Stephen Curry update, scrimmage Thursday, “a lot to unpack” vs Jokic

[+Iguodala & young guys locking in, notes/quotes/video from Kerr presser]

The Golden State Warriors did not practice today after having a team dinner after Sunday night’s win and flying back from New Orleans yesterday. Steve Kerr, however, did a media session and spoke on Stephen Curry’s rehab, how that affects Jordan Poole (hint: it really doesn’t, Poole is gonna play a lot!), game planning versus Nikola Jokic, Andre Iguodala’s role in the playoffs, and how to get the young guys to lock in. The video snippet above is clickable, there are two more below and the transcript is at the bottom.

DubNation, consider joining us on the YouTube live chat tonight as our old buddies Kevin Durant and Seth Curry in the form of the Brooklyn Nets take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 7th vs 8th play-in game. We have a whole host of regular chatters from all over the globe and tonight should be no different! Spreading positivity and love for the game, and respect for the players and coaches along the way.

STEVE

• What has Steph been able to do? “…He's doing individual stuff right now as we speak…he continues to get his work in. There’s not really an update beyond (GSW PR’s statement).”

• How does the rest of the week look? “It’s literally day to day. Tomorrow we’ll meet with the team and go through our strategy, our game plan, practice in the afternoon and then each day we’ll determine where Steph is…”

• Thursday probably the day to scrimmage? “…Yeah”

• Certain time Thursday or Friday where you’d know if Steph is playing? “…fair questions…not an easy answer. Each day will determine where he is and what he cans do the following day and at the end the week we’ll determine whether he’s ready or not…hard to predict much.”

• How essential is it for Steph to get in a scrimmage before his return? “Oh, it’s essential. We’re not gonna play him without getting a scrimmage. The whole team will need a scrimmage given that we generally play every other day and all of a sudden we have six days between games. Everybody will need a scrimmage but it would be irresponsible to put Steph out there in a playoff game without scrimmage time before.”

• What about the uncertainty with Poole based on Steph? “There’s no uncertainty. Jordan’s gonna play. He’s been one of our best players. He can play with Steph, he can play when Steph is on the bench…”

• How much is Steph participating in the mental preparation, helping the young players? “Yeah that’s a big part of his role…one of the captains…a big part of game planning is messaging what the playoffs are about and how you have to approach things…”

•Scouting Denver: “Incredible year…Mike’s dove a good job…Jokic is reigning MVP…everything they do revolves around him…each game was so different (vs GSW)…Draymond didn’t play in any of the four…makeup game…last game, they were exhausted…the ran out of gas in the fourth quarter…with all the absences and irregularities…hard to get a great read on matchups…but there’sa lot to learn from those games…even go back to s couple of last year’s games…”

• Double-teaming Jokic: “…it’s pick your poison…we can’t give up the easy stuff…plenty of back cuts for layups…Jokic grabs the ball and throws a full court pass…we’re gonna have to be really really sharp…he’s one of the smartest. He’ll pick you apart if you’re not aware and on guard.” 🚨

• Jokic more dangerous as a passer or scorer: “Yes…no matter how you play him he’s got an answer for you…the key really becomes taking away the easy stuff…when you watch our regular season games we gave up easy stuff. Part of it is when you’re not used to playing against Jokic. You think you’re in position defensively but you’re not. You’re even with your guy off the ball. He’s whizzing that thing right by your ear for a layup. 🚨 Any other center in the league is probably not even making that pass…understanding where those easy buckets are coming…taking care of the ball, not giving them transition threes, the back cuts, too much fouling. We’re gave them 41 free throws (in the third game). There’s a lot to unpack but that’s what makes the playoffs fun…fun times of year for the coaches…time to really get locked in.”

• Acquired Andre for the playoffs: “It was great having him the last couple weeks…our backup point role…protects defensive possessions by covering up mistakes 🚨 and keeps the possession going…finds a way to blow it up…brilliant…hoping he can stay healthy…a couple of good runs each half…”

• How important is pace in this series? “Denver likes to get out and run too…it’s the context within that term that’s important…as long as you’re getting back in transition and not giving up easy ones…the playoffs are all about negating easy baskets 🚨 …gotta have your head on straight…can’t just become a pickup game…”

• How excited are you to get Steph Klay Dray Andre together again in the playoffs? “It’s been a long time (since Toronto)…first playoff game at Chase which is exciting. Potentially getting everybody healthy is really tantalizing 🚨 …persevered…Our ceiling is higher than what we've shown so far.”

• What do you tell your young guys? “Turn off your phones. Don't listen to the media. Get your ticket requests in now. Have somebody handle that…lock in on your job and keep things as simple as possible…easier said and done…all the hype…can’t get wrapped up in the judgment and the criticism that’s coming because we’re all under the spotlight…it’s just us…how to win a series and keep moving forward. Keep the focus on us.”

👍👍💛💙