which is to say, mostly yea on Steph bank shots, mostly nay on Dray floaters).
Klay, yeah: I trust two kinds of shots less than I used to: the off balance ones, and the ones where he’s in full sprint and has to stop on a dime and pull up. Those used to be money; now I expect them to miss.
Fwiw, both Steph and Dray are above their career scoring averages (volume plus efficiency).
Watching that last possession again and wow, did we get lucky. Total miscommunication and a switch would have helped there. Sexton just bricked the cleanest look you could get on a game tying attempt.
Well, I suppose I should thank Kerr for saving me $240 a month on cable bills as, once my one-man strike on Kerr led Dubs B-ball this summer began, I no longer needed it. I can't make any observations about the games themselves, to the delight of many, since I have only caught a few games this year. I do get a game thread on my phone though, and most of this year has been spent checking in throughout the game, most notably, a quick check of JFK's minutes. Can't wait until CP3 returns and JFK gets relegated to the motorcade with Moses Moody, once again to fall victim to Kerr's veteran/"height challenged" favoritism. Does anyone think JFK would have ever played over 30 minutes a game if it hadn't been for Dray's suspension and injuries to CP3 & GP2?
And Klay off the bench? Wow, what a great move. I don't know if anyone in the basketball world had ever thought that one up. I love Klay. But it NEVER occurred to me that he could be a success as a gunner coming off the bench with a license to thrill. I'm just stupid, I guess.
There is nothing harder for Kerr to grasp than the blatantly obvious. Sure, there has been a little more integration this year, and he has green-lighted Podz to his credit. But Podz fits his favoritism profile, and Kerr has been willing to overlook the likes of JFK and Moody on Podz behalf.
Oh well. I'm happy to see a little success for Dubs fans. Podz and Trace were great pick-ups. Klay comes off the bench. JFK finally got some run. Curry is still Curry. But I remain on the picket line. I just can't watch Kerr without seeing him as Roddy McDowall in A Clockwork Orange, strapped to a theater chair, eyes taped open, eye drops being administered as he is forced to watch JFK or Moody on the floor of a Warriors game. That tortured look is just too much for me.
My best to DubNation. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. LOL
Kerr inherited Steph, Dray, Klay and Iggy, but his MO has always been prioritizing BBIQ and minimal mistakes over spectacular play. Podz is remarkably intelligent and poised in the mold of Draymond, Iggy and Livingston. The light years guys were talking about it comparing him to CP3, with more quickness and strength, and Sam asked when have we ever seen someone as smart and aware as Podz is as a rookie who didn’t become an All Star? I couldn’t think of anyone.
Love Podz and he has WAY exceeded expectations already, but hopefully he can improve his defense over time. Great at jumping in to take charges (the high bbiq), but he is pretty much a traffic cone against quicker guards. Watching Sexton repeatedly attack him last night is pretty much how every team is currently targeting him.
I don’t think they claimed he’s a shoe in, but we’re saying his trajectory points to it. Can you come up with a 20-year-old rookie who played like Podzand didn’t become an All Star?
He was 22 as a rookie (two years older than Podz), put up .264 from 3 and .480 TS, was a turnover machine (3.7 per 36), and was a massive negative on the floor (-9.3 pts per 100 poss.) Pretty much nothing like Podz, except that he was a decent rebounding guard (though not nearly as good as Podz).
As always, my response is: Iggy and S Dot and Bogut are no longer on the team, our stars are much older, players and circumstances change, and a great coach plays the hand he is dealt. Look, I know Kerr is a coach for the ages and an even better human being. But we all have our faults and it's plain his is being too attached to either player or player type and game scheme. I think this criticism if fair. JK finally got some respectful minutes and he shined. I can't believe that he couldn't have done this a year ago had Kerr invested in him and shone the least bit of trust. Ehh, whatevs. You just have to be remarkably intelligent to guard hyper athletic 6'-9" wings in this league. lol
As far as the rest, I’ll just repost the great, epic rant from early in the season by longtime poster Run_TMC…
====
I want to start by saying that this is not written to suggest that people should not criticize Kerr or any coach or authority figure, It is anyone’s right to do so and I am guilty of it myself. However, there seem to be some arguments leveled at Kerr based on fantasy or imagined motivations by entitled fans based on imagined motivations ascribed to Kerr that are both pure speculation and also obviously wrong. These include that Kerr doesn’t like big men, that he doesn’t like rookies, that he prefers low draft picks because he was one and more.
