SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has adjusted his approach for the upcoming season, omitting championship expectations from his preseason address. Kerr stated that there will be no special treatment for star players Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, emphasizing the need for all players to improve ball security after the team finished near the bottom in turnovers last season.
Kerr described this shift as part of a broader effort to 'reimagine' Warriors basketball as he enters his 14th season, particularly with an aging roster. He noted that the team is not discussing championships this year, a departure from previous seasons where such goals were emphasized.
'Last year I think I told the team in our first meeting, ‘we’re trying to win the championship,’' Kerr said. 'This season, I am 100% locked in on the process on how we’re teaching every single day.'
The Warriors are facing challenges, including injuries to key players like Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, which will delay their return until at least midway through the season. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. expressed cautious optimism about the team’s prospects, stating, 'we’re humbly optimistic about the prospect for this team.'
Kerr acknowledged that the team is not expected to compete for a championship, with DraftKings listing 14 teams with better title odds. Despite this, Curry signed a two-year extension with the Warriors, taking a pay cut to provide the team with more flexibility.
Curry expressed his commitment to the team and community, stating, 'This is home. This is what we’ve built.' He reacted to a reporter's comment about low expectations for the team with surprise, indicating that he did not share the same pessimism.
Kerr, however, sees the underdog status as an opportunity to focus on development and improvement. 'I don’t mind the fact that everyone is picking us to miss the playoffs,' he said. 'For me what it means is we get to focus on the process.'
The Warriors aim to clean up their game and build momentum as they await the return of injured players. Kerr noted that the team lost too many close games last season and is looking to address those issues. Green is also adjusting his role, expected to take more perimeter shots as part of the team's evolving strategy.
Green remarked on the importance of process over expectations, stating, 'Put together a great process and then you get to the end, and you let the cards fall where they may.'