Last year, Steve Kerr and the Warriors coaching staff were the worst in the league at challenging calls.
Golden State was successful on just 31.8% of coach’s challenges, well below the 59.2% league average. The Warriors were one of just three teams that got less than half of their challenges correct.
Their decision-making, apparently, showed faults. So the Warriors added overhauling their strategy to their long list of offseason to-dos.
To streamline their challenge process, the Warriors want their players to be more discerning on whether to signal to the bench — by circling their index finger — for a review after a whistle. In the NBA, it might seem like players make the challenge motion any time they’re called for a foul.
But Kerr can’t trust his boys if they’re always crying wolf.
Beyond the triggering action of players being more selective when motioning to the bench for a review, the Warriors’ revamped strategy centers primarily on one player: Draymond Green.
Kerr and the Warriors started 4-for-4 on challenges this season, and all four of their successful reviews overturned fouls called on Green. Most challenges league-wide come in the fourth quarter, but Green is such a valuable — and physical — player, the Warriors are comfortable hitting the horn for a borderline call any time in the game, especially if it would be his fourth or fifth personal foul.
The early results are promising. Kerr is 4-for-5 to start the season — an 80% success rate that would’ve led the league last year — and the Warriors have kept Green on the floor, where he has been a dominant defensive presence.
“Our process is better,” Green said after the Warriors’ 104-89 win over New Orleans. “I saw that graphic this summer and it had like the head coaches…like, ‘Man, we were awful.’ But our process wasn’t great. You’ve got me out there crying. You’ve got BP out there crying. Everybody’s just running around like, ‘Challenge it! Challenge!’ And we weren’t able to create a good process.”
Last year’s struggles with the replay review system weren’t because of a lack of effort. For years, Kerr has cooperated with his assistant coaches and video coordinators on parameters for when and when not to light the horn. Kerr has wanted his staff to be decisive, with a quick thumbs up or thumbs down after a borderline call to signal whether he should call for a review or not.
This season’s success is emblematic of a more level-headed team — at least through a week. Green has caught himself multiple times, cautioning Kerr not to challenge a call on him because he knew the official was right. He said he’s noticed Brandin Podziemski doing the same.
Related Articles
Golden State Warriors |
Kurtenbach: Forgot about Draymond? Green’s impossible-to-ignore start has Golden State humming
Golden State Warriors |
Warriors sweep Pelicans in rare back-to-back before leaving …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
