It's been a remarkable season for NBA coaches, and Dub Nation certainly enjoyed its opening night.
After Los Angeles' loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night, Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis grabbed a microphone and took a commanding shot at head coach Darvin Ham.
“There are parts of us that just don't know what we're doing on both ends of the floor,” Davis said, knowing how that comment could be interpreted.
Hamm, who has endured a barrage of criticism multiple times this season, shot back Wednesday, saying, “I agree to disagree on that.”
When uncertainty hits the Lakers, Warriors fans reach for the popcorn and find a comfortable seat. Not only because of the hustle and bustle in the South, but also because the Bay Area is relatively peaceful.
Not once this season, or any season, has one of Golden State's leading veterans hinted at coach Steve Kerr's disapproval. If you look back at NBA history, you'll see that veteran grumbling is the surest sign of dissatisfaction.
Stephen Curry didn't go there because it's not in his nature to tempt controversy, but he also truly believes that Kerr is the right coach. Klay Thompson never left a tip for Kerr, even in his darkest moments, out of respect for all he accomplished under his coach.
What about Draymond Green? After all, he is the Warrior most likely to be headed for friction. He had ample opportunity to lash out at Kerr as the Warriors worked through a season of disappointing wrinkles and as he grappled with a personal crisis.
no. On the contrary, Green remains a staunch supporter of Kerr.
A vocal group of fans lambasted Kerr throughout the season. Outside observers, including the media, questioned some of Carr's decisions. There were times when Warriors CEO Joe Lacob, sitting courtside, couldn't hide his displeasure with the product in front of him.
Still, Lacob listened to veterans and offered Carr a favorable two-year contract extension in February.
“That's a lot of money,” Green said at the time. “I think it's unbelievable. I don't want to end my time here with any other coach. What he means to this franchise, what he does for us as players. The way he brought us here is priceless.
“I'm so happy for Steve and his family. He got what he deserved.”
Golden State reached the NBA Finals in each of Kerr's first five seasons, three of which ended with a championship. Their last successful season was punctuated by a win in the 2022 Finals.
Frankly, the past five seasons have been much more of a journey than an adventure. The Warriors have missed the NBA playoffs three times, two of which were deserved. The third season was in many ways the toughest for both Kerr and the team.
Yes, it was even tougher than the 2018-19 NBA season, when a public spat between Kevin Durant and Green tore a hole in the team's legendary chemistry and faced clear headwinds.
Too many times this season, the Warriors turned wins into losses. They often broke down in the fourth quarter. Draymond's quick-tempered spike derailed any chance for momentum. The worst part was the sudden and tragic death of assistant coach Dejan “Deki” Milojevic.
Kerr has rightly criticized his own work several times this season. It must be worth something. He has two more years not to prove his worth, but to squeeze every drop he can out of the veterans while preparing for the next step.
The closest Kerr came to making his public frustrations known was at the end of the 2018-19 season. After the Warriors were blown out of Oracle Arena by the Boston Celtics, Kerr called for more passion, anger and intensity.
When Durant was told this, he seemed confused.
“I felt like I had moved away from joy,” he said emotionally. “Rage now? I don't agree with that.”
Durant later told me his reaction was not intended as a disrespect to Kerr, adding that everyone needs to improve. Four months later, he left the Warriors not because of a feud with Kerr, but to play with his good friend Kyrie Irving.
Now, Durant's coach in Phoenix, Frank Vogel (who was fired by the Lakers in 2022 after winning a championship in 2020), is once again under fire. It is widely believed that he will be released if the Suns are eliminated in the first round.
There are whispers about Joe Mazzula in Boston, Billy Donovan in Chicago, and Monty Williams in Detroit. Also about Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue.
It is generally believed that Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers will return, but he was hired midseason due to disgruntled veterans, primarily for contractual reasons. Giannis Antetokounmpo quickly became disillusioned with first-year coach Adrian Griffin, who lasted just three months.
The fate of Ham and the Lakers largely depends on the opinions of Davis and, of course, LeBron James. He's the same veteran who won everything under Vogel in LA.
Similarly, Kerr's fate with the Warriors is tied to Curry more than anything else. There's a sense of security in that because Steph isn't the type to make public or implicit accusations. He is too focused on finding solutions behind the scenes.
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