“A kind of hangover”

First of the regular season for most of the first half of the season, the NBA –Number Web”>Warriors have been on the hook since Christmas with just 3 wins in their last 7 games. There is in particular a big drop in attack since during their first 20 games they posted an offensive rating of 113, second in the league over the period, but which fell to 108 over the last 20 games, 26th over the period. . For Steve Kerr there is a simple explanation.

“We all talk about preferring a great shot to a good shot,” says Steve Kerr. “When you look at our possessions, we take a lot of tough shots. Most of the season, and I still think now, we are number 1 in the league by percentage expected (depending on the quality of the shots). Whether or not you validate this stat is your choice. But I think it has merit, because it generally measures open shots. But over the last 10 games, that number has dropped. As a result, our shooting percentage dropped. If you look at our possessions, we took some really tough shots. Against the Grizzlies we took 5 or 6 shots near the circle that would have made Dr. J (Julius Erving) blush. Up-and-unders (going under the circle) where we try to put some spin on the board so that the ball goes in. These kinds of shoots are basically lost balls. “

Now the Warriors have 5th best skill in the league at 46.5%, and if they are the team with the most 3-point shots, they have 8th skill at 35.9%. A percentage drop in which Stephen Curry plays a big role, on the worst series of his career. Since November 30, he has been shooting at 37.4%, including 34.3% from a distance, while he has taken no less than 13.1 shots from behind the arc. For Kerr Curry’s problems are the same as the rest of the team.

“It comes back to exactly what I just mentioned,” Kerr explains. “We have to simplify things, find open players, create shots for others. Most mortals, when they’re having a hard time, have to simplify things and maybe go to the throwing line, trying to look for easy shots early in the game. Steph has never had to do that because he is so good, that even in a bad pass he can plant a 10m step-back and immediately regain his rhythm. Collectively, if we simplify our shots, trying to get the ball around, get a really good shot, that will help the whole team and Steph. “

Kerr also believes that Stephen Curry’s pursuit of the 3-point shootout record has worn the team down.

“Then for us, I also think it comes right after Steph’s record, which was very emotional,” Kerr added. “There was kind of a hangover. You add it all up, plus a tough schedule and a few injuries. We just have to overcome this very difficult road trip in Milwaukee, Chicago and then Minnesota. We have to keep working hard and understand that this is 82 games and there will be ups and downs […] Between Christmas and the All-Star break it is traditionally the most difficult period in the NBA where the novelty of the season is over, you are a little messed up and you are a few weeks away from having that break that everyone is waiting for. “

Via NBC