PHOENIX SUNS

TNT analysts rip Suns’ reaction to Warriors’ player-run huddles

Feb 13, 2018, 3:04 PM

Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green, right, calls a play from the bench during the second half of...

Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green, right, calls a play from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

In the midst of a 46-point win, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr delegated coaching duties to his players on Monday against the Phoenix Suns.

The tactic was used by Kerr to help his team regain focus, much to the chagrin of a few Suns. Guard Troy Daniels told Scott Bordow of the Arizona Republic it was ‘disrespectful.’ Forward Jared Dudley expressed to ESPN that teams don’t respect the Suns, but it is up to them to make a change.

Asked if they agreed with Kerr’s decision, former all-stars and current TNT analysts Chris Webber and Reggie Miller replied with more than just a resounding “yes.”

And in doing so, they weren’t light on the Suns’ reaction.

“The fact that Phoenix [complained] shows they have a long way to go in the locker room,” Webber said in a media conference call. “They don’t have a leader in the locker room that says, ‘We deserve to get our butts beat like that. In a couple of years, we’re going to turn it around so we can coach ourselves.’ So I have no words for that, but it’s not right. I’ll say something crazy.”

Related: Triano takes no offense to Steve Kerr’s coaching tactics

The loss was Phoenix’s fourth 40-point defeat of the season and 26th by double-digits.

Miller, the former Pacers guard, was blunt about how he would have reacted to losing by a wide margin.

“Lace them up, 3 o’clock in the morning,” Miller said on the conference call. “We’re doing [running drills] and then we’re going to run Camelback Mountain. I don’t want to hear your mouths. Are you kidding me? [26 double-digit losses], and you’re worried about Andre Iguodala coaching and David West coaching?”

At 44-13, the Warriors have the best record in the NBA.

However, the team has shown signs of complacency in recent weeks, prompting the use of Kerr’s strategy, which Webber guessed might’ve come from working under San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

“Kerr knows his guys better than anyone. Very honestly, I think it was a brilliant move as far as chemistry,” Webber said. “But I don’t think it was a stretch as far as IQ. You’re halfway through the season. You know what plays you call. You know when you have a good coach like Kerr with what he has been harping on. All it does is make you take ownership in what he’s been trying to teach the whole time.”

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

6 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

10 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

13 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

TNT analysts rip Suns’ reaction to Warriors’ player-run huddles