Golden State head coach Steve Kerr accepted responsibility for the Warriors’ recent slide after Sunday’s 136-131 defeat in Portland dropped the club to 13-14.
“I’m not doing my job well this year,” Kerr told reporters, taking the blame for both the loss and the team’s uneven play.
Offense stalls without Curry
Stephen Curry poured in 48 points, his second-highest output of the season, yet the offense continues to crater during his bench minutes. According to team data, Golden State scores 118.8 points per 100 possessions with the two-time MVP on the floor and just 107.1 when he sits—a figure that would rank last in the league.
Kerr cited a key stretch Sunday when Curry rested and Jimmy Butler went four straight trips without a touch. “That’s on me,” the coach said. “We have to find a way in collaboration to make sure we are playing through Jimmy.”
Calls for a more assertive Butler
The Athletic’s Nick Friedell wrote that Butler needs to hunt his shot more often; his 11.4 field-goal attempts per game are well below the 14.5 he averaged from 2014-24. Draymond Green agreed, adding that he must actively involve Butler. “When he hasn’t touched the ball for multiple possessions, I’ve got to get him a touch,” Green said, also challenging Butler to “come get the ball.”
Lacob’s candid email response
A frustrated fan who emailed team owner Joe Lacob about Butler’s usage received an immediate reply: “You can’t be as frustrated as me… Jimmy is not the problem.” Asked Tuesday about the leaked exchange, Kerr said he was unconcerned, noting that everyone in the organization shares the frustration. “Joe supports me 100 percent. I support him,” the coach added.
Starting group to remain
Kerr said he plans to stick with his current starters—Curry, Butler, Green, Moses Moody and Quinten Post—for the foreseeable future, barring injury.
Injury updates
Al Horford (right sciatic nerve irritation) has recovered after missing eight of the last nine games, but is still listed as doubtful for Thursday’s matchup with Phoenix.
Two-way guard Pat Spencer will sit out Thursday for personal reasons. Spencer has appeared in all 27 games so far and is more than halfway to his 50-game two-way limit, so any absence gives the Warriors additional time to decide on a standard contract later in the season.
Source: Hoops Rumors
