So let me get this straight. Coach Steve Kerr doesn’t make coaching changes based on what we say in the media?
After a fair amount of clamoring from those outside the locker room to switch the Warriors’ starting lineup, Kerr says he’ll stick with the same starting group he’s settled on after 12 games and a 6-6 record, per Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle. The Warriors will play the champion Lakers on Monday night, as the country celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Much of the clamoring is for the removal of the struggling Kelly Oubre Jr. from the shooting guard spot, mostly in favor of reserve Damion Lee (as called for in the BASH). Kerr likes Oubre as a starter because of his superior talent, despite the struggles, and most of all because of his ability on defense, at 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan.
The starting group has under-performed in their time together for most of the season, though veteran Draymond Green just entered the lineup eight games ago.
So as Kerr says in Letourneau’s above tweet, he will tinker with the rotation. But the starters have been together for fewer than 10 games thus far. Green, Oubre, Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins and rookie center Andrew Wiseman still have to get used to one another.
They made progress against the Nuggets, but in a role reversal, the bench let Golden State down in Denver, notably the pairing of big men Kevon Looney and Eric Paschall, which resulted in lopsided Denver runs.
This is a lot to consider as the champion Lakers are set to welcome the Warriors at Staples Monday night. You’d certainly rather not be in “tinkering” mode against LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Tonight will be a tough test in LA, and ideally for Kerr, his starters — and his tinkered rotation — will earn a passing grade.
(Photo credit Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)
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