Steve Kerr, the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, has been facing some tough decisions regarding his players’ performances this season. Both Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins have had rough starts, with Wiggins being particularly problematic for the team.
In a recent game against the Sacramento Kings, Kerr made a decision that he later regretted. Despite Wiggins finally having a superb game, Kerr substituted him out for Moses Moody during the final minutes of the game. This decision didn’t sit well with Kerr, who admitted his mistake, saying, “I didn’t have my best game as a coach.”
Steve Kerr owns up to his mistakes in last night’s loss to Kings pic.twitter.com/ByMiSKokgR
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) November 30, 2023
Moody had been playing exceptionally well, hitting three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and contributing defensively. Kerr realized that he should have left Moody on the court for a few more minutes. However, Wiggins ended the game with 29 points and 10 rebounds, his best performance of the season.
The Warriors have been struggling, losing eight of their last 10 games. While the team’s struggles can’t be solely attributed to Wiggins and Thompson, Kerr acknowledges that their current performances don’t guarantee them closing minutes. It seems their past achievements are influencing his decisions.
Kerr is starting to grapple with the idea that younger players like Moody, Brandin Podziemski, or Jonathan Kuminga may be ready for more significant roles. While these young talents may not solve all the team’s problems, Kerr believes in the principle that even veterans must earn their minutes when younger players are showing readiness.
The coach is faced with a challenging decision on how long he should stick with Wiggins and Thompson as the team continues to struggle. While he knows it won’t be easy to make a change, Kerr is laying the groundwork for potential adjustments in the future, acknowledging that tough decisions may need to be made publicly.