Steve Kerr claims: Draymond Green's punch disrupted our season, but I wish he stayed - voila! sport

LeBron James arrives at the game against Golden State 5 hours before kick-off (from the NBA's official website)

What led to Golden State's painful defeat this season? According to outgoing champion coach Steve Kerr, there are several reasons for failure. Among other things, the weak away record (30:11), inefficiency in transition attacks (one penultimate place in the league), and especially the inability to do defense without fouls, which did significant damage against the Lakers in the regional semifinals.

For Kerr, however, the biggest reason of all was a lack of group trust. "Every time you lose trust, it makes the process a lot harder, and there was a little bit of trust that was lost," Kerr said. We need to get back to what made us really successful: a truly trusting, trusting environment, and a group that trusts each other and makes each other better."

The moment the Warriors lost faith in each other was in training camp, when Draymond Green hit Jordan Poole. Green was suspended for a week as part of a "mutual decision between Green and the club", but he returned on the opening night of the season. The Warriors insisted the incident was behind them, but it was clear they weren't. The culture, joy and chemistry that were the symbol of the dynasty were no longer there.

"You can't hide it — the incident with Draymond and Jordan earlier this year played a role," Kerr said. "It's hard that it won't affect a team."

There were professional problems, but not only. Kerr (Photo: Reuters)

More on the subject

"Draymond Green is expected to stay in Golden State, Bob Myers will leave"
It's not over, it's just the end: Golden State's last dance will be postponed a bit

Good to know (promoted)

The secret to improving your sex life – now on special offer

Contributed by "Gavra"

The Wiener, the heart, the problematic. Green (Photo: Reuters)

Kerr said he didn't believe all the trust and chemistry was gone, and said the team trusted both of them a lot when they advanced to the second round of the playoffs. But when the Lakers were safely ahead of the Warriors, it was clear they didn't have the ability or the strength to come back.

Kerr said rebuilding that culture is one of the Warriors' top priorities this summer, but he's not exactly sure how they'll do it. And it's not just about Green's relationship with Paul.

The Warriors are trying to navigate between "young and old" and continue to rely on a foundation that includes Green, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, while also relying on a new era that includes Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.

"I think you have to make connections within the organization, and it doesn't happen overnight," Kerr said. "It's like any other human relationship; It just takes time. We need to continue to allow those relationships to grow, but we need to create them too, not just through the experience of what we're going through but through communicating what everyone is feeling."

But it starts with Green. Green has a $27.6 million contract option for the 2023-24 season. After the impeachment, he made it clear that he had not made a decision on whether to continue and was going to take his time after deliberating with agent Rich Paul. If he refuses, he will become a free agent without restrictions.

"Look, if Draymond doesn't come back, we're not championship contenders," Kerr said. "We know that. It's so important to wins and who we are. I definitely want him back."

But Kerr clarified: "He knows he also compromised on things because of what happened in October. So part of the return next year has to be rebuilding some of the trust and respect he's earned here over a long period of time."

Green and Kerr haven't spoken since Golden State's season ended, but Kerr said he expects them to talk soon. He said he was sure Green wanted to come back.

As long as he's on the team, she'll run hard. Kerry (Photo by Getty Images, Ezra Shaw)

What Green decides to do with his contract is one of the biggest questions the Warriors face in the offseason. But according to Kerr, the even bigger issue is the future of general manager Bob Myers, whose contract expires at the end of June. "Bob is such an important part of our organization," Kerr said. "I certainly hope he comes back, but it's also a case where I want the best for Bob, and if he decides he's going to leave, of course, I'll support him 100 percent... I will miss him, but I support him regardless of what he does."

Draymond Green is also "very worried" about Myers' future and said it could play a role in his decision about his player option. "Our organization has a lot to do this summer," Kerr said. "I expect them to come back, but who the hell knows?"

• sport
• NBA

Tags

• Golden State Warriors
• Draymond Green
• Steve Kerr