Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and star player Stephen Curry have recently emphasized the importance of team-oriented play to their younger teammates. Following a victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kerr highlighted the necessity of ball movement and making strategic decisions, especially when playing alongside a talent like Curry. He stated, “We have Steph Curry on our team. So, pass the ball. Move the ball… This is how we’ve played for 10 years, and it’s important for our young players to understand.”
Kerr’s comments were particularly pertinent to the team’s younger players, including second-year guard Brandin Podziemski. Kerr emphasized the need to avoid taking ill-advised shots early in the shot clock, advocating instead for passing to create better opportunities, especially when Curry is on the floor. He remarked, “We don’t need contested 17-footers with 12 on the shot clock. That’s a bad shot… When you have Steph Curry on your team, pass the ball.”
In response, Podziemski acknowledged the guidance but emphasized his instinctual style of play. He stated, “I don’t really think. I just play. When I’m out there and I’m open, I shoot it. If not, I make a play… I know we have Steph Curry on the court, and if he’s open, I’m going to throw the ball to him.”
Curry himself has encouraged decisiveness and confidence among his teammates. He noted, “Anybody who plays with me has to play decisive and confident. You’re okay with the mistakes as long as they’re done with the right intentions.”
Kerr further stressed the importance of ball movement, stating, “When you have Steph Curry on your team, you pass the ball. Because if you pass it two or three times, the defense is scrambling. All hell breaks loose.” He warned against settling for suboptimal shots, suggesting that such choices could lead to the team underperforming. “We can either do that and win games, or we can shoot a whole bunch of 15-foot contested shots in the middle of the shot clock and be a lousy NBA team. It’s up to us, and we are hammering that point home with our team,” Kerr asserted.
These messages from Kerr and Curry underscore the Warriors’ commitment to a style of play that prioritizes ball movement, unselfishness, and strategic decision-making. By instilling these principles in their younger players, the team aims to maintain the high standards that have been the hallmark of their success over the past decade.
In summary, the guidance from Kerr and Curry serves as a reminder of the importance of cohesive team play and the effective utilization of star talent. Their emphasis on ball movement and making smart decisions is intended to help the Warriors’ younger players integrate seamlessly into the team’s established system, ensuring continued success on the court.
