Kerr forced to break usual NBA tradition because of the depth of Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
PORTLAND, Ore. – One impressive win against a rebuilding team, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr threatens to break one of the NBA’s oldest rules.
In a league where it’s customary to play no more than 10 players in a rotation, Kerr says he’s willing to play 13.
Maybe 14, because that’s how many Warriors took the court Tuesday night in a 139-104 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers on Fashion Center.
“We’re going to do it,” Kerr said. “I’ve never played 12 before, but we’re going to do it. It’s not easy. It’s not easy for anyone, but we just have to trust that from one night to the next, we’ll find guys and combinations that really work. And the guys have to understand that some nights are their nights, and some nights aren’t.”
This decision was made Monday, Kerr said, three days after he told Lindy Waters (the 13th man) and Gui Santos (14th) that they were not in the rotation.
“Two days ago, I thought maybe I’d play 10 and just have to tell two of these guys they’re going to sit,” Kerr said. “I couldn’t justify that because they all played really well in camp.”
Is this crazy? Yes. Far outside the norm.
Is it stupid? No.
Until the Warriors are in a position to make a seismic trade, and if team brotherhood stays healthy, this has a chance to work. Al Attles played 13 guys, and needed them all, as the Warriors made one of the greatest NBA Finals runs ever. Kerr played as many as 12 in his first season – which also ended with a win in the Finals.
“There were times when we played 11,” Kerr said. “That is difficult. But never 12. We will try to do it.”
To a man, those on the roster are ready to roll with this new idea. They are warm to the idea of the concept where “everyone eats” because it promotes a healthy environment.
“Our energy was great from Day 1 of training camp,” Stephen Curry said “It’s a nice locker room, with kids happy to be here and happy to play the way we do. They understand that everyone will get a chance. Coach did a pretty good job of explaining the situation we’re in, in a positive way.
“But you have to have a commitment. No agendas. No egos. Well, healthy egos. When you’re out there, you know you have to be out there. But if it’s not your night, you can’t bring the team down with your energy. I didn’t see any red flags with that.”
Kerr’s opening night lineup – Andrew Wiggins and Curry in the back yard, with Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis ahead – clearly needs more time to bond. Sleepy at the start, they were awakened by the welcome roar caused by the bench’s high-energy work.
A bench that behind Buddy HieldGary Payton II and Brandin Podziemski, along with Curry, led Golden State to victory against Portland and are suited to be used early and often.
“We had a lot of guys come off the bench and play with great energy,” Kerr said. “That’s the strength of our team, the depth and the ability to play a lot of different ways with different people. The only way it works is if everyone buys it. And the guys did it.”
The Warriors outscored Portland 86-51 in the second and third quarters combined, with the 12 players during that span all finishing with strong plus-minus numbers.
Then, too, that was against the Trail Blazers, projected to finish in or near the basement of the Western Conference.
“You have to assume there’s going to be tougher nights when it doesn’t go your way and you have to push through,” Curry said. “We can, hopefully, overwhelm teams with that depth and that pace. But you have to figure there’s going to be games where me and Draymond are pushing 30-plus as we try to find the right combinations.”
With 81 games remaining, there is plenty of time to adjust. Kerr had one plan over the weekend and scrapped it on Monday. Things could change as soon as Friday night in Utah.
The mere fact that Kerr is ready to ride this program is unique. Innovative, according to Kevon Looney. And if victories begin to pile up and all remains peaceful within the walls, there would be no reason to discard it.
