Warriors coach Steve Kerr speaks to reporters following Golden State’s practice on Thursday at Chase Center.
Steve Kerr previews Warriors vs. Wizards, final stretch of 2025-26 NBA season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Video Transcript
With, as we segue off that, what is he, what, what is Steph able to do right now?
With, as we segue off that, what is he, what, what is Steph able to do right now?
well he’s spending a lot of time with Rick.
well he’s spending a lot of time with Rick.
So I’m on the court, and Steph’s in the training room with Rick, so I can’t tell you, much more than that.
So I’m on the court, and Steph’s in the training room with Rick, so I can’t tell you, much more than that.
What was, practice like today?
What was, practice like today?
very light.
very light.
we got ready for Washington with our scout, and then we went over some of the things that, hurt us last night and, but we got on the floor.
we got ready for Washington with our scout, and then we went over some of the things that, hurt us last night and, but we got on the floor.
you know, quick warm up, and you know, covered, covered some of our bases, and now we’re getting the guys out of here.
you know, quick warm up, and you know, covered, covered some of our bases, and now we’re getting the guys out of here.
Steve, you guys, made 26 free throws, but I think took 38.
Steve, you guys, made 26 free throws, but I think took 38.
Without Steph, without so much outside shooting and star power, how important is maybe slowing down the game and getting to the free throw line for you guys?
Without Steph, without so much outside shooting and star power, how important is maybe slowing down the game and getting to the free throw line for you guys?
if you can get to the line, it just sets everything up.
if you can get to the line, it just sets everything up.
You get easy points, and you also set your defense up.
You get easy points, and you also set your defense up.
So it’s a, it’s a big deal.
So it’s a, it’s a big deal.
It’s not something that we do particularly well, but last night, we got to the line a lot, and it definitely helped our defense.
It’s not something that we do particularly well, but last night, we got to the line a lot, and it definitely helped our defense.
Brandon was 8 for 8 from the free throw line too, and I know he’s had a little bit of ups and downs at the line.
Brandon was 8 for 8 from the free throw line too, and I know he’s had a little bit of ups and downs at the line.
Can that be a, a next element or next phase of, of his offense as well, just with how unique his offense is?
Can that be a, a next element or next phase of, of his offense as well, just with how unique his offense is?
What, what, just getting to the line?
What, what, just getting to the line?
Just being able to get to the line.
Just being able to get to the line.
Well, he’s, he’s figuring out the, the rules.
Well, he’s, he’s figuring out the, the rules.
You know, you can see him doing, the foul drawing stuff, and, so he’s, he’s a clever player in that regard.
You know, you can see him doing, the foul drawing stuff, and, so he’s, he’s a clever player in that regard.
He’s, understanding how the league operates and, you know, manipulating some fouls.
He’s, understanding how the league operates and, you know, manipulating some fouls.
And if you can do it, you know, you do it.
And if you can do it, you know, you do it.
Hi.
Hi.
So, so most the players talk about Moses as a quiet person.
So, so most the players talk about Moses as a quiet person.
Th- Most the players talk about, Moses as a quiet person.
Th- Most the players talk about, Moses as a quiet person.
Uh-huh.
Uh-huh.
They talk about his presence and, how special he is.
They talk about his presence and, how special he is.
I was curious, how do you view this, his, this special, quiet energy impacting the locker room?
I was curious, how do you view this, his, this special, quiet energy impacting the locker room?
Well, Moses has a lot of respect from the group because of, the way he carries himself.
Well, Moses has a lot of respect from the group because of, the way he carries himself.
There’s a quiet dignity about him.
There’s a quiet dignity about him.
You know, he, he always puts in his work.
You know, he, he always puts in his work.
he always supports his teammates.
he always supports his teammates.
he, is a, a really good defensive player, you know, always taking on the best, offensive player on the perimeter, and, he’s earned the players’ respect, you know, just the way he carries himself over the years.
he, is a, a really good defensive player, you know, always taking on the best, offensive player on the perimeter, and, he’s earned the players’ respect, you know, just the way he carries himself over the years.
taking was a big topic yesterday.
taking was a big topic yesterday.
Adam certainly talked a lot about it, needing to solve that in the off season, maybe changing some of the way we, we do the lottery and things like that.
Adam certainly talked a lot about it, needing to solve that in the off season, maybe changing some of the way we, we do the lottery and things like that.
I just wondered if you had a comment on that.
I just wondered if you had a comment on that.
I mean, I’m glad, the league is addressing it.
I mean, I’m glad, the league is addressing it.
