Steve Kerr: “I don’t need to tell our players ‘hey get desperate.’
The Golden State Warriors haven’t lost many games this season, but they are 1-0 down in the Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City.
Steve Kerr was as calm as a retired librarian.
Wearing a light grey shirt and casting a lonesome figure at the press table, Kerr spoke to media about what went wrong for Golden State against Oklahoma City in Game 1 last night. Rather than rant and unveil a long grocery list of demands for Game 2, he said his team just needs to be better.
A Game 1 loss would have irked any other coach in the NBA. Not Kerr. He remained confident that his record-breaking, 73-9 regular season team could turn things around.
“We know how we have to play. We need to move and create rhythm with our screening and our cutting,” Kerr said. “I just felt we took too many quick ones that took us out of our rhythm.”
Most of the time Kerr remained unfazed by the Game 1 result and opted to answer questions either resting his head on his head or folding his arms. When a reporter asked Kerr whether or not he felt “desperate” after losing Game 1, Kerr smiled and said he’d like to win Game 2.
"“Sure, we’re 1-0 at home. You can use whatever word you want. It’s a long series. Our players know to win the next game would be good. We’ll come out and play better.”- Steve Kerr"
Kerr acknowledged the Warriors’ second half was well below what he expected of them, a second half that included eight turnovers and an overdose of fouls — Oklahoma City scored 22 points at the line to the Warriors 11 over the course of the game.
Even when asked by the San Francisco Chronicle whether or not he thought league MVP Steph Curry, who racked up seven turnovers, tried to do too much, Kerr didn’t hesitate to speak openly about Curry’s errant ball use.
“I thought the first half he was careless with the ball. You can’t throw the ball over the top of these guys. They are a long-limbed team,” Kerr said. “Every team is different. You have to adapt accordingly with each opponent. I’m sure we’ll make the adjustments and take better care of the ball.”
Although the Warriors appear to have some work to do, going by Kerr’s composed demeanor in last night’s press conference, he expects a Game 2 win at home tomorrow night.
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