Amidst a tumultuous offseason, and leading U.S. Men's Basketball ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Steve Kerr joined Willard and Dibs to discuss the Warriors changes and much more.
On Klay's departure
Kerr, despite saying that he had not had much time for introspection, and would leave most of that for after the Olympics, offered some insightful thoughts on Thompson's departure.
He said the move to the Mavericks was something that Thompson needed. Kerr laid it out here:
"I've been with Klay for 10 years and these last few years have not been easy. Coming off those two major injuries, trying to battle back to become the player that he was. He's his own worst critic, Klay is. And he's had a tough time. I think everybody has seen that from afar and he and I have shared so many conversations over the last couple of years just trying to help him through it.
"And I just think he's at a place now where he needed to change. Just like people all over the world sometimes need a career change, change of scenery, and it's as simple as that. So as sad as it is to see Klay go, I completely understand where he's coming from and of course wish him nothing but the best. I mean, what he did for me personally, but of course for the team, the organization, the Bay Area. That'll never, ever be forgotten."
He went on and discussed just how difficult it was for both the Warriors and Thompson after his injuries. Thompson went from a no-frills star to someone who doubted himself and struggled immensely with the absence of his former self. The full quote:
"I think the difference for me as Klay's coach is from 2014 to 2019, pre-injury, Klay was unflappable. He just rarely required much maintenance from me as a coach. He was just so happy playing and playing at a high level and I would check in with him and he was always fine and loving life and and that changed after the two injuries.
"He's just struggled to try to get himself back to that level. And even though I think he played really well at times for us over the last few years and obviously helped us win a championship in '22. You look at the numbers, even though he this wasn't his best year, he still averaged 18 points and shot I think 39 percent from three, something like that. So he's still a really high level player.
"It's just in his own mind, and I think in the minds of everyone watching, he wasn't the same guy as he was prior to the injuries and Klay really struggled with that. And I think the stuff that that went on organizationally, honestly that I think that stuff it's all sort of just a byproduct of, of the frustration with the injuries and we were always in great stead with with Klay in terms of our relationship and communicating how we felt about him, but, he, in the end really needed this career change and I think it's going to be good for him."
On offseason acquisitions
Here's what Kerr said on the Warriors' three offseason acquisitions in De'Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson and Buddy Hield, and how open the competition for playing time will be:
"I just think Mike and his staff did a great job of picking up three very good players. All three guys we've played against quite a bit, you know, over the past few years.
"De'Anthony Melton is an excellent combo guard, two-way player, really good defensively, shoots it, can play on or off the ball. So a very solid player.
"And then Kyle Anderson has always been one of my favorite players to watch just because of how crafty and smart he is. He has a different style than Draymond, but I think his brain is at a similar level, just hugely high-IQ player who is an excellent defensive player, guarding multiple positions, plenty of versatility at that end. And then on offense, you know he's not really a shooter, buy he's really clever. Excellent passer just has a knack for making the right play at the right time.
"And Buddy, we need more shooting. We needed more shooting whether we got Klay back or not. So Buddy's been one of the best shooters in the league over the last five, six years and we're lucky to get him, so we're excited to have him as well.
"As far as expectations, I don't have any. The way I'm looking at things, we got starting jobs available. There's openings and it's going to be a free for all. So whoever plays best gets to play and I'm excited about being able to to generate that kind of competition in training camp."
Listen to Kerr's full interview above.