It feels like these critics have too much of their own self esteem wrapped up in the success of the Warriors and when they don’t win, they are so angry about feeling bad about the loss that they start spewing ridiculous vitriol at Kerr, the players or whomever. Now, this is the internet so, I guess, more power to them, but, as someone who coaches a high school varsity sport (not basketball) I would like to present some counter points:
Kerr wants to win. Period. He doesn’t want to win less because he wants to play some journeyman 2-way player or because he doesn’t want a competent big man or any other stupid motivation these keyboard psychiatrists come up with. Now he may not be making the most optimal choices in your opinion but ANY post suggesting he is not making a decision based on what he thinks will result in winning basketball is stupid, ignorant, self-centered and totally fabricated. Every time one of these posters/callers etc. criticize Kerr’s motivation they invalidate anything else they have to say.
Kerr is not afraid to play young players. They just have to be ready. In the 2020 draft redux post a poster claimed Kerr wouldn’t have played Halliburton if we’d sensibly drafted him. Then claimed that playing Podz this year was only a reaction to not playing Wiseman. The facts. Wiseman did play, even started, as a rookie. Now, 4 years later, he still isn’t a very good basketball player. Kuminga still makes weird annoying mistakes that make it hard to feel confident in him (I believe in growth and feel like, in combination with his obvious talent, JK’s BB IQ will grow and turn him into a really good, if not great player, but he’s not there yet). Moody is working his way into a defined role and, yeah, it may have taken too long in some people’s eyes, but that’s what happens when you have proven talent on the team. Poole got plenty of opportunity and leeway. All coaches are going to depend more on their proven players until the younger ones prove they can do it better. That Kerr hasn’t recognized exactly where that line is, is a legitimate criticism. That he hates rookies is not.
Kerr likes big men … who can contribute to warrior basketball. Bogut, Ezeli, Mo Buckets, West, JaVale, Pachulia, Cousins, Looney, not to mention all the ones we tried to develop that didn’t work like McAdoo, Damian Jones, Jordan Bell, etc. Remember when he got criticized for playing Varejão too much instead of going small? It’s hard to find good big men who can play in this system. Fair to say we might have missed on one or two that could have helped like, MAYBE, a Hartenstein or someone, but not sure you can lay that at Kerr’s feet.
So, In my opinion, you don’t like his rotations? Fair (but probably mostly wrong). Think he has some hidden agenda or has some psychological barrier to making winning decisions? You are <edited to remove offensive phrase> outside the bounds of reasonable discourse and are not contributing to meaningful dialog about the team or season.
If you actually want to live in a functioning society avoid thinking like a zero sum sociopath.
“they invalidate anything else they have to say.”
That line might be the single biggest issue our country has right now. Nothing should ever invalidate everything someone has to say.
Classic SF removing Lincoln’s name from their schools because he didn’t do enough to improve equality thinking.
And on the finer points, if you think Kerr hasn’t sacrificed the team’s best chance at winning games to massage an ego or take a longer term view, then you haven’t been paying attention to his own words over the years.
Perfect people don’t exist. It’s hard to be perfectly right, and it’s hard to be perfectly wrong. So let’s quit trying to invalidate people’s opinions, no matter how foolish most of the fan stuff we put out there might be, and start recognizing that value can come from anywhere, so we should continue to do our best to seek ideas that might lead to a better world in any walk of life.
