They’re on pace for the largest reversal of fortune from one season to the next in NBA history, a precipitous fall from grace to the ground at a speed that would normally leave most players and coaches whiplashed, dazed and in the dumps.
But where’s all the worry within the Warriors?
Don’t get it twisted; of course the Warriors would rather win regularly, as they did spectacularly the last five seasons. But while they lack a healthy win-loss record and seasonal outlook right now, they’re maintaining a healthy perspective, and for good reason.
They know, and we know, that this pain is temporary, and the fun returns next season when they can finally lift their finger off the reset button and put a superior product on the floor again
You can classify this as a halftime break, a well-earned breather from an era where the Warriors worked from October into June for half a decade. So don’t cry for the Warriors — not that anyone is actually doing so — especially because they aren’t crying themselves.
"I'm actually really enjoying this season," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “And that may sound strange.”
Some context is in order: Kerr isn’t embracing all these Ls. He’s merely taking a level of satisfaction from the sudden shift from the rigors of winning. All the expectations, demands, pressure, outside noise, egos and trying to motivate a historically-great team for several months are no longer on his shoulders. The drastic scenery change is giving Kerr a fresh outlook on basketball, the coaching profession and what’s now required of him. It’s a different sort of challenge that’s rousting a new energy from within him.
But the real reason Kerr and company aren’t troubled by the current state of Golden State is the blueprint sitting in front of them, waiting to be realized in 2020-21. Seriously, it’s borderline brilliant:
Get a healthy Steph Curry and Klay Thompson back, rested and rejuvenated.
Prevent Draymond from overload this season — he’s currently taking his time allowing a bruised heel to heal — and unleash him this time next year.
Finish low enough in the standings this season to increase the odds of landing a high lottery pick next June, and select such a player, or swap him for more immediate help.
Determine if D’Angelo Russell fits well within a three-guard rotation with Curry and Thompson — three players who can each drop 20-plus points a night — or trade him for a versatile swingman or proven rim protector.
Develop next season’s supporting cast right now, with emerging young talent such as Eric Paschall, Glenn Robinson III, Ky Bowman and Alec Burks all getting plenty of playing time and doing promising things with it.
You can safely project the Warriors as a championship contender if all of the above fall into place. Should they also get lucky and add a distressed star or a diamond in the rough, then they’d vault right back into the favorite’s chair, currently being kept warm by the Lakers, Clippers and Bucks.
Photo: https://clutchpoints.com/warriors-news-steve-kerr-thinks-this-trying-season-helping-him-become-better-coach/