The Golden State Warriors signed Kevin Durant this summer. Did you know that? They took a 73-win nucleus, and attached another top-three superstar to it. Did you know that? Of course you did. It’s all anyone is talking about with regard to the Warriors—well that, and the lack of depth that, frankly, is being overblown.
Few people are talking about head coach Steve Kerr, and the back problem from which he suffered last year that caused him to miss a large portion of Golden State’s historic regular-season March. This issue still exists. It’s a thing.
General manager Bob Myers addressed the situation while appearing on KNBR’s Murph & Mac, per KNBR.com’s Kevin Jones:
“I think he’s better than he was last year at this time, but he’s not completely better,” Myers said. “He’s on the mend. I think we’re still waiting for the day when he’s 100 percent. He’s in a better place, and he’s dealing with it the best he can. He’s on the path to recovery, to be honest. I think he’s trending in the right direction. I will celebrate the day when it’s completely 100 percent and he feels like he did before.
After reading that, you further appreciate how difficult it must have been for Kerr to coach at all last season. His back issues were serious, and if he’s in pain now, that means he was, likely, in even more pain a few months ago, when he was traveling and coaching extensive hours. That’s pretty badass on his part.
We should hope Kerr continues to get better and reaches 100 percent out of sheer human decency. But for the Warriors’ sake, fans should also hope he isn’t forced to miss much, if any, time once again. His healthy obviously comes first, but the Warriors don’t have a glitzy second-in-command anymore. Alvin Gentry left after their 2015 title for the gig with the New Orleans Pelicans, and Luke Walton, who took Golden State’s reins in Kerr’s absence last season, was hired on as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. He was, ostensibly, replaced by Mike Brown. Mike Brown.
Yes, there are still some talented people on Kerr’s staff. But the Warriors, facing greater expectations than even the 2010-11 Miami Heat, need him to be on the sidelines more than ever. No realistic substitute will do this time around—which both attests to his skill as a coach and culture-builder, and the magnitude of the season on which Golden State is about to embark.
