The Golden State Warriors are 41-11 and have the best record in the NBA once again this season. But ask their coach how the team is doing and he’ll say they’re ready for a break.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr spoke to reporters on Friday night after a win over the Sacramento Kings and said he’s noticed his team, though still dominant, is starting to get worn down by the grind of the season’s middle parts.
Golden State needed a 35-point fourth quarter to overcome what was a bit of a sloppy performance against the Kings, and Kerr said Golden State is “mentally fried” and needs a break.
Though still a fortnight away from the All-Star Game in Los Angeles, Kerr admitted to ESPN’s Chris Haynes on Friday that his team is eager to take a break, even if four Warriors will be playing in LA during All-Star weekend.
“Hell yeah,” Kerr said. “Guys are dying to get to the All-Star break. We’re limping to the finish line of the All-Star break. But we’ve got to fight through it to the break and then we need to get the hell away from each other and go sit on a beach and relax and then we’ll be in great shape.”
It’s interesting to hear Kerr be honest about the state of his team, especially when the NBA is more inclined to punish teams for resting players when they’re healthy. The Warriors have been careful not to get in trouble for that, but this public plea for a break certainly indicates that Kerr thinks his team could use a break.
“It’s painful obviously that our guys are mentally fried right now,” Kerr told ESPN. “So it’s a good job to just get a win. … Our guys are tired mentally, emotionally. So we just got to fight through, get to the break and rejuvenate.”
Lucky for them, it’s coming. But maybe not soon enough for some.
