SAN FRANCISCO — Steve Kerr isn’t worried about Draymond Green giving the rest of the league even more bulletin-board material on the Warriors than they already have.
Green, the bombastic Warriors star, made headlines over the All-Star break by declaring that the Warriors are going to win the championship.
Nevermind that they’re 28-27 and in 10th place in the Western Conference, his head coach is all for the confidence.
“I learned a long time ago with Draymond is he’s at his best when he’s motivated, and when he’s in the fight,” Kerr said after the Warriors’ optional practice on Wednesday night. “He thrives on competition and on having a shot, having a chance. Then laying it all out there on the line. So I love that he said that. That’s the goal.”
Although the Jimmy Butler trade has certainly invigorated the Warriors, a championship run would be shocking. Basketball Reference’s model gives the Warriors a 6.2% chance at avoiding the play-in round. Even if they reach their stated goal of the sixth seed, history would be against them; of the 47 title teams since the merger, there has been just one team (the sixth-seeded 1995 Rockets) to enter the playoffs below third place.
Still, Kerr doesn’t mind the bold prediction.
“I believe that we can win the championship,” Kerr said. “I just feel like Draymond putting it out there sets a good tone for our guys. I can also hold him accountable to that. If we’re going to do that, we’ve got to be locked in. We’ve got to be together. We’ve got to be able to play through every bit of adversity. So I love that he laid it out there, and now it’s my job to help him go do that.”
A shocking Warriors run would likely have to include huge contributions from Jonathan Kuminga, who has been sidelined with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain since Jan. 4. Kuminga practiced with the team for the first time since the injury on Wednesday night, marking a major step in his recovery. He’s still not cleared for live contact, so won’t be available when the Warriors come out of the All-Star break on Friday night in Sacramento.
Even though his return won’t be immediate, Kuminga’s on the verge of a return. He’ll be evaluated on a day-to-day basis. His ability to play alongside Butler projects to be among the most crucial storylines of the last two months of the season.
“The obvious question is the spacing,” Kerr said. “We’re really looking at them as a three and four. So, can we space the floor well enough with the two of them on the court together? We should be able to defend at a high level, it’ll be great to have that kind of size and athleticism on the wings. There’s a lot to like. We just have to sort through the offensive execution. Can we put a group around them that makes sense, that we can kind of rely on a two-way, offense and defense dynamic?”
Knox, Collins have something to prove on 10-days
Both Kevin Knox II and Yuri Collins inked 10-day contracts on Wednesday, bringing the Warriors roster to 14.
Knox, the ninth overall pick in 2018, averaged 25.3 points per game, said he’s been waiting all year to join Golden State.
“For myself, in order to get to that next level, I had to put my ego aside,” Knox said. “Do Summer League, to training camp, go down to the G League and just dominate. Play my game and show people that I belong up top. That was kind of my mindset going into the G League, just go down there and dominate, be a leader.”
Pat Spencer, Gui Santos, Quinten Post and even Kevon Looney are some players who have played for the Santa Cruz Warriors and contributed at the NBA level in recent years. That track record is one of the reasons that attracted Knox to the Warriors’ affiliate.
Collins, meanwhile, is an undrafted, pass-first point guard. He’s spent the past two seasons with the Sea Dubs, learning the system, adjusting to the speed of the game and grinding from there.
“He’s an excellent player, incredible young guy,” Kerr said of Collins. “Any time you get to see a player like him work his way through the ranks and get to the NBA, it’s an incredible feeling. So I’m thrilled for Yuri.”