- 2 days ago
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00Out to the River Island's guest line, because on the line is Odyssey Sports NBA insider Nick Friedle.
00:05Insider calls are brought to you by Hyundai and the all-new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid.
00:10Now, Nick Friedle comes on this station twice a week.
00:14Usually it is on this show on Tuesdays.
00:17Usually it is on the morning show on Thursdays.
00:19So all of a sudden he's looking at his week and he's thinking,
00:24which day should I drop the Steve Kerr future story?
00:27Ah. Now, you can wait till Thursday.
00:30You could. It still plays. The season might be over.
00:33It still is a subject matter at that time.
00:37However, there would have to be new quotes and things that come after the game.
00:40You also could be preparing for a very dramatic second play-in scenario on Friday night.
00:46But it all still plays. But no, he chose today.
00:51And for that, Nick Friedle, we thank you. Hi.
00:56Hello, my friends. How are we doing?
00:59Jim Nance, huh? I like that.
01:01Yeah, we're doing...
01:01Hello, friends.
01:02I'm in the mood.
01:03Yeah.
01:04Nice.
01:05You're writing about Steve Kerr. We're about to talk to Steve Kerr.
01:08It's kind of... There's a little synchronicity going on here.
01:13I like it and it all makes sense because we don't know if the season's going to extend past tomorrow
01:20night, guys.
01:21And I talked to Steve a couple different times throughout the year.
01:26And the center point of what we talked about was the culture and how you build a culture and why
01:32it's so important to him and what it took to build that through the last 12 years.
01:36And I appreciated Steve not only in his time but in his candidness because he said, this is what you
01:43need.
01:43And he made no bones about it.
01:45And we've joked about it for years.
01:47But it started with Steph.
01:49He said all along he was watching him from a distance.
01:53He was like, man, this guy, whoever gets to coach this team, they're lucky.
01:56Then he gets there and he told me right away, he was like, this is my guy.
02:00He knew.
02:01So, it starts with Steph, then you add Drayvon and Clay and culture gets built in time.
02:09But that's what this started on, Mark.
02:12And that's why I thought it was a good turning point into looking ahead to whatever happens in the future.
02:18Because I've told you guys for months, my opinion is that Steve will be back at least for next year.
02:25He doesn't want to leave Steph.
02:27He wants to see this through a little while longer.
02:30And he still loves it.
02:31I thought it was so interesting.
02:32And for those that haven't gotten a chance to read it yet, I went to this optional kind of workout.
02:39This is about a month ago in Detroit.
02:42And we go into these.
02:44And usually it's a bunch of the G League guys and guys at the end of the bench.
02:49And Steve's not always at these things because he doesn't have to be.
02:53And here it is.
02:54They're in the middle of this trip.
02:55They've lost a bunch in a row.
02:57They took a late flight out of Boston to get to Detroit.
03:00And we walk into this gym in downtown where the Pistons practice.
03:05And there's Steve Kerr.
03:07And immediately I thought to myself, this does not look like a guy who wants to exit stage right.
03:14Now, he knows full well, as we all do, that you don't know what happens at the end of a
03:19season.
03:19And he'll sit down and talk to Joe Lacob and Dunleavy and they'll figure it out, whatever direction they go.
03:26But I mention that anecdote because my first thought when we walked in and we saw him there was the
03:34fire is still burning to be part of this and to coach.
03:37And he still wants to do it.
03:39And I think that is hugely important as we look ahead into whatever may happen tomorrow and beyond.
03:47And do you get the sense that the feelings are mutual?
03:51Like his feelings of wanting to still do it and the organization, do they share that same passion for him
03:56coming back?
03:57I think they do, at least for one more year.
04:00I think this has been a tumultuous season.
04:03Steve said this is as unique of a season as he's been a part of all the injuries and the
04:11emotions and everything poured into a year that nobody really expected.
04:18But I do think that at least for one more year, they can find a way to come back to
04:26when Steve's going to get paid a ton of money,
04:29which, you know, at this point he's made a ton to his credit, but it doesn't hurt when you're getting
04:34that much more on top of it.
04:37But guys, again, it goes back to one person in the organization.
04:41It always does.
04:42Steph.
04:43Steph wants Steve Kerr.
04:45Steve Kerr still wants to coach and he wants to be here, which is why nobody knows for sure until
04:51the season ends and everybody sits down and they talk.
04:54But it's just my opinion that I'd be surprised if we're sitting here a couple weeks from now and Steve
05:03and the organization have made the decision,
05:05OK, guys, it was a hell of a run.
05:0712 years, it was great, but it's over.
05:09I think there's a little bit more in the tank for all parties involved.
05:15And the fact that Steph wants it to continue the way that it does tells you basically all you need
05:22to know in a lot of ways as it pertains to everything that we do.
05:27Nick Friedle with us here on Withered and Dibs.
05:29Can I ask a really stupid question?
05:32I want to ask a stupid one.
05:34OK, are we ready?
05:36Let's go.
05:37OK, so Steve Kerr wants to coach and Steph Curry wants Steve Kerr to be the coach and Draymond Green
05:45wants Steve Kerr to be the coach.
