For the 4th time in a row, in Phoenix, the Warriors bit the dust, and even if they have not lost all the benefit of their very good start, here they are 4th in the West with 12 victories for 7 defeats . The absence for the rest of the season of De'Anthony Melton does not justify this slump in Golden Stateand perhaps the explanation lies in this choice to play with 12, 13 players. Steve Kerr knows this.
“If things don't work out, which is obviously the case right now in this little bit of a down period, then we have to think about rotation and what we're going to do about it.” he replied Saturday evening. “I like all these guys, and I believe in each and every one of them. But we have to do what it takes for us to win. »
Difficult to find your rhythm in short sequences
And that could therefore involve a reduction in the rotation, probably from 12 to 10 players. Currently, twelve Warriors play 12 minutes or more on average, or a minimum of one quarter. And even 13 if we include Melton; Which means that the Golden State coach is making more changes, and Kevon Looney concedes that “can be difficult to find your rhythm, when you don’t know, from match to match, what to expect”.
Same feeling with Stephen Curry, even if he is not concerned by this uncertainty over his playing time. “It’s hard for anyone to try to find a rhythm or know what you’re going to be asked to do.” he admits.
Don't sulk, and don't drag the locker room down
But what Curry asks is that everyone remains focused on the collective goal and demonstrates altruism and good spirit. “ We want it to work and prove that it’s the right solution” continues the All-Star point guard. “We're on a four-game losing streak, so we have to make adjustments, whatever that means. And everyone must be ready to do what is asked of them. If you're not playing, you have to stay sharp. It's difficult too. There is no other solution. … The coach's job is to make those tough decisions. Our role is to help him. If you're not playing, don't sulk. Don't drag the locker room down. It doesn't help anyone — including you. And I hope that we will turn things around and that everyone will be happy again. »
But for Kerr, we should not be alarmed either since the question did not arise at the start of the season when the Warriors were winning a series of victories. “When you win, everything is great! As soon as we lose, we have guys who get annoyed… I've been in their shoes, and I used to blame my coach when he didn't make me play. It’s like that… It’s the NBA. It's a high-level and vicious championship. Four matches ago, we were on top of the world. It's a whole. »