In the interest of "doing our best to seek ideas that might lead to a better world in any walk of life," I might avoid hyperbolic phrases like "sociopath" and "the single biggest issue our country has right now" as well as strained political analogies with obvious agendas.
Without putting words in his mouth, I think Run_TMC's main point is simply "you can question Kerr's decisions, but (as a fellow coach) it sounds ridiculous to me when you question his motivation." Which I don't think is far off the point you're trying to make when you note that "perfect people don't exist"?
Sociopath as a description of fake news culture and cancel culture people who invalidate everything someone else says because of some trigger or another is inaccurate and hyperbole true.
But Congress being unable to pass anything, even when they agree on the need, while the world moves ever closer to open conflict between nuclear powers is kind of a big deal.
"they are so angry about feeling bad about the loss that they start spewing ridiculous vitriol at Kerr"
I have never been in that camp. In fact, I am diametrically opposed to that camp. I would rather lose with a team that played as a team than win with one that doesn't. My issue with Kerr traces back to the Punch and how he dealt with it and the team thereafter. The Punch split the team in two and Kerr chose sides. As the coach, he has to bear responsibility for keeping the vets and the youth segregated throughout the year, with the penultimate benching of JK in the playoffs. I loved Run TMC and I loved our Dynasty team not for the wins, but for the way they played the game, with fun, with joy, with togetherness.
I understand this great post and there is a lot of truth in it. But I am not one of 'those' guys. The incessant obsession with having to win a Championship for Curry ruined the game, in my mind. Everyone forgot why they were playing. Because it's a game, it's a sport, and it's the best game in the world. If you're not having fun playing (and playing together), then you missed the bus. The bus Curry was talking about was the wrong bus. That was the "we're more important than you are" bus of hubris. Wow, I feel like I am back in therapy!!! lol
I can't remember a specific post that referenced you so no reason to think I was calling you one of those guys, but here is a fragment from a post of yours in this thread that partially illustrates my point
>>But we all have our faults and it's plain his is being too attached to either player or player type and game scheme. I think this criticism if fair.
I also think that criticism is fair ... or at the least not filled with vitriol, it does, however ascribe motivations to Kerr that may or may not be accurate. There is meaningful difference between: 'Kerr is forcing his scheme on players that are not suited for it which is leading to suboptimal results vis a vis winning or team chemistry or whatever you value most' and 'Kerr is more attached to players or scheme than he is to wining or team chemistry'. (also like to note that usually winning and team chemistry are pretty closely correlated).
>> JK finally got some respectful minutes and he shined.
I can't believe that he couldn't have done this a year ago had Kerr invested in him and shone the least bit of trust
Why? Why is it so crazy that JK's athleticism and potential was far ahead of his in game understanding/decision making/effort and that he needed some time to get all of that integrated into becoming a good to great player (as he is doing before our eyes lately it seems). Especially in light of the mountains of players who didn't blossom until their third or later year in the NBA AND on top of that, all the crazy athletic players that didn't hardly make a mark in the league due to never picking up the game mentally (*cough* JW *cough*)? If you go back and watch JK in the the Sacramento series you see a player not contributing.
This. Also, we're talking about the same Kerr who has given Podz minutes from early on and now a lot of minutes, including starts and crunch-time lineup. He has been playing LQ recently, even gives Gui a bit of run. I'd like to see more TJD but he IS playing at least some important minutes. Kerr played his two-way guys last season maybe more than some of us would have liked, but he didn't shy from playing the young 'uns who showed they could deliver. I don't understand why MM doesn't play more but he DID play in the playoffs last year. JK gets minutes now because he proved himself.
Great post by Run TMC. I like that last paragraph. When I am getting brain surgery, I can't help but second guess the surgeon with decades of experience/schooling. "Oh? You are going to use the scalpel now?! Pffft! Puh-lease..."
This exchange of posts here regarding Kerr is what makes this site special. Kudos for offering different perspectives in such a thoughtful and respectful manner.
