Warriors coach Steve Kerr lets players run huddles against Suns
Feb 12, 2018, 9:45 PM | Updated: Jun 17, 2022, 7:49 am
Coach @andre leads the @warriors huddle!#DubNation pic.twitter.com/bePWnGnuve
— NBA (@NBA) February 13, 2018
Former Phoenix Suns general manager and current Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr tried out something new against the Suns Monday.
According to the Warriors’ television broadcast, Kerr is letting the players run his huddles during timeouts and has given the responsibility to the players.
During a timeout, forward Andre Iguodala is seen being handed a clipboard by Kerr and running through some things with the Golden State players in the game.
This was maintained throughout the first quarter.
Draymond not even waiting for the clipboard anymore, he's confidently strolling out with it now pic.twitter.com/c4sQS1PEUJ
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 13, 2018
It’s safe to say that the opponent for Kerr’s team had something to do with his willingness to try the idea.
Draymond, in a suit, just walked over to the coaches box to tell Nick Young what they were running. He's in full coach mode
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) February 13, 2018
The Suns entered the game with a record of 18-39, and if they were to lose Monday night, they’d become the first team in the league to reach 40 losses.
Meanwhile, the Warriors care so little about this game against the Suns that they are having a different player run the huddle during each timeout. First Andre Iguodala, then Draymond Green, now David West. Steve Kerr is just hanging out.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 13, 2018
The move didn’t seem to change the Warriors’ level of play against the Suns. Despite a strong first half of 20 points from Elfrid Payton, the Warriors led 62-45 at halftime and won the game 129-83.
It sure looks like Steve Kerr just spent a minute explaining to Jay Triano why he didn't coach his team in tonight's game. (FWIW: Triano didn't look upset).
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 13, 2018
After the game, Kerr said it was a decision he made after the last game they played, per ESPN’s Chris Haynes.
“It’s their team,” Kerr said. He claimed there was a lack of focus from his team in the last month and felt the move helped out their communication.
Kerr also had the players run the team’s shootaround and film session, per The Athletic’s Anthony Slater.
Suns interim head coach Jay Triano wasn’t upset by Kerr’s decision.
Suns coach Jay Triano to ESPN: “I noticed their plays were a little better tonight,” he joked. “Nah, I didn’t have a problem with what Steve did.”
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 13, 2018
