It's a case of good timing. On the one hand, GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. was looking for a way to bring new blood into the Warriors' staff. On the other, Jerry Stackhouse had just walked out the door at Vanderbilt. The two sides couldn't help but agree, especially since Steve Kerr wanted to bring a former player onto his staff.
“In a former player, there's this ability to say to our players, 'I've been there, I've done that. I know exactly what you're going through.'”, explains Steve Kerr. “Jerry did it at a very high level, but he also coached at a high level. That meant a lot to me.”
Jerry Stackhouse will contribute in particular to the development of players on the outside. He has already been working since the Summer Leagues and has participated in sessions with Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody.
“That was my job.”recalls the former NBA top scorer. I've been in their shoes. I understand what they're going through, from a young player looking for a contract to a player whose game is evolving as he gets older. I'm an 18-year veteran. Hopefully I can come in and motivate, inspire and help these guys take the next step and enjoy these years with Steph and Draymond (Green), maximizing the end of their careers.”
Mike Brown's replacement?
If the former scorer for the Pistons and the Sixers convinced the Warriors management, it is also for his vision of the defense exposed during his interview with the franchise.
With simple principles, Jerry Stackhouse expects to reduce the number of 3-pointers conceded per game last season. With 13.3 three-pointers conceded, the Warriors finished 21st out of 30 in that department.
“For me, it's just about getting on the ball carrier without getting passed. Because those things kill you too,” he believes. “You have to find the right balance. Go up with one hand in the air to discourage them from shooting. The numbers are there. Shots taken with one hand in the air go in less often than without. It’s not a total overhaul. These are subtle things that you have to respect possession after possession, game after game.”
To remobilize the Warriors' defense, Jerry Stackhouse will be able to count on Draymond Green, as long as he behaves himself on the court, in order to instill a sense of defense in his teammates.
“I think we're made of the same wood in terms of competitiveness and wanting to gain the upper hand,” concludes Jerry Stackhouse. “His approach to defense and the things he does fit well with how I want us to defend individually, with technique and tenacity. You can go far when you have someone who exudes all of those things.”