New thread up: https://dubnationhq.com/p/brandin-podziemski-plays-in-todays
Coach Nick BBallBreaks Down the Warriors https://youtu.be/m7yFtgQ4Mr4?si=5K3WGIVlt5jXqEYR
Why Steph Curry & Warriors should NOT be counted out | Hoops Tonight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YqFGEyRx0I
Is CP3 returning in first game after all star break or there is still ways to go?
Reevaluated on 24th, after first game
Washington Wizards guard Delon Wright has agreed on a contract buyout, clearing the way for him to sign with the Miami Heat upon clearing waivers, his agent Greg Lawrence tells ESPN. Another dependable veteran for the Heat’s rotation.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1758583062437216731
The Trail Blazers are signing two-way center Duop Reath on a new three-year standard NBA contract, sources tell ESPN. Reath — who has averaged 8.9 points this season — has had a remarkable path to landing in the Blazers frontline rotation and the security of this new deal.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1758575801660748077
My guy Duop!!
Warriors stats so far:
Offense:
6 in points scored!!!!!!!!!! (119.7)
24 in points in paint (47.5)
29 in fastbreak points (12.0)
8 in offensive efficiency!!!!!!
16 in shooting % (47.4%)
4 in three point % !!!!!!!!!!!!! (38.1%)
16 in two point % (54.6%)
4 in off. rebound % !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (27.8%)
14 in def. rebound % (76.0%)
3 in total rebound % !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (51.9%)
10 in opponent blocks! (4.8)
22 in opponent steals (8.0)
4 in assists!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (29.0)
22 in turnovers (14.4)
Defense:
22 in points allowed (118.2)
17 in opponent points in paint (50.6)
23 in opponent fastbreak points (14.9)
20 in defensive efficiency
12 in opponent shooting % (47.1%)
11 in opponent three point % (35.8%)
15 in opponent two point % (54.7%)
27 in blocks (4.1)
26 in steals (6.7)
12 in opponent assists (26.3)
24 in opponent turnovers (12.8)
Pretty good portrait of the team we have been watching all season. It would be interesting to see Q4 stats, especially the rebounding, turnovers, and defensive numbers - it seems like we do well and have high energy on D in the early going and then run out of gas in Q4 where opponents erase our leads and get a lot of offensive boards, but these are just my impressions, not backed by stats.
True that Saric hasn't played as well lately as earlier in the year. Consider the chemistry he has with CP3, who has been out. Saric's confidence came with the PNR he had with CP3. Let's see if he does better after the break.
One thing to consider for recent 3 pt% slump.. He had close relationships with Deki, includes becoming family friends. He used (and may be still does) to check in (home visit) with family after Deki passed away.
Not sure what goes through his mind when he is sitting on the bench watching.
He also was the player closest to Deki, so had that to deal with.
I bet when he has had more time to come to terms with it, he will use Deki's memory as inspiration. I hope he can get there soon.
Everyone could use a little time to relax and so this seems like a great time for the All Star break. It has been a slog recently both mentally and physically with lot's of drama and distractions. A little time off will probably do everyone good. Allowing the brain to calm and the body to recuperate. Give a little distance from some of the day to day stresses and maybe an opportunity to return refreshed with a more positive outcome and greater effort leading to better results.
Also, the players could probably use a break, too.
NBA rookie ladder:
1. Wemby
2. Chet Holmgren
3. Brandon Miller
4. Podziemski
5. Jacquez Jr.
6. Cam Whitmore
7. Dereck Lively II
8. Scoot Henderson
9. Ausur Thompson
10. Keyonte George
wow. RoY ladder per what source?
Kia/NBA
https://www.nba.com/news/kia-rookie-ladder-feb-14-2024-edition
@PodzMuse
“I want to be an All-Star, a Hall-of-Fame type player. The Rising Stars game is the first step in that direction, but I’m eager to get further on.”
— Brandin Podziemski
We have a very ambitious, cocky, and mature rookie. And he is living up to it. Keep going young man. We are lucky to have him.
