"Excuse to start that bum Podz" - Warriors fans irate at Steve Kerr planning bench role for Draymond Green
Steve Kerr is regarded as one of the NBA's greatest coaches of all time, but the 59-year-old's lineup decisions and tinkering have left some Golden State Warriors fans frustrated. After a strong start to the 2024-25 season, where they won 12 of their first 15 games, the Warriors have stumbled of late, losing six of their last seven outings.
The mini-slump has seen the Bay Area team drop to fifth in the Western Conference standings. Kerr has continued to adjust the lineup to find a winning formula and is now reportedly planning on dropping veteran forward Draymond Green to the bench.
Green is a four-time NBA champion and is still regarded as one of the league's elite defenders. He is a four-time All-Star and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2017. Green has been a staple in Kerr's starting lineup since 2014.
The decision to remove him from the starting five is perplexing, and many Warriors fans were irate when they heard the news. Fans on social media have been venting their frustrations toward the experienced coach, with many unhappy with the decision.
"This is literally an excuse to start that bum Podz," said a fan on X.
"Well, looks like Steve Kerr is trying to maximize losses and wear down our patience," wrote another.
"Arrest Steve Kerr ASAP," commented one fan.
"Our season is cooked," said a fan.
"Kerr still not done experimenting after 3 years," said one fan.
"Can we please fire Kerr," commented another fan.
According to an X post on Friday from NBA reporter Anthony Slater, Kerr said the goal is to "maximize" Jonathan Kuminga's production this year. Kuminga, who was the seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft, is considered one of the organization's rising stars, and the Warriors have high hopes for the Congolese forward.
Kerr started Kuminga over Green in Friday's matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, the move did not work out as he may have hoped, with the Warriors losing their ninth game of the season.
Draymond Green, 34, is in his 13th year with the Warriors. He has started 679 of the 833 regular-season games he has featured in for the team.
Steve Kerr under pressure after Warriors lose six of last seven games
Steve Kerr's Warriors began the season as one of the hottest teams in the league. Strong shooting performances from Steph Curry and Buddy Hield saw them pull off seven wins in their first eight games and lead the conference midway through November. However, since Nov. 23, Golden State has been one of the worst teams in the Western Conference, winning just one of its last seven games.
Friday's lopsided 107-90 defeat to the Timberwolves will only add to the pressure on Kerr. The veteran coach has struggled to find a solution to the team's decline, and despite possessing one of the league's elite scorers in Curry, the Warriors seem to be spiraling.
The Warriors were linked to several high-profile players during the offseason but failed to secure a blockbuster trade or a big-name free agent prior to the season opener. The front office may be considering going back into the market to add some pieces after a disappointing run of games.