Kerr going through toughest stretch of coaching career: 'This is the real NBA'
It's been tough sledding for the Golden State Warriors as of late.
With the Draymond Green and Kevin Durant spat, injuries to key players, and the team losing four of its last five outings, head coach Steve Kerr admits this ongoing stretch is the most challenging that he's endured on the job.
"I've had a dream run for four-and-a-half years. We've had such a charmed existence the last four seasons," Kerr said following Golden State's 104-92 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. "This is the toughest stretch we've been in. This is the real NBA. We haven't been in the real NBA in the last few years. We've been in this dream. So now we're faced with real adversity and have got to get out of it ourselves."
The defending two-time champions have seen their production on both ends plummet since Nov. 12 when they fell 121-116 to the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime - which was also the night Green and Durant had their confrontation. Golden State ranks 24th in offense, 23rd in defense, and 24th in true shooting percentage since then, although Green has missed time due to suspension and a toe injury, while Stephen Curry has been out with a strained groin.
Durant and Klay Thompson attempted 51 of the Warriors' 86 shots against San Antonio, converting 19 of them for 51 points. Kerr knows he needs those two to score more with Curry hurt, but he doesn't want them to try and do too much at the detriment of the team.
"I think we've been talking about it, just executing as a team and getting better shots," Kerr said. "Our team the last few years has been one of the most efficient teams in the history of the league. That's not going from going one on one. That's from sharing the ball, ball moving, everyone trusting each other.
"I admire those guys trying to get us going, but we've got to rely on the whole group and compete together."
Golden State has had just a pair of three-game losing skids over the last two campaigns. They'll look to avoid their first four-game losing streak on Wednesday when they return home to Oracle Arena to host the Oklahoma City Thunder.