Western Notes: Kerr, Braun, Barnes, Hinson
Warriors coach Steve Kerr admits that tanking is a significant concern for the league however he doesn’t have any straightforward solutions, Nick Friedell of The Athletic writes.
“Satirically, the previous few years, it looks as if it has not been on the forefront like it’s this yr due to the Play-In,” Kerr stated. “Extra groups felt like they had been in it. This yr, it’s pronounced simply due to the circumstances and the place numerous groups are — accidents, beginning rebuilds, that type of factor. I do know the league is basically involved about it, as they need to be. It’s not good for the followers, for the league itself. They’re contemplating the whole lot. It’s a extremely powerful challenge.”
Kerr additionally sees the problem from the attitude of groups jockeying for lottery positions, understanding that one of many prime picks within the 2026 draft may very well be a franchise-altering participant.
“The underside line is you kinda need to get fortunate within the lottery,” Kerr stated. “It’s what makes this challenge so tough, is that nice gamers — Steph (Curry) and Tim Duncan, Wemby (Victor Wembanyama) — they’re not solely team-changing, however they’re franchise-changing, for even past the scope of these guys’ careers. And so there’s solely a handful of gamers that may try this, which can be that worthwhile. And so groups are all clamoring for them. Generally, you don’t know who they’re. Steph was the seventh decide. Giannis (Antetokounmpo) was the (fifteenth) decide. So it’s not at all times the primary couple guys, however most of the time, the primary decide has a possibility to be that man, and that’s what creates this challenge.”
Right here’s extra from the Western Convention:
- Nuggets guard Christian Braun has appeared in 4 video games since coming back from a left ankle sprain. Braun missed almost two months of motion beforehand earlier than an aborted try to come back again final month from the identical ailment. He performed in solely three January video games earlier than the ankle challenge grounded him once more. Braun realizes now he wasn’t at full power final month. “I believe the most important (issue) was, ‘Can I soar within the air?’” he instructed Bennett Durando of the Denver Put up. “Clearly, they do all their assessments (on an damage) and so they do a extremely good job, however honestly, I couldn’t soar. And if all people has seen me play, I soar off my left leg a ton. So I’m simply navigating, like, ‘Earlier than I come again this subsequent time, I want to ensure I can soar. I can run full velocity and I can soar.’ It sounds actually elementary and actually fundamental, however that’s the reality. The explosion simply wasn’t there.”
- Commissioner Adam Silver chosen Brandon Ingram to switch Stephen Curry within the All-Star Sport. Spurs ahead Harrison Barnes felt teammates Stephon Citadel and De’Aaron Fox had been extra worthy candidates. “We’re No. 2 within the West,” Barnes instructed Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Specific Information. “Groups beneath us have two All-Stars. I don’t know a case the place when you’re speaking about having an affect on successful, both of them shouldn’t be chosen and/or a minimum of into consideration.”
- Blake Hinson‘s two-way contract with the Jazz is a two-year deal, Spotrac contributor Keith Smith experiences (Twitter hyperlink). The 26-year-old small ahead is within the midst of a standout yr within the G League, the place he’s averaging 21.8 factors and 5.8 rebounds with Portland’s affiliate, the Rip Metropolis Remix. Hinson signed his new contract on Monday.
