Why Warriors’ transition point this summer should bring plenty of change

SAN FRANCISCO – Continuing to have Steve Kerr remain the leader running the Warriors from the sidelines doesn’t exactly invite turning the page to a new era. Everything he and general manager Mike Dunleavy said Friday at Chase Center, especially Kerr, was an understanding of who the Warriors now are and the many changes that must happen to have them back on the right path. Kerr committed to remaining the Warriors’ head coach on a two-year contract three weeks after Golden State’s season ended in Phoenix from an NBA play-in tournament loss. Warriors owner Joe Lacob hugged Steph Curry in the halls of the Suns’ home arena, told him how proud he was and that they’d get together soon. Everybody needed some space and separation to responsibly gather their thoughts instead of pure emotions dictating the next direction of the franchise. The process wasn’t the norm in the NBA. Nothing about Kerr being OK with playing out the final year of his contract as a lame-duck was business as usual, and the healthy process of multiple conversations between Kerr, Dunleavy and Lacob following the season wasn’t typical either. It was genuine, authentic and a breath of fresh air for all sides. Those conversations served as a realization and reset. A truthful realization that the Warriors no longer are light years ahead, and a reset of what that means for a franchise who will have the same person coaching them for a 13th and 14th season, and a superstar still being elite at 38 years old as the clock on his playing days ticks down louder and faster each game. The Warriors’ main decision makers and Kerr came to an agreement that this is the best decision for everybody. But in speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area, Kerr labeled this new phase of the Warriors something they can’t escape. “This is a transition point for the organization,” Kerr said in an exclusive interview after his press conference. So, what does a transition point mean for Kerr, Curry and the Warriors? “Well, for the first 11 years, other than one year where everybody was hurt, we’ve gone into every season thinking we’re a championship contender,” Kerr said. “Right now, we can’t say that. We can’t legitimately look at our roster, look at our injuries, look at the Spurs, at OKC and Minnesota – we can’t sit here and say we are a championship contender right now. “This is going to require some personnel moves. It’s going to require rethinking how we’re operating. … There’s a lot to fix this summer, and before we can even begin to talk about playoffs and championships, we’ve got a big challenge ahead, and we’re excited about it.” Excited? Yes. Understanding? For now. Kerr is an open book. He’s honest in his assessment of players and his team. He speaks his mind on the game and so much more. It’s refreshing, just like his honesty in the words that followed, even if Lacob and some others might not want to hear them. What Kerr is concluding isn’t a concession. They also are words that can taste like rancid milk to Lacob at times, and his facial expressions from his courtside seat can’t hide his feelings. “He just said, ‘You know, I’m the owner, and I can’t help but just say I expect to be in the playoffs every year and have a shot.’ Frankly, that’s one of the reasons why we have done that is because of his vision and his passion,” Kerr said. “I admire that. I love that.” Both men run on competitiveness. Frustrations can come from that kind of fire, as can championships. Curry is the sun the Warriors have orbited around for all four of their championships in different phases of the dynasty. There isn’t a perfect outline for carrying him off into the sunset, but the Warriors know there’s a delicate balance to strike in Curry’s remaining years.Curry himself has said speaking only of championships can’t be the Warriors’ day-to-day conversations anymore. He badly wants to keep winning and still begs for the chance of playing as much meaningful basketball as he can. Just not at the expense of being bigger than the team and making what’s next one long love song for an extended last dance. He didn’t pound the table for Kerr’s return because he didn’t have to. Curry before Kerr made up his mind said he wants his coach to be happy, which was an answer that didn’t surprise Kerr. He collaborates instead of intervening. And he also surely isn’t accepting of another 37-win season where indefensible issues had everyone shaking their heads. As long as Curry is wearing a Warriors jersey, expectations will remain sky-high as those inside the building try to tamper them. Dunleavy believes internal development and cutting down the Warriors’ many turnover problems is the first step. Kerr acknowledges where the Warriors, with Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody injured, sit in the Western Conference hierarchy. Four seasons have now passed since the Warriors won their last championship. In the seven seasons since they went to five straight NBA Finals, the Warriors have completely missed the playoffs four times, exited in the second round twice, and also raised one more championship banner. Now it’s back to square one, even with Steve still on the sidelines and Steph still doing Steph things on the court. “If we can go into this season with a really clear vision of what we’re trying to do on the court, everybody is tight and committed, and we get the process going, that’s what will lead to success.” Kerr said. “So I can’t sit here and predict anything, wins and losses, but what success means to me is rededicating ourselves to a process where we’re going to put in the work, and we’re going to get better.” A need to get younger has been acknowledged. The Warriors can’t keep crossing their fingers for every injury report. They need to draft someone with the No. 11 pick that will play and be able to go through growing pains. Changes will be seen and felt in coaching philosophy, too. With the losses of Chris DeMarco, Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse, the Warriors have three open spots on the front of the bench. Kerr is looking at quite literally every single turnover from the season and rethinking how to go through daily activities, whether that means more practice time, a deeper emphasis on fundamentals for development, extended film sessions, walk throughs or even written tests.Reaching an inflection point has Kerr coming back to the four principles he dedicated himself to when he first became the Warriors’ head coach: Joy, competition, compassion, and mindfulness. For him, for Steph and for the preservation of Dub Nation. Welcome to the Transition Point Warriors.Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Why Warriors’ transition point this summer should bring plenty of change

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