Warriors’ Steve Kerr anticipates, excited for more physical play for NBA in 2024-25
HONOLULU - NBA officials swallowed their whistles in the second half of last season more than the first, a trend that Steve Kerr expects to continue in 2024-25.
Speaking on Saturday at the before the Golden State Warriors' preseason opener against the Los Angeles Clippers at the University of Hawaii's Stan Sheriff Center, Kerr said the NBA's coaches met with league representatives last month in Chicago and that officiating "was a big topic of discussion."
Kerr, clad in a black Golden State Valkyries shirt with a lei around his neck, added, "In general, I think the league is trying to shore up some of the manipulation of the rules and the interpretation of the rules."
He cited drives to the basket during which ball-handlers lurch into defenders and fall backward after contact.
"That was the one to me that was kind of cleaned up a little bit in the second half of last year," Kerr said. "That made a big difference in the defense staying solid without reaching and still getting a call."
Before the All-Star break last season, 19 teams averaged more than 22 free throws per game, but just two did so afterwards. The Warriors dipped from 22.8 free throws per game to 16.8 after the All-Star Break.
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"I just like anything where there's no BS," said Kerr, who coached the American men's national team to an Olympic gold medal this summer in Paris. FIBA, basketball's international governing body, traditionally allows more physical play.
"As long as we're not succumbing to tricks and stuff like that. The game just makes more sense," Kerr said. "FIBA is like that. You can't manipulate yourself to the foul line in FIBA. It feels to me like we're getting back to that with the direction we're taking in the officiating."
First fivesome: Kerr's first starting lineup of the (pre)season includes Stephen Curry and De'Anthony Melton in the backcourt with Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis in the frontcourt, he announced Saturday afternoon before the exhibition opener against the Los Angeles Clippers at the University of Hawaii.
Among Golden State's free-agent acquisitions, Melton is a natural complement to Curry. The rangy 6-foot-3-inch guard effectively defends guards and smaller wings while spacing the floor as a 36.9% career 3-point shooter. Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield and Moses Moody can also play the off-guard position.
With small forward Andrew Wiggins sidelined after not feeling well throughout the week, Kuminga - a low-volume 34.1% career 3-point shooter who focused this summer on developing his jumper - pairs with Green at power forward and Jackson-Davis at center.
Last season, the trio played just 11 minutes together but had a net rating of plus-8.7 (points per 100 possessions).
"We've got to see because last year we didn't feel comfortable going that route," Kerr said of his Saturday's starting frontcourt trio. "If (Kuminga) is ready for (small forward) and it works with those guys, then we'll see. And if not, we'll adapt. But now is the time to try these things and see what combinations work and which ones don't."
Stathead comes home: Warriors statistician Darryl Arata is a native of Honolulu, meaning Golden State's training camp doubled as his homecoming. An alumnus of Hawaii, he has worked for the Warriors since 2016-17 following a 16-year stint with the Sacramento Kings.
"It's special," said Arata, also an intern for the Chicago Bulls during Michael Jordan's heyday. "It's home for me. I'm just grateful."
Reach Sam Gordon:
This story was originally published October 5, 2024, 7:05 PM.