I think it’s necessary, and I have every, faith in Adam and the, and the league, in terms of figuring out, you know, how they’re gonna do that.
I think it’s necessary, and I have every, faith in Adam and the, and the league, in terms of figuring out, you know, how they’re gonna do that.
It’s not a, an easy one to figure, but, I, I trust the league.
It’s not a, an easy one to figure, but, I, I trust the league.
last night, Draymond went at l- talked, spoke at length about, Victor Wembanyama’s comments about- About what?
last night, Draymond went at l- talked, spoke at length about, Victor Wembanyama’s comments about- About what?
About Victor Wembanyama’s comments about defense being 50% of the game, and, with, i- in terms of the MVP I guess, and how valuable defense is.
About Victor Wembanyama’s comments about defense being 50% of the game, and, with, i- in terms of the MVP I guess, and how valuable defense is.
And Draymond said defense is something that people, a lot of people can’t recognize or don’t really understand what they’re seeing.
And Draymond said defense is something that people, a lot of people can’t recognize or don’t really understand what they’re seeing.
I’ve wondered, do you think there’s anything the NBA can do to make fan- not make fans, but find a way to help fans appreciate that side more and more since it is such an offensive game and defense goes under the radar so much?
I’ve wondered, do you think there’s anything the NBA can do to make fan- not make fans, but find a way to help fans appreciate that side more and more since it is such an offensive game and defense goes under the radar so much?
Yeah.
Yeah.
I, I’ve never given that an ounce of thought so, I’m concerned with our own defense.
I, I’ve never given that an ounce of thought so, I’m concerned with our own defense.
I don’t care about how the fans perceive, our defense, but, so what did Victor say, 60% of the game?
I don’t care about how the fans perceive, our defense, but, so what did Victor say, 60% of the game?
50%.
50%.
50%.
50%.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
well, I think it’s proven over the years that, the teams that win championships, are always good defensively.
well, I think it’s proven over the years that, the teams that win championships, are always good defensively.
I mean, these days you really have to be top 10 on both sides of the ball.
I mean, these days you really have to be top 10 on both sides of the ball.
that’s historically been the case, and the teams that do fall outside of that, defensive top 10 rat- rating usually are veteran teams that turn it up quite a bit in the playoffs and become a top, top 10 defense.
that’s historically been the case, and the teams that do fall outside of that, defensive top 10 rat- rating usually are veteran teams that turn it up quite a bit in the playoffs and become a top, top 10 defense.
So, yeah, two, it’s two-way basketball is what it’s all about, and, I agree with Victor and, and Draymond that, you know, two-way players should be recognized.
So, yeah, two, it’s two-way basketball is what it’s all about, and, I agree with Victor and, and Draymond that, you know, two-way players should be recognized.
when, when you, when you think about all the voting for MVP and first team all NBA, all that stuff, defense is a huge part of things.
when, when you, when you think about all the voting for MVP and first team all NBA, all that stuff, defense is a huge part of things.
Steve, you guys have been at 10 for a few days now.
Steve, you guys have been at 10 for a few days now.
I know you wanna get higher, but what gives you, I guess, hope that you can get to nine or maybe even eight?
I know you wanna get higher, but what gives you, I guess, hope that you can get to nine or maybe even eight?
What are, what are the things that tell you that it’s possible, besides the mathematics?
What are, what are the things that tell you that it’s possible, besides the mathematics?
Well, you just, you just plug away each day.
Well, you just, you just plug away each day.
I mean, yesterday was not a good performance, but we got, got it done.
I mean, yesterday was not a good performance, but we got, got it done.
So we’re trying to build for tomorrow, and, I feel much better about our, ability to go out and perform tomorrow night based on, you know, having our legs underneath us, back from the trip now for a few days, sleeping in our own beds.
So we’re trying to build for tomorrow, and, I feel much better about our, ability to go out and perform tomorrow night based on, you know, having our legs underneath us, back from the trip now for a few days, sleeping in our own beds.
I think we should come out tomorrow and, and really put a good, good effort out there, and if we can do that, we build some momentum.
I think we should come out tomorrow and, and really put a good, good effort out there, and if we can do that, we build some momentum.
It would be our third win in a row, and if our habits are good, if we’re taking care of the ball, if we’re defending and communicating, making things difficult, then that’s, that’s what gives me hope.
It would be our third win in a row, and if our habits are good, if we’re taking care of the ball, if we’re defending and communicating, making things difficult, then that’s, that’s what gives me hope.
You know?
You know?
You, y- it’s all about the process.
You, y- it’s all about the process.