05:47And Mike Dunleavy and Joe Lacob both have an appetite for at least at least one more year for Steve
05:55Kerr as the coach.
05:58What the hell is the rub here?
05:59What are we doing?
06:00Like, what is this magical, well, we've got to wait until the end of the season so that we can
06:06look at each other and confirm what all of us all already know.
06:10Why this mystery if everybody is already on the same page?
06:16Mark, my read on it was always that I wasn't sure, at least in the beginning of the year, if
06:23Steve kind of wanted to keep going.
06:26And that's why we started with the anecdote about Detroit and all the things that have happened this year.
06:34I always thought when he didn't sign an extension and he was very open about the fact, hey, we'll sit
06:40down and talk at the end of the year.
06:42I mean, he was trying to figure out in his mind, do I still want to do this?
06:46The front office and the Warriors and Lacob and Dunleavy wanted to figure out, hey, do we still want this?
06:53That's why there's this little air of what's going to happen here.
06:57But to everybody's credit, the messaging has been the same.
07:02We'll sit down, we'll talk at the end, and we'll see where it goes.
07:06My point all along, broadening this thing out for a second, is who in the hell are you bringing in
07:14that's going to be a better fit for Steph, Draymond, very likely Jimmy Butler, and whatever other veteran they may
07:24or may not bring in later on than Steve Kerr?
07:27If Steve Kerr wants to still do this, then he's probably the guy.
07:30So it's a story that has kind of lingered and hovered throughout the year, but it hasn't drawn away attention
07:39from anything else, especially because this team has dealt with so many different things.
07:44But it will immediately come back to focus after that game tomorrow night if they do lose, because it's been
07:52hovering right there.
07:53I mean, Ramona Shelburne, our friend at the station, my old colleague at ESPN, she asked him about it Sunday
08:02before the regular season finale, and Steve just deflected it and said, I'm not worried about that.
08:07I'm not thinking about it. And I believe him, but that will be absolutely one of the first things that
08:15gets popped out if this thing ends the way that it might tomorrow night.
08:20And what do you think about tomorrow night? Do you think that it ends that way tomorrow night?
08:24I mean, I know you're not in the prediction business, but being around the team and seeing where they are
08:29and what the Clippers can bring, what you're feeling about tomorrow night?
08:33Dibs, I can only tell you from the last couple days of practice, they do seem pretty focused.
08:38And they do seem pretty locked in. And when you have Steph and Draymond locked in, everybody else will follow.
08:44I think the big question mark to me will be, what are they going to get from Porzingis?
08:50Because he's been really struggling, especially from three lately.
08:55And what are they going to be able to do against Kawhi?
08:59And the answer always is kind of throw Draymond on the best offensive player and see what happens.
09:05I'm sure he's going to get minutes running him all over the floor.
09:10Notably, guys, I was just at practice an hour ago and Draymond said this version of Kawhi is just like
09:17the version of Kawhi that was beating the Warriors in the finals in 2019 when he was with Toronto.
09:24I thought that was interesting because Draymond is healthy again and it's taken years.
09:29But he looks the part.
09:31He's been awesome.
09:32I think the Warriors can muster things up for one big performance.
09:39And the question always is, can Steph carry them across the line?
09:45I would tell you just found him recently.
09:48He wants to be there.
09:50He wants to play.
09:51The question about minutes, I know that got blown completely out of proportion, it seemed, when Steve was like, ah,
09:58well, he's not going to play 40.
10:00I'd tell you, having just listened to him, I bet he's around 33, 34, 35 tomorrow.
10:06So I don't think it's a huge gap that is going to be missing.
10:10I think they have the talent to beat the Clippers.
10:13I just don't know if they'll be able to put it all together because these guys really haven't played together
10:18much at all because of all the injuries and the turnover on the roster.
10:23Insider calls are brought to you by Hyundai and by the all-new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid.
10:28Learn how it makes everyday epic at HyundaiUSA.com.
10:33We're talking to Nick Friedle.
10:34Great article in The Athletic that launched this morning about the future of Steve Kerr.
10:40I think you touched on it a little bit right there.
10:42Like, this was one of my things about the whole minutes deal for Steph Curry.
10:46I know Dibbs didn't like the word restrictions.
10:49I know that was brought up by a reporter.
10:51But to my way of thinking, it's kind of like, what happens in the late third quarter or early fourth
10:59quarter if it feels like something is slipping away,
11:05but putting Steph in would kind of blow up their minutes plan.
11:10What do you think they would do in that situation?
11:14Mark, the answer is they're not going to compromise Steph Curry.
11:17Okay.
11:17Let's start there.
11:19I mean, they know he's only been back for like a week.
11:22He had his ice pack on his knee just now.
11:25It is something that is, again, hovering around the organization as it should be.
11:31The guy's 38 years old.
11:33He's one of the best players we've ever seen.
11:36They're not going to put him in a compromising position.
11:39Again, though, I go back to when you're listening to Steph and you know the competitiveness inside,
11:45and you know the competitiveness in Draymond, I think those extra minutes will be there when they need it.