And he's making Steph tunnel shots now:
https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/watch-brandon-podziemski-full-court-shot/1690340/
So we have a successor for Steph's tunnel shots 😁 Fun!
Keep bringing the joy, young Dub!
Well, "now" was Jan 10, but sure :)
Lol, didn't realize this was an old article, here's one about today's shot:
https://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/brandin-podziemski-rising-stars-full-court-heave-18672152.php
Does Podz have an island? An archipelago? A beach at least?
I've been plugging beach huts on Podziemski Cay for a while now. Best get your reservations in, they won't last, and the resale value when the big boys come in will be ridiculous.
Incidentally, I recommend stilt huts - the swells when Podzilla emerges from the lagoon for a rampage are sizable.
I believe, if I remember correctly from the draft analysis, he has a traveling group of whales that accompanies him everywhere.
Albeit small whales: Kevon, Saric, TJD. We also have orcas that accompany Podz: Draymond, JK, and Wiggs.
Podz-dam.
Just upriver from Moody island?
In which case he likely has a lake, not an island.
With whales, it's not a lake but the Podziemski Sea. One is ill advised to go charging through there, as you WILL draw an offensive foul.
as the core 3 evolve (ie, age) there are a couple of things i don’t trust any more:
Steph: bank shots
Dray: floaters
Klay: any offbalanced shot
fair?
I don't really trust either Steph or Klay's defense any more. That's not to say they can't play well at times, but Steph is frequently not a smart defender, and Klay's attention comes and goes.
One thing I think will be very important to see is for Steph to get a little more defensive-minded as the playoffs grow closer. He's probably just gassed now (I'm guessing the whole team is, after the road trip, then the home-road-home-road series), but we'll need him to be playing D, or we probably won't make it out of the play-in tournament.
Klay ... well we have other options if Kerr can be convinced to play them.
I don’t trust Steph bank shots or Dray floaters any more or less than I ever did (which is to say, mostly yea on Steph bank shots, mostly nay on Dray floaters).
Klay, yeah: I trust two kinds of shots less than I used to: the off balance ones, and the ones where he’s in full sprint and has to stop on a dime and pull up. Those used to be money; now I expect them to miss.
Fwiw, both Steph and Dray are above their career scoring averages (volume plus efficiency).
When Klay said he took it out on the assistant coaches after the Clipper game, here’s the scenario I’m picturing:
Kerr: “Klay, what the fuck were you doing fouling down 3 with 39 second left? Idiot.”
Klay (to assistants): “Why the fuck didn’t you remind me not to foul down 3 with 39 seconds left? Idiots.”
Assistants: “Sorry, we forgot you’re a fucking idiot.”
Klay: “Yeah, so it’s YOUR fault.”
Kerr: “Uh, Klay we need to talk…again.”
Watching that last possession again and wow, did we get lucky. Total miscommunication and a switch would have helped there. Sexton just bricked the cleanest look you could get on a game tying attempt.
For all the times we've been UNlucky this year, it's about time we had some actual good luck.
Is this why the Warriors don’t foul up 3? Because they just suck at staying attached, and not cuz #kerrsucks? Le sigh…
Well, I suppose I should thank Kerr for saving me $240 a month on cable bills as, once my one-man strike on Kerr led Dubs B-ball this summer began, I no longer needed it. I can't make any observations about the games themselves, to the delight of many, since I have only caught a few games this year. I do get a game thread on my phone though, and most of this year has been spent checking in throughout the game, most notably, a quick check of JFK's minutes. Can't wait until CP3 returns and JFK gets relegated to the motorcade with Moses Moody, once again to fall victim to Kerr's veteran/"height challenged" favoritism. Does anyone think JFK would have ever played over 30 minutes a game if it hadn't been for Dray's suspension and injuries to CP3 & GP2?
And Klay off the bench? Wow, what a great move. I don't know if anyone in the basketball world had ever thought that one up. I love Klay. But it NEVER occurred to me that he could be a success as a gunner coming off the bench with a license to thrill. I'm just stupid, I guess.
