Steve Kerr is one of the best coaches in the NBA today. Under his leadership, Golden State has won four championships and made the playoffs in eight of the last 11 seasons. But for all his brilliance, Kerr is overlooking something important: Stephen Curry isn’t going to last forever.
With 16 seasons in the NBA, Curry remains one of the league’s best. Last year, the Warriors star averaged 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and six assists.
This season, with 26 games played, Steph is averaging 28.8 points-above his career average-3.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, clearly demonstrating that he’s in top form.
Even so, at 37, the Warriors star is getting closer to retirement. Despite Curry’s championship window slowly but surely closing, Kerr remains committed to his long-term vision.
Kerr is sacrificing Steph’s championship window
Speaking on The Tom Tolbert Show last week, Kerr revealed that the team’s goal is to finish among the top eight in the league this season.
Furthermore, he dismissed the idea that the team should always be a title contender. “I just don’t want anybody to think that we’re all disillusioned and we’re thinking we should be competing for titles year in and year out… That’s not realistic.”
Therefore, Kerr is unwilling to sacrifice draft capital to give the team and Curry, a chance to win a championship this season.
The coach reminded teams like the Clippers and the Suns that sacrificed their draft picks, without tangible results. “You can really paint yourselves into a corner if you’re risky and irresponsible.”
Kerr faces a barrage of criticism for his strategy
Not everyone agrees with the Warriors head coach’s long-term approach. Analysts like Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports have lashed out at Kerr for his strategy.
“Has Steve Kerr forgotten that Stephen Curry is still a superstar?” O’Connor questioned in a recent article, reminding everyone that Curry is still playing at a championship level.
He also called Kerr’s statements regarding the draft a smokescreen. “The Warriors actually have the infrastructure to support a winner,” O’Connor asserted, criticizing the coach for denying Curry the opportunity to win his fifth championship.
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