Kerr forced to break customary NBA tradition due to Warriors’ depth

Kerr forced to break customary NBA tradition due to Warriors’ depth originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

PORTLAND, Ore. – One impressive win against a rebuilding team, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr is threatening 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 ready to play 13.

Maybe 14, for that’s how many Warriors took the court Tuesday night in a 139-104 throttling of the Portland Trail Blazers on Moda 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 on anybody, but we just have to trust that from one night to the next, we’re going to find guys and combinations that really work. And the guys have to understand that some night it’s their night, and some nights it’s not.”

This decision was made Monday, Kerr said, three days after he told Lindy Waters (the 13th man) and Gui Santos (14th) they were not in the rotation.

“Two days ago, I was thinking maybe I’ll 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’ve 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, that has a chance to work. Al Attles played 13 guys, and needed them all, as the Warriors pulled off one of the biggest NBA Finals upsets ever. Kerr played as many 12 in his first season – which also ended with a victory in the Finals.

“There were times when we played 11,” Kerr said. “That’s tricky. But never 12. We’re going to try to do it.”

To a man, those on the roster are ready to roll with this novel idea. They are warm to the idea of the concept where “everybody gets to eat” because it promotes a healthy environment.

“Our energy has been great from Day 1 of training camp,” Stephen Curry said. “It’s a beautiful locker room, with guys are happy to be here and happy to play the way that we do. They understand…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kerr-forced-break-customary-nba-070814030.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-10-24 07:08:00

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