A particularly introspective Steve Kerr told reporters Wednesday that there is beauty in wrestling as he reflected on the state of his Golden State Warriors and the explosion he had with Draymond Green during the third trimester of a victory 120-97 against the Orlando Magic two days earlier.
Kerr and Green were seen in a heated discussion during a timeout Monday night. After a heated exchange, Green decides to retire and heads towards the Chase Center locker room.
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Although he eventually returned to the bench, he did not return to the game.
Kerr said he and his versatile forward had a “good chat” on Wednesday. The longtime Warriors head coach said he and Green apologized to each other and to the team.
Kerr explained that it wasn’t his best moment and it wasn’t a good idea for his group either.
“It was a time when I needed to be calm in the group, and so I regret my actions during that exchange,” Kerr said. said Wednesday.
“These things happen, especially when there are two incredibly competitive people like Dray and I. So in the 12 years we’ve been together, it’s happened from time to time, and I’m not proud of it.”
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Kerr added: “I care about Draymond so much, and the relationship that we have is like a family. And like a family, you go through ups and downs. And my No. 1 goal, honestly, is for him to finish his warrior career with us fighting – metaphorically, not literally – and competing together until we’re both gone. And I believe that’s going to happen because I believe in Draymond, and I believe in myself and I believe in everything that we have built for 12 years.
The Warriors selected Green out of Michigan State with the 35th overall pick in the second round of the 2012 draft. Kerr has coached him since the 2014-15 season. Since then, Green has become a four-time All-Star, one-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team. Together, Kerr and Green won four NBA championships.
While Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, and then Kevin Durant, constantly turned out the lights, Green left his own mark on the organization: with defensive tenacity, intoxicating court vision and physical rebounding, as well as timely scoring.
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“We have four banners, and obviously a lot of people have been a big part of that, but I’ve said it before and I truly believe it. I don’t think we have one without Draymond,” Kerr said. “That’s how much of an impact he has on winning.”
“So his ability to channel that passion, that emotion, that raw rage that he feels is a key part of what makes us successful. And what I said the other night, I haven’t channeled my own raw emotion and rage, which there is a lot of. We’re more similar than anyone would imagine.”
Kerr cited a long history of turning negative moments into positive momentum during his relationship with Green, which Kerr described as “very complex.” Although Green racked up technical fouls and served his share of suspensions for outbursts during a 14-season NBA career, he is also known for his basketball sense and contemplative commentary.
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“We have always, always found a way to not only bounce back, but make progress as a result,” Kerr said, via Warriors reporter Kenzo Fukuda.
“We are a dynasty in decline. …So what’s happening to us?
With the win over the Magic, the Warriors improved to 15-15. They won consecutive games for the fifth time this season. But they have yet to string together more than three victories in a row.
This version of Golden State is led by Curry, Green and Jimmy Butler III. They are all at least 35 years old. Butler is a Warriors transplant who helped spark a second half last season that ended in the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves after Curry suffered a hamstring strain in the series opener.
“Where we are as a team, as an organization, the most important thing to me is guys recognize that there’s beauty in wrestling. There’s beauty in what we’re trying to accomplish right now,” Kerr said Wednesday. via Danny Emerman of the San Francisco Standard.
“We’re no longer the ’17 Warriors who dominate the league. We’re a dynasty in decline. We know it. Everyone knows it. So what’s going on between us? How do we perform night in and night out? How well are we connected? And can we give each other another shot at the plate? We did it last year. I was really proud of the team last year. Despite the loss to Minnesota and Steph’s injury. Who knows How long would we have stayed? But we gave ourselves a chance.
“We know where we are. We need to know who we are, we need to know what’s possible and we need to be proud of the struggle, because that’s part of life.”
Kerr said he believes settling the dispute with Green was a major step in solving this Warriors team’s problems.
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He sees an opportunity for Golden State to make another run like last year.
As for Green, Kerr wants him to finish his career in a Warriors uniform.
“He is unwaveringly loyal and passionate, and I will fight for him as long as I coach him here,” Kerr said, according to Emerman. “Honestly, I would defend him in 20 years when we’re no longer together. That’s how much I feel for him. And that’s how I want this story to end with us, whenever that happens.”