There is nothing harder for Kerr to grasp than the blatantly obvious. Sure, there has been a little more integration this year, and he has green-lighted Podz to his credit. But Podz fits his favoritism profile, and Kerr has been willing to overlook the likes of JFK and Moody on Podz behalf.
Oh well. I'm happy to see a little success for Dubs fans. Podz and Trace were great pick-ups. Klay comes off the bench. JFK finally got some run. Curry is still Curry. But I remain on the picket line. I just can't watch Kerr without seeing him as Roddy McDowall in A Clockwork Orange, strapped to a theater chair, eyes taped open, eye drops being administered as he is forced to watch JFK or Moody on the floor of a Warriors game. That tortured look is just too much for me.
My best to DubNation. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. LOL
Kerr inherited Steph, Dray, Klay and Iggy, but his MO has always been prioritizing BBIQ and minimal mistakes over spectacular play. Podz is remarkably intelligent and poised in the mold of Draymond, Iggy and Livingston. The light years guys were talking about it comparing him to CP3, with more quickness and strength, and Sam asked when have we ever seen someone as smart and aware as Podz is as a rookie who didn’t become an All Star? I couldn’t think of anyone.
That last bit is 100% hyperbole… let’s not get too far in front of our skis… he may very well get better, but he’s not some All Star shoe in…
> let’s not get too far in front of our (podziem-)skis
hee hee
Love Podz and he has WAY exceeded expectations already, but hopefully he can improve his defense over time. Great at jumping in to take charges (the high bbiq), but he is pretty much a traffic cone against quicker guards. Watching Sexton repeatedly attack him last night is pretty much how every team is currently targeting him.
I don’t think they claimed he’s a shoe in, but we’re saying his trajectory points to it. Can you come up with a 20-year-old rookie who played like Podzand didn’t become an All Star?
Michael Carter Williams?
He was 22 as a rookie (two years older than Podz), put up .264 from 3 and .480 TS, was a turnover machine (3.7 per 36), and was a massive negative on the floor (-9.3 pts per 100 poss.) Pretty much nothing like Podz, except that he was a decent rebounding guard (though not nearly as good as Podz).
James Wisema…. Nevermind
As always, my response is: Iggy and S Dot and Bogut are no longer on the team, our stars are much older, players and circumstances change, and a great coach plays the hand he is dealt. Look, I know Kerr is a coach for the ages and an even better human being. But we all have our faults and it's plain his is being too attached to either player or player type and game scheme. I think this criticism if fair. JK finally got some respectful minutes and he shined. I can't believe that he couldn't have done this a year ago had Kerr invested in him and shone the least bit of trust. Ehh, whatevs. You just have to be remarkably intelligent to guard hyper athletic 6'-9" wings in this league. lol
Roddy McDowall is a fine actor, but he wasn’t in A Clockwork Orange.
Otherwise known as Small Body Roddy.
Was it Ronald McDonald?
Damn it, Malcolm!!! I'm getting old. Brain ain't working like it used to.
As far as the rest, I’ll just repost the great, epic rant from early in the season by longtime poster Run_TMC…
====
I want to start by saying that this is not written to suggest that people should not criticize Kerr or any coach or authority figure, It is anyone’s right to do so and I am guilty of it myself. However, there seem to be some arguments leveled at Kerr based on fantasy or imagined motivations by entitled fans based on imagined motivations ascribed to Kerr that are both pure speculation and also obviously wrong. These include that Kerr doesn’t like big men, that he doesn’t like rookies, that he prefers low draft picks because he was one and more.
