Steve Kerr’s Press Conference Offers a Glimpse into the 2026-27 Warriors
Steve Kerr’s press conference ahead of the Warriors’ preseason opener offered a glimpse into the team’s identity for the upcoming season. Kerr answered numerous questions about what the squad needs to improve on and where it has fallen short in recent years. His answers ranged in level, from player-specific responses to bigger-picture ideas. Some included unfamiliar concepts; others referred to older habits. Let’s dive into some takeaways that will translate to fan expectations for 2026-2027.
The first concerns Draymond Green, Golden State’s defensive catalyst, as well as a leader and tone-setter. In former seasons, Green facilitated the Dubs’ transition game, even when the 2022 NBA Champions ran set plays. However, in this upcoming campaign, the four-time NBA championship-winning head coach mentioned that he wants Green to push the pace as a lead runner in transition. He previously brought the ball up the court and used his vision to facilitate breakaways, but he will now revert to a more passive role. This secondary role still matters, since it opens up more options when Golden State moves into the secondary phase of their attack. It may look weird, but watching the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year sprint without the ball will force defenses to game plan very differently.
Looking through a more zoomed-out lens, Kerr acknowledged that this squad needed some serious revising. He didn’t necessarily discuss the roster, but Golden State’s head coach has recognized that his old formula of success has become outdated. In fact, following the Warriors champion guard’s massive extension, both Green and newly extended Stephen Curry asked their coach to “make them uncomfortable” during the offseason and introduce them to schemes they weren’t confident in. With help from new assistant coach Frank Vogel, inspiration seems to have arrived. A report from training camp even said players have looked lost at times, suggesting a level of complexity that hasn’t existed in the Warriors' playbook for some time. Kerr also mentioned that this team will both space out and cut differently than before, which may take time to perfect but should keep defenses on their heels more often.
Overall, the way that Golden State came to glory simply no longer works. Since their most recent championship run, the Warriors have struggled to recreate that postseason magic, failing to advance beyond the first round of the NBA playoffs. They hope a revamped coaching staff will bring a fresh perspective. It’s a shame to waste Curry's final years on a non-competitive team, and Golden State’s veteran head coach hinted at the kind of energy that could change those results this time around.