So when you look at where you are now-How important is it, I guess, how crucial is it that you- that the reinforcements start to come in over the next few games?
So when you look at where you are now-How important is it, I guess, how crucial is it that you- that the reinforcements start to come in over the next few games?
yeah, I mean, that’s, it’s, it’s always crucial come, you know, playoff time.
yeah, I mean, that’s, it’s, it’s always crucial come, you know, playoff time.
The teams that win are the ones that are healthy and, get, we get, clutch performances, you know, in key games.
The teams that win are the ones that are healthy and, get, we get, clutch performances, you know, in key games.
I mean, that’s how it always has been.
I mean, that’s how it always has been.
And so, we, we have to try to get as healthy as possible and give ourselves a chance.
And so, we, we have to try to get as healthy as possible and give ourselves a chance.
We, Sorry.
We, Sorry.
Not so fast.
Not so fast.
We talked a little bit yesterday about how thin you guys are at the wing now that Moses and Jimmy are gone.
We talked a little bit yesterday about how thin you guys are at the wing now that Moses and Jimmy are gone.
What are some of the ramifications of, like, having to play more three-guard lineups?
What are some of the ramifications of, like, having to play more three-guard lineups?
And, and what do you guys need to do to make those kind of lineups work?
And, and what do you guys need to do to make those kind of lineups work?
Well, you, you miss the size and the strength on, on the wings defensively.
Well, you, you miss the size and the strength on, on the wings defensively.
And so you’re, you’re just M- I mean, you just look across the board at whoever we’re playing.
And so you’re, you’re just M- I mean, you just look across the board at whoever we’re playing.
You know, whether it’s, you know, Portland with Denny or, or the Clippers with Kawhi, Phoenix with Booker.
You know, whether it’s, you know, Portland with Denny or, or the Clippers with Kawhi, Phoenix with Booker.
I mean, you know, Moses, Jimmy, those guys would be on those players.
I mean, you know, Moses, Jimmy, those guys would be on those players.
So it there’s a domino effect to, what it does defensively.
So it there’s a domino effect to, what it does defensively.
We’ve been putting Draymond on, on those type of players, the, the last few weeks and, and have had some success.
We’ve been putting Draymond on, on those type of players, the, the last few weeks and, and have had some success.
But, doesn’t always work matchup-wise, ’cause that means you have to put one of your smaller guards on the four man.
But, doesn’t always work matchup-wise, ’cause that means you have to put one of your smaller guards on the four man.
And, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, depending on personnel.
And, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, depending on personnel.
So it just gets much more difficult to, to match up with the variety of looks and schemes and personnel that you’re seeing from one night to the next.
So it just gets much more difficult to, to match up with the variety of looks and schemes and personnel that you’re seeing from one night to the next.
And Arizona’s got a big game tonight in San Jose.
And Arizona’s got a big game tonight in San Jose.
What do you think about their chances?
What do you think about their chances?
I’ll be there.
I’ll be there.
I’m excited, yeah.
I’m excited, yeah.
It’s, They have a, a great team this year, and Tommy Lloyd’s doing an amazing job.
It’s, They have a, a great team this year, and Tommy Lloyd’s doing an amazing job.
fun team to watch.
fun team to watch.
Kind of old school.
Kind of old school.
They don’t shoot a ton of threes.
They don’t shoot a ton of threes.
They kinda hammer you inside, and, a lot of depth on the interior and so it’s a fun team.
They kinda hammer you inside, and, a lot of depth on the interior and so it’s a fun team.
You and Moses got anything on the line?
You and Moses got anything on the line?
Well, we were getting ready to, and, unfortunately, he’s not, you know, he’s not gonna be there.
Well, we were getting ready to, and, unfortunately, he’s not, you know, he’s not gonna be there.
He was planning on going and, he’s, he’s, gonna have his surgery done.
He was planning on going and, he’s, he’s, gonna have his surgery done.
And, so yeah, I don’t think it’s the right time for, for a friendly wager.
And, so yeah, I don’t think it’s the right time for, for a friendly wager.
But, yeah, it’s He’s, he’s excited, I’m excited, and always fun when your alma mater’s playing in the tournament, especially in your backyard.
But, yeah, it’s He’s, he’s excited, I’m excited, and always fun when your alma mater’s playing in the tournament, especially in your backyard.
Do you know when Moses’ surgery will be?
Do you know when Moses’ surgery will be?
I’m gonna leave that up to Raymond.
I’m gonna leave that up to Raymond.
I do, but I don’t know if we’re allowed to say.
I do, but I don’t know if we’re allowed to say.