It’s the fourth quarter. Your team is fighting for a spot in the NBA playoffs in a tight game against the best team in the Western Conference.
From the outside, this seems like a situation you would want Stephen Curry on the court if he is healthy. The Golden State Warriors star agrees.
He expressed his surprise in a frustrated interview, lobbing a challenge at Steve Kerr.
“A little,” Curry said when asked if he was surprised by his time on the bench in the fourth quarter.
The enigmatic star rolled his eyes and chose his words very carefully, body language that signaled a need to tip toe around a touchy subject.
He compared his minutes to the Warriors previous game, when he played the entire fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers.
“Played the whole fourth quarter against Indiana. Didn’t work out. This didn’t work out,” he said bluntly, before offering a challenge to Kerr. “So we gotta find somewhere in the middle.”
The 36-year-old did not get that chance against the Minnesota Timberwolves, even though his team needed to hold onto a 3-point lead entering the final frame against the top team in the West. The loss dropped Golden State to 36-34, only one game ahead of the Houston Rockets for the 10th seed and final spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Kerr, 58, downplayed the impact of Steph’s rest at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
“If you want to say (Steph Curry) playing 30 or 32 minutes was the difference in a win or a loss, I totally disagree,” he said to reporters.
However, Warriors fans were quick to defend Curry in this situation, pointing out the pattern of Kerr’s coaching over the years.
“I feel for him… we’ve been witnessing a sabotage for two straight seasons,” a Dubs fan proclaimed on Twitter/X.
The tension between Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr continues to be a hot topic among NBA fans and analysts. As the Golden State Warriors fight for a playoff spot, the debate over Curry’s playing time in crucial moments intensifies. Many believe that Curry, a two-time MVP and one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, should always be on the court when the game is on the line.Curry’s frustration was palpable in his recent interview, where he expressed surprise at being on the bench during a close game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Warriors ended up losing that game, raising even more questions about Kerr’s coaching decisions. Curry’s subtle but pointed challenge to Kerr to find a middle ground in terms of his minutes reflects his desire to be a difference-maker in clutch situations.Despite Kerr’s defense of his coaching strategy, the pressure is mounting for him to trust Curry more in crucial moments. The Warriors’ playoff hopes hang in the balance, and Curry’s impact on the court cannot be understated. Fans are clamoring for Kerr to recognize the importance of having Curry lead the team when it matters most.As the regular season winds down and the playoff race heats up, all eyes will be on how Kerr manages Curry’s playing time. Will he heed the calls to give Curry more opportunities to shine in the fourth quarter, or will he stick to his rotations and risk alienating his superstar player? The answers to these questions could ultimately determine the Warriors’ fate this season.Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and the latest news from the NBA. We will continue to provide insightful analysis and coverage of the league as it heads towards the postseason. Your support and engagement drive us to deliver the most relevant and trustworthy information for basketball fans everywhere. Make sure to follow us for all the latest updates and discussions on the NBA’s biggest headlines.
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