₦airaland Forum

Hardetayour:
Klay seems to have lost something cos I don't understand what's happening with him. It was looking like he was back after the Bulls game but I was wrong.

Durant handling the ball is an eye sore. Quin Cooks refusal to shoot sometimes until garbage time is annoying too.

Roland17:
Please read carefully and completely.

Firstly, let me state that it is unnecessary to knock down other coaches because there is an argument against Kerr. People forget that everything Kerr learned as a coach was because he played under Phil Jackson (Bulls) and Greg Popovic (Spurs). Kerr took these playing lessons to the NBA as a coach, tweaked, revised, adjusted and created his system. Let me remind people that he was never an assistant, neither was he around the court after he retired. He was an NBA analyst and before that, he had a management stint with the Sixers, I think. All he knew was from both coaches who I still regard as the greatest minds (alongside Chuk Daly and Jerry Sloan).

Now that I have that out of the way, It would be definitely unfair to argue that Kerr is an overrated coach, however, I will entertain the argument that he is not a great tactician/ strategist. I am not sure a lot of us understand how difficult it is to coach this team and that is where Kerr does not get a lot of credit. In comparison to Jackson, Kerr's style of leadership defers accountability to the players and the players make important decisions regarding themselves. Case in point, sources have it that the players made the decision to suspend Green without pay, not Kerr. The Warriors team was built to succeed with numbers, basically, numbers in strength and this is how Kerr has coached this team since he took over. Last season when KD went down, they struggled and when the postseason came, you could see the difference when the team was healthy. Individually the Warriors struggle but as a team, they are potent. You listen to what KD said after last night's game, "if you take a piece out of this team, we struggle".

My argument is different because Kerr is a rigid coach who plays without alternatives. He sticks to his original strategy, I am not sure if it is because he is stubborn or because he is scared of altering what has made the team successful. There have been games, particularly during the postseason when you expect adjustments because the issues are glaring but you still see the same strategy and sometimes the team loses (the famous choke finals series) and other times, the individual talent of the players pulls them through. There is also the angle that lesser unknown and unsuccessful assistants achieved great results when Kerr was away, albeit under his established system. Walton rode that luck and system into a head coaching position with the Lakers and truth be told, it is only a matter of time and not when before Walton is gone if the Lakers have championship ambitions. But again, while Walton and Brown may have used Kerr's system, there were moments during that run when Walton had to coach during timeouts and this did not require Kerr's input because timeout situations are different. Throughout Kerr's reign, he has not had to deal with the ego of the players spilling into bad blood between players. The Green v KD is my litmus test on how he handles this new situation because the players know there is an elephant in the room that may not be addressed until after the season.

The Warriors team was a great defensive unit before Kerr arrived but Kerr opened up the offense and exploited the already great defense with his philosophy of ball movement, rather than ISO basketball with Monta. I think the biggest piece is how ownership built this team when they chose to move away from Ellington and got Bogut from the Bucks. Bogut changed everything for that team going forward even though he did not stay healthy. Kerr has coached and succeeded with the Warriors for the most part while coaching his core, this is the first run he would be without his core and they are struggling and that is where I have my question about his rating as an all time.

Like @ A40 said, being considered or an argument about being 'overrated" does not mean you are not a good coach, it only means people want to see more in different scenarios to make a better argument for your case. Erik Spoelstra and Rick Carlisle are 2 coaches I respect because they are great tactical minds. Everyone was convinced the Heats would struggle after the Big 3 left but Spoelstra has found a way to keep that team competitive, in fact, he got the heat to the 3rd seed after Bron left and that is the biggest difference between him and Ty Lue who was a product of Lebron's greatness. Carlisle took a lesser talented Mavs side with a sick superstar to the finals and beat Bron and his assembly. I think it would be interesting to see how he coaches the Warriors after some of the core leave or slow down because of age. Last season, I was very clear that the Warriors have to manage Curry carefully after he turned 30 because he is tHe sticking point for this team.

A40:
This is a very fantastic piece! I think it's easy to forget how hard it can be to motivate in November a team that is already tuned to Spring time basketball and then to do it for 3 to 4 straight years. It also helps that Kerr is unafraid to borrow ideas and implement. I recall one of his video guys advising him to bench Bogut in the 15 Finals and start Iggy

You raised a glut of solid points that I can't help but agree with and I'd also add that the major reason why some might consider Kerr overrated because of his struggles thus far and assuming it stays that way is that you would expect a team with KD and Klay Thompson to be able to cope with the absence of Steph regardless of playing style.

Star players go down in sports all the time but I don't know a team in the league better equipped to cope with the loss of a star than Golden State. The mantra is Strength in Numbers but what is happening atm is an antithesis to that creed. Ask around the league and I doubt any coach would buy the absence of Steph as an excuse for the team struggling thus far. Anyway time will ultimately tell. Like I said KD and Klay are definitely enough for this team to at least compete

birdman:
happy thanksgiving to all out here...even d warriors fans

life is short, i stay grateful

A40:
The Cavs are blowing out Philly. Lol of all teams to end their home streak. Why we were telling that chap to stop betting on regular season NBA

Roland17:
I dey tell you!!! But, I think they showed glimpses of renewal in the loss to LeBum and the Lakers.

A40:
Sexton looks like a decent prospect. Much better than the ridiculously hyped Trae Young. They can do much better than their record.

Phoenix have been the biggest disappointment. Their refusal to play defense means TJ Warren and Devin Booker's primes would likely be wasted

Roland17:
LMAO @ Trae. I knew it would be impossible to replicate those Curry type shots in the NBA. The kid went from shooting 36% from beyond the arc in Oklahoma to a paltry 23.8% in the NBA.

As for the Suns, they drafted Ayton number who has not particularly met the hype on offense, neither is he interested in playing defense. I mean he gets the numbers here and there but nothing strong enough to support Booker and Warren. He is still a rookie with a lot of upsides but I hope he does not up like J. Okafor or N. Noel. Things happen very fast in the NBA and teams move on quicker than in the past.

A40:
Pelicans lost, Suns outplaying the Bucks

Roland17:
M. Harrell (Clippers) has to win the most improved player of the season. The guy is balling out of his mind.

aliondo:
To bet in the NBA is damn risky

A40:
@Decale
How does it feel knowing Andrew Wiggins and Rob Covington went 1/30 and the Bulls still lost

Decale:
I was about typing this...


Howwwwwwwww?

Decale:
I was about typing this...


Howwwwwwwww?

A40:
Dwight Howard ooh aye ti fe idi si Bobo yi sha! Literally

Roland17:
Which kain "juju" Rick Carlisle and him coaching staff work on top D. Jordan free throw? The man went from shooting 58% from the FT last season to now shooting over 80%!!!

No more Hack a Jodan..

birdman:
the funny part is he refuses to talk about. no wan jix am lol