It feels like these critics have too much of their own self esteem wrapped up in the success of the Warriors and when they don’t win, they are so angry about feeling bad about the loss that they start spewing ridiculous vitriol at Kerr, the players or whomever. Now, this is the internet so, I guess, more power to them, but, as someone who coaches a high school varsity sport (not basketball) I would like to present some counter points:
Kerr wants to win. Period. He doesn’t want to win less because he wants to play some journeyman 2-way player or because he doesn’t want a competent big man or any other stupid motivation these keyboard psychiatrists come up with. Now he may not be making the most optimal choices in your opinion but ANY post suggesting he is not making a decision based on what he thinks will result in winning basketball is stupid, ignorant, self-centered and totally fabricated. Every time one of these posters/callers etc. criticize Kerr’s motivation they invalidate anything else they have to say.
Kerr is not afraid to play young players. They just have to be ready. In the 2020 draft redux post a poster claimed Kerr wouldn’t have played Halliburton if we’d sensibly drafted him. Then claimed that playing Podz this year was only a reaction to not playing Wiseman. The facts. Wiseman did play, even started, as a rookie. Now, 4 years later, he still isn’t a very good basketball player. Kuminga still makes weird annoying mistakes that make it hard to feel confident in him (I believe in growth and feel like, in combination with his obvious talent, JK’s BB IQ will grow and turn him into a really good, if not great player, but he’s not there yet). Moody is working his way into a defined role and, yeah, it may have taken too long in some people’s eyes, but that’s what happens when you have proven talent on the team. Poole got plenty of opportunity and leeway. All coaches are going to depend more on their proven players until the younger ones prove they can do it better. That Kerr hasn’t recognized exactly where that line is, is a legitimate criticism. That he hates rookies is not.
Kerr likes big men … who can contribute to warrior basketball. Bogut, Ezeli, Mo Buckets, West, JaVale, Pachulia, Cousins, Looney, not to mention all the ones we tried to develop that didn’t work like McAdoo, Damian Jones, Jordan Bell, etc. Remember when he got criticized for playing Varejão too much instead of going small? It’s hard to find good big men who can play in this system. Fair to say we might have missed on one or two that could have helped like, MAYBE, a Hartenstein or someone, but not sure you can lay that at Kerr’s feet.
So, In my opinion, you don’t like his rotations? Fair (but probably mostly wrong). Think he has some hidden agenda or has some psychological barrier to making winning decisions? You are <edited to remove offensive phrase> outside the bounds of reasonable discourse and are not contributing to meaningful dialog about the team or season.
====
Anyway, thanks for stopping by!
There’s plenty worthwhile in there, however:
If you actually want to live in a functioning society avoid thinking like a zero sum sociopath.
“they invalidate anything else they have to say.”
That line might be the single biggest issue our country has right now. Nothing should ever invalidate everything someone has to say.
Classic SF removing Lincoln’s name from their schools because he didn’t do enough to improve equality thinking.
And on the finer points, if you think Kerr hasn’t sacrificed the team’s best chance at winning games to massage an ego or take a longer term view, then you haven’t been paying attention to his own words over the years.
Perfect people don’t exist. It’s hard to be perfectly right, and it’s hard to be perfectly wrong. So let’s quit trying to invalidate people’s opinions, no matter how foolish most of the fan stuff we put out there might be, and start recognizing that value can come from anywhere, so we should continue to do our best to seek ideas that might lead to a better world in any walk of life.
In the interest of "doing our best to seek ideas that might lead to a better world in any walk of life," I might avoid hyperbolic phrases like "sociopath" and "the single biggest issue our country has right now" as well as strained political analogies with obvious agendas.
Without putting words in his mouth, I think Run_TMC's main point is simply "you can question Kerr's decisions, but (as a fellow coach) it sounds ridiculous to me when you question his motivation." Which I don't think is far off the point you're trying to make when you note that "perfect people don't exist"?
I hope the agenda is obvious, but for some reason I suspect it’s been assumed incorrectly.
Sociopath as a description of fake news culture and cancel culture people who invalidate everything someone else says because of some trigger or another is inaccurate and hyperbole true.
But Congress being unable to pass anything, even when they agree on the need, while the world moves ever closer to open conflict between nuclear powers is kind of a big deal.
