Justin Kubatko: Erik Spoelstra is the eighth coach in NBA history to make at least five Finals appearances: 13 – Phil Jackson. 11 – Red Auerbach. 9 – Pat Riley. 6 – John Kundla. 6 – Gregg Popovich. 5 – K.C. Jones. 5 – Steve Kerr. 5 – Spoelstra.
Steve Kerr Rumors
Warriors coach Steve Kerr is raising expectations for Eric Paschall. “He had a great rookie season, did a lot of really good things,” Kerr said in a phone interview. “And I think a player’s biggest improvement usually comes between year one and two, because now he has a feel for what he can and cannot do, and what needs to happen to take the next step.”
“Eric showed us a lot of his offensive skill work,” Kerr added. “But what we need now is for him to become a defensive force. It’s a physical league. You’ve got to be able to guard multiple guys, and he’s got the ability to do that. There’s no reason why he can’t become P.J. Tucker defensively. He’s got a similar body, got the strength to fend off bigger guys and he’s got speed to stay in front of guards. But it takes a commitment to become that.”
Paschall is ahead of Tucker in at least one other measurable asset: Athleticism. Tucker can run into a dunk, but Paschall can rise flat-footed into a double-pump jam. “Oh, he’s explosive, more explosive than P.J.,” Kerr said. “But P.J. has all the tricks. He knows every trick in the book, and that’s what Eric needs to learn. He needs to learn NBA defense, learn the tricks and then become a better shooter, like PJ has.”
Golden State Warriors swingman Klay Thompson participated Friday in his first full practice since tearing his left ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. It had been 470 days since Thompson’s injury and his return was a welcome sight for coaches and teammates who missed having him around. “It was great to have him out on the floor, in the locker room,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said during a video call with reporters. “Just his presence alone gave us a jolt of energy and excitement. Practice went well. This is the first practice coming off an ACL injury and a year and a half absence so I didn’t expect him to be in top shape, in top form, and he was not, but he moved well and it’s a good first step.”
Connor Letourneau: Steve Kerr on Andrew Wiggins: “Andrew’s been great, he’s in fantastic shape.” Added that he went and saw him in LA a couple month ago.
Anthony Slater: Steve Kerr on Klay Thompson: “This was his first practice coming off an ACL injury. I didn’t expect him to be in top form and he was not. But he moved well and it was a great first step. Klay got a lot of good work in and was able to gauge where he is right now.”
Anthony Slater: Warriors didn’t scrimmage today. They haven’t gone 5-on-5 yet. Will soon. Steve Kerr said it hasn’t yet been decided if Klay Thompson will take full part in it: “Kind of depends on how he reacts to today.”
