From Slater via [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/4031624/2022/12/24/state-of-the-warriors-2023/):
**Kerr on Kuminga**
On his current role with the team:
> “Jonathan’s in a really good place,” Kerr said. **“He’s embraced his role as a defensive-minded guard-the-best-guy type player.** He’s embraced **a more patient role offensively,** figuring out when to shoot, when not to shoot, when to move the ball on. There’s still young mistakes. But his approach, his attitude, his willingness to be coached, it’s all on the rise.”
Talking about two plays from the 76ers game:
> “For a young player, he’s got to understand the nuance of the fact that even though they are basically the same — a midrange 15-footer — one is early in the clock with no movement. Bad shot. The other is later in the clock after where we’ve explored avenues, scrambled their defense, won the possession, now you’re open. Take it. That’s not black and white. That’s feel and nuance and where all young players need to figure out the game.”
**Kerr on Wiseman**
On what the current focus for Wiseman’s development:
> But the Warriors need to be a consistent top-10 level defense to return to their championship form. **In Wiseman’s 216 minutes this season, the Warriors have a 125.1 defensive rating. That’s unsustainable for a team suddenly desperate to claw out every regular-season win it can find.**
> **”That’s the biggest thing,” Kerr said. “It’s his defensive awareness.** Offensively, we know he can score. The guy is always going to be able to score. Regardless of what happens in the short term, if he stays healthy, he’s going to have a good career and score a lot of points. **But what we need is defensive awareness and the ability to patrol the paint, rim protect.** I think his few weeks in Santa Cruz, the practice time he got, the individual attention from Seth Cooper and his staff, was helpful.”
**Kerr on Moody**
On Moody’s spot in the rotation:
> “He has been the odd man out at times behind Lamb and Jerome,” Kerr said. **“With Steph out, Ty Jerome has to play because we need a point guard. We’ve got to get organized. If we can’t get organized, we’re in trouble.** Ty comes in and settles the game down. On the surface, you say, ‘Why would you play a two-way guy ahead of a lottery pick?’ It’s not that simple. What’s going to help the team win? Well, we need a backup point guard with Steph out. We need an organizer. Ty never turns it over and gets us into our offense. That’s what we need to help us win a game. But when you combine that with JK now being in the rotation, Donte playing well, **Lamb being more of a three/four combo with his strength and size, it pushes Moses down in the rotation.** It’s been frustrating for Moses. I’ve talked to him about it. But he’s such a pro, such a great young guy with a great attitude that he’s stayed ready, and I think he’s played well when we’ve given him a chance the last few weeks.”
by trackandfieldstar
11 Comments
Sounds like we’re in rebuilding mode. The homers and apologists are all for this timeline
These all seem like pretty valid points and criticisms of the young guys
Damn Kerr should talk like this more often, pretty insightful. Guess that’s why he just wins 🏆
I’m not too sure about his argument for Ty over Moody. Ty too often will miss things like a wide open 7 footer right under the damn basket and instead dribble around and take a contested midrange. And his defense is pretty bad.
That’s why he’s the boss 😉
Are they interesting? Aren’t all these very obvious?
HOF coach thinks a lot before every decision, fans in shock. More news at 9PM
Time and time again, never doubt Steve Kerr
I’ve been saying d forveer and people say but wise can score lol
*“That’s the biggest thing, it’s his defensive awareness….but what we need is defensive awareness and the ability to patrol the paint, rim protect.”*
☝️This isn’t Wiseman and I don’t know, even with incredible teaching, learning and several off-seasons of weight training if this will ever be his play-style as he’s never been a heavy rebounder.
Steph could always score but just last year did he become a defensive stalwart.
I’m not comparing Wiseman to Steph, but it’s appropriate to question if Wiseman will ever mature into Dennis Rodman because that’s who Kerr wants.
This quote though:
And what I like is Donte’s gotten a lot better, JaMychal’s gotten a lot better,” Kerr said. “The new guys are rounding into form. So, if — and it’s a big if — if we are healthy, then you can really see a playoff rotation forming with options within that rotation. You have your full starting lineup. You’re coming off the bench with JP creating shots, Donte defending his ass off, playing with great energy, J-Myke starting to get more comfortable making some shots. JK and Lamb have given us good minutes. Then as we go, you got James and you got Moses. You keep giving them experience, and you hope by the end of the season, you have more options.”
Kerr sounds like us on the hopium … Well if these 12 things break right, we have a shot.