Mavericks notes: Should absent Steve Kerr get credit for Warriors’ victories?
There’s been some controversy brewing lately on which coach should get credit in the record books for the gaudy 29-1 record the Golden State Warriors carried into Wednesday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks.
Should it be Steve Kerr, who has missed the entire season while recovering from two back surgeries dealing with a ruptured disk and a spinal fluid leak? Or should it be interim coach Luke Walton?
The hard-and-fast NBA rule credits all the wins and losses to Kerr, who is on his first road trip with his team outside of California this season and could return as coach this weekend according to reports.
“It’s been in place for a long time and they kind of took another look at it recently because of this situation, and I agree with it,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “This is Steve’s team.
“This is a team that he established last year. It’s a set of circumstances that’s well defined, and these are the rules.”
Carlisle believes the defending champion Warriors have been spurred on this season by Kerr’s medical situation.
It’s been in place for a long time and they kind of took another look at it recently because of this situation, and I agree with it. This is Steve’s team.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle on the NBA rule crediting Steve Kerr with the Warriors’ victories
“Most teams have a letdown after winning a championship,” Carlisle said. “These guys haven’t been.
“It appears that they have been energized even more. I think one thing that has been a strong motivation for them is playing for their coach, who has not been well.”
The president of the NBA Coaches Association, Carlisle has been in communication with Kerr.
“It’s a very unusual set of circumstances, and it’s good to see that he is out here,” Carlisle said. “I just spoke to him for a few minutes, and to see him back on the road spending time with the team, and feeling better, too.
“But he’s not totally there yet, but he will get there. He’s going through a very unusual situation, but he’ll outlast it and I think their guys are playing for him in a very big way.”
It appears that they have been energized even more. I think one thing that has been a strong motivation for them is playing for their coach, who has not been well.
Carlisle on the Warriors’ hot start
For his part, Walton is enjoying the ride after guiding the Warriors to the best 30-game start in NBA history.
“Obviously it’s been a lot more stressful, but it’s been a joy working with these guys and gaining experience from a head coach’s seat,” Walton said. “When you’re in the heat of it all like we are right now, you don’t have a ton of time to sit and think about it, because there are more important things to think about.
“But I’m sure when Steve’s back and when it’s all over, I can have a better answer for you.”
Williams out again
Point guard Deron Williams missed his fourth straight game Wednesday with a strained left hamstring and is listed as day-to-day.
Williams went through the team’s shoot-around Wednesday morning.
“He’s doing well,” Carlisle said. “He’s doing more and more each day.”
Dwain Price: 817-390-7760, @dwainprice
This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 10:04 PM with the headline "Mavericks notes: Should absent Steve Kerr get credit for Warriors’ victories?."