Steve Kerr Faces Age Challenge with Warriors

LOS ANGELES — Steve Kerr is acutely aware of the age-related challenges facing his team. Coaching NBA stars in their mid-to-late 30s means acknowledging the inevitability of Father Time affecting performance, regardless of the Golden State Warriors’ talented core.

After a strong season opener where Steph Curry (37), Jimmy Butler (35), and Draymond Green (35) contributed significantly to a 119-109 victory over the LeBron-less Los Angeles Lakers, Kerr recognized the underlying challenges. The Warriors faced a harsh reality in last year’s playoffs, where an injury to Curry limited their title aspirations after his intense minutes had taken a toll.

To truly grasp the implications of that playoff run, one must reflect on the exhausting Game 7 against Houston, which followed a missed opportunity to finish the series in Game 6. Curry logged 45 minutes, delivering a standout performance but ultimately this raised concerns about the team’s over-reliance on their older players. Kerr noted how Curry’s extensive playing time likely contributed to his injury.

“We reached the playoffs last year intact,” Kerr shared. “But the workload Curry faced in that final series didn’t help his situation.” With insights from Rick Celebrini, the Warriors’ head of player health, Kerr understands the need to manage player minutes carefully this season to avoid repeating past mistakes.

The recent win against the Lakers served a dual purpose. Aside from besting a formidable Western Conference rival, the game allowed for strategic minutes management with Curry playing 32, Butler nearly 35, and Green just 28, effectively balancing performance and health.

If the Warriors required any reminder of how crucial age management is, it came from watching LeBron James, who sat out for the first time in his long career due to injury. This highlighted the importance of keeping their aging core healthy for the upcoming season and playoffs.

Despite strong competitors in the West, the Warriors showed that they can still compete at a high level, aided by younger players like Jonathan Kuminga, who contributed 17 points in the recent game. As they navigate the season, Kerr recognizes that maintaining this balance between their experienced leaders and emerging young talents will be crucial for their postseason ambitions.