With Steph Curry out, Steve Kerr wants Warriors to do less, not more
Why Kerr wants Warriors to do less, not more, with Steph out originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The Warriors are looking for a new winning formula as they operate without injured superstar Steph Curry for at least the next two weeks. Without their MVP candidate on the floor, it’s only natural for Curry’s teammates to try to dig up their own “Incredibles” super suit and unleash their best Curry impression.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr, however, wants his players to do the opposite.
“With Steph out, I don’t think that anybody needs to try to do more. In fact, where we are now, everybody needs to do a bit less,” Kerr told reporters at practice Saturday in Toronto. “What I mean by that is everybody is trying a little bit too hard. We’re having really good stretches of basketball, and then we take three difficult shots in a row instead of just moving the ball on or searching for a better one.
“I don’t think anybody’s role really changes, it’s more that our decision making has to improve.”
Golden State has some lessons to learn without Curry on the floor, having lost all four games he has missed this season, most recently its 118-106 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.
Jordan Poole, starting in Curry’s absence, led the team with 29 points on 10-of-20 shooting. The Warriors held a two-point lead at halftime but went cold in the final two quarters, shooting 34.6 percent from the field and 26.1 percent from deep.
“We are bringing the effort, and the guys’ intentions are great,” Kerr said Saturday. “We are losing because our decision making just isn’t good enough at both ends. We’re fouling too much, which has been a theme all year. But we’re giving away possessions.”
The Warriors committed 17 turnovers in that game, which turned into 14 points for the 76ers. Philadelphia also had the advantage in fast break points, 17-15.
“We’re getting close. I really love the guys on this team,” Kerr said. “They’re all so coachable. We’re close to breaking through. But the decision making has to improve. Basketball is a game of decisions. We’ve got to improve on our shot selection and ability to just make the easy play over and over again.”
The Warriors also are trying to win games without Andrew Wiggins, who will miss his seventh straight contest with an adductor injury Sunday when the Warriors visit the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Kerr doesn’t expect Wiggins to play against the New York Knicks on Tuesday or the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, either.
“I would call him doubtful for the New York games, but there’s an outside chance he plays one of those games,” Kerr said. “With the groin, if you re-aggravate it, now you’re talking [about missing] weeks. We’re going to be cautious. Unless we feel great about it, he probably wouldn’t play until we get home.”
RELATED: Poole shows poise, production in first game since Steph injury
Whenever Wiggins returns to the Warriors’ lineup, he won’t asked to put on the Superman cape that’s been worn by Curry all season. Wiggins just needs to play like himself, just like the rest of his teammates.
If that happens, Kerr is confident the Warriors can win without Curry.
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Source: Yahoo Sports