>"you can question Kerr's decisions, but (as a fellow coach) it sounds ridiculous to me when you question his motivation."
I mean, sure if you want be all mature about it. A little hyperbole never killed anyone (or, wait! has it?)
that was a good rant. however
"they are so angry about feeling bad about the loss that they start spewing ridiculous vitriol at Kerr"
I have never been in that camp. In fact, I am diametrically opposed to that camp. I would rather lose with a team that played as a team than win with one that doesn't. My issue with Kerr traces back to the Punch and how he dealt with it and the team thereafter. The Punch split the team in two and Kerr chose sides. As the coach, he has to bear responsibility for keeping the vets and the youth segregated throughout the year, with the penultimate benching of JK in the playoffs. I loved Run TMC and I loved our Dynasty team not for the wins, but for the way they played the game, with fun, with joy, with togetherness.
I understand this great post and there is a lot of truth in it. But I am not one of 'those' guys. The incessant obsession with having to win a Championship for Curry ruined the game, in my mind. Everyone forgot why they were playing. Because it's a game, it's a sport, and it's the best game in the world. If you're not having fun playing (and playing together), then you missed the bus. The bus Curry was talking about was the wrong bus. That was the "we're more important than you are" bus of hubris. Wow, I feel like I am back in therapy!!! lol
I can't remember a specific post that referenced you so no reason to think I was calling you one of those guys, but here is a fragment from a post of yours in this thread that partially illustrates my point
>>But we all have our faults and it's plain his is being too attached to either player or player type and game scheme. I think this criticism if fair.
I also think that criticism is fair ... or at the least not filled with vitriol, it does, however ascribe motivations to Kerr that may or may not be accurate. There is meaningful difference between: 'Kerr is forcing his scheme on players that are not suited for it which is leading to suboptimal results vis a vis winning or team chemistry or whatever you value most' and 'Kerr is more attached to players or scheme than he is to wining or team chemistry'. (also like to note that usually winning and team chemistry are pretty closely correlated).
>> JK finally got some respectful minutes and he shined.
I can't believe that he couldn't have done this a year ago had Kerr invested in him and shone the least bit of trust
Why? Why is it so crazy that JK's athleticism and potential was far ahead of his in game understanding/decision making/effort and that he needed some time to get all of that integrated into becoming a good to great player (as he is doing before our eyes lately it seems). Especially in light of the mountains of players who didn't blossom until their third or later year in the NBA AND on top of that, all the crazy athletic players that didn't hardly make a mark in the league due to never picking up the game mentally (*cough* JW *cough*)? If you go back and watch JK in the the Sacramento series you see a player not contributing.
This. Also, we're talking about the same Kerr who has given Podz minutes from early on and now a lot of minutes, including starts and crunch-time lineup. He has been playing LQ recently, even gives Gui a bit of run. I'd like to see more TJD but he IS playing at least some important minutes. Kerr played his two-way guys last season maybe more than some of us would have liked, but he didn't shy from playing the young 'uns who showed they could deliver. I don't understand why MM doesn't play more but he DID play in the playoffs last year. JK gets minutes now because he proved himself.
Great post by Run TMC. I like that last paragraph. When I am getting brain surgery, I can't help but second guess the surgeon with decades of experience/schooling. "Oh? You are going to use the scalpel now?! Pffft! Puh-lease..."
This exchange of posts here regarding Kerr is what makes this site special. Kudos for offering different perspectives in such a thoughtful and respectful manner.
Somewhere in the sea of comments last night, someone asked if "bench Klay" is the new game 6 Klay. Sorry, but gonna need to rephrase the question as:
Is 6th man Klay the new game 6 Klay?
https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70868487/1397142236.0.jpg
:)
That was me and I like your phrasing better
I am going to go ahead and study some Hawaii volcanoes to see when they erupt and use that to predict the next Klay-cano eruption
“Vol-klay-no” was right there.
NICE!!!!