11:52There's no way this dude is playing 40-plus minutes tomorrow night.
11:57But to the scenario that you brought up, if the game is slipping and they need Steph to stay in
12:03there,
12:04I think he'll stay in there and figure it out down the stretch as the game proceeds.
12:11But he wants to be out there.
12:13They want to win and keep it going.
12:16Guys, I'd also throw this in there.
12:18I thought it was a really interesting answer.
12:20Poor Zingas yesterday is talking about, you know, I just haven't played with Steph.
12:24I'm still not used to him.
12:26I wish we had more time.
12:28We're trying to figure it out on the fly to see how it works and where everybody likes the ball
12:33and where they like to be on the floor.
12:35The best way to do that is to keep winning.
12:38So in so many weird ways with this team, if they keep winning,
12:42they're going to find more cohesiveness.
12:45But again, given what we've seen, especially lately in the last two weeks,
12:49that's a tall order given how up and down they've been to begin with.
12:54Yeah, and how many games that they haven't been able to all play.
12:57And you had them all sit the other day.
12:59And you pulled them out against Sacramento pretty much early in that one as well.
13:03But looking at the injury report tomorrow, are you estimating,
13:07are you guessing that it's going to be a full go other than the guys who we know are out
13:11for the year?
13:12Dibs, Kurt just answered your question at practice.
13:16And he said, everybody who's healthy enough, everybody who is active, they'll be there.
13:24That's why, again, how it all is out is fascinating because we really haven't seen the way they wanted it
13:31to be all along.
13:32You know, how many minutes does Horford get?
13:34Does he close with Horford because Horford's been in so many big games that you just trust him out there?
13:42How does Porzingis fit knowing that he is just in a little bit of a shooting funk right now
13:47and hasn't played at his best?
13:50I mean, Melton has been solid for them throughout much of the year,
13:53but he hadn't played very well the last month or so either.
13:57So to me, listening to all these guys, what it tells me is, hey, Stephan Draymond,
14:04you want to fire up the engine one more time for old time's sake
14:09and see if you can get everybody else to follow you.
14:12I mean, that's what this game boils down to.
14:16It's a challenge they're looking forward to.
14:18And I'd also tell you, Steph just said it again.
14:22This is why he came back.
14:24He knows he doesn't have a lot of chances left in games that matter.
14:29This one does matter, even though I think the play-in has passed its prime
14:35and is no longer as useful as everybody hoped it would be in the league office.
14:40But it matters.
14:41They want to go to the playoffs.
14:42And if he sets that tone, everybody else will fall in line.
14:46Okay, so, Nick, everybody is available, but how many will play?
14:51How deep does the bench go in this game?
14:54My guess, Mark, is nine.
14:57I'll be curious to see if Seth Curry gets a few minutes off the bench
15:02trying to open things up, if they need a little offense,
15:07because we know he can hit shots.
15:09But I don't think he's going too, too deep tomorrow.
15:13He's going to play the guys he trusts the most,
15:15and he's going to see if they can keep the game tight
15:19and Steph can hit a couple shots late.
15:21Who are the nine?
15:23So, like, I mean, there's the obvious, right?
15:25So, like, let's go through this.
15:26Steph, Draymond, Al Horford, Melton, Pods, Porzingis, Guy Santos.
15:35That's seven.
15:36Yep.
15:37GP2.
15:38GP2 is in.
15:39Okay, do you think, does Will Richard play in this game?
15:44If he does, it'll be very limited.
15:48Okay.
15:49Does Pat Spencer play in this game?
15:53I don't believe so.
15:54Wow.
15:55I think it would surprise me, Mark, only because Pat has had really good moments,
16:04but I just think there might be a couple better options.
16:08And, again, this goes back to, do you go with Seth?
16:12Do you go with Pat?
16:13Somebody's going to get a few minutes.
16:15One of those guys, Will Richard, is in that category.
16:18And I think Steve's just going to ride whatever hot hand there may be as far as who's playing well
16:24in that moment.
16:25What about Bassey?
16:29That is a tricky one because he really hasn't been there much at all.
16:34But he is absolutely giving them a different look.
16:37Yeah.
16:38So, if you told me before the season that we were going to be talking about Charles Bassey, whatever minutes
16:45he may play going into a play-in, I would have told you you lost your mind.
16:49But I see where you're going because he has played well.
16:52He's a big man that can do things down low.
16:54And when you have that, as Kerr just said, though, it's ringing in my head, and I'm sure he'll tell
17:00you guys the same here shortly.
17:02It all depends on the matchups and how the game plays out.
17:06So, it's however the game looks, that's who's going to get those extra couple minutes.
17:11But you can bank on, at least to me, as I listen to them, they're going to play the guys
17:17that have been there and know exactly where to be more often than not.
17:22And it's going to depend on Steph versus Kawhi.
17:27They know this matchup very well.
17:29They know they're going to have to throw bodies all over Kawhi and get him off his game.
17:34And if they do that, and they at least slow him a little bit, and Steph gets hot, then they
17:41should be playing somewhere else on Friday.
17:43It's fascinating because I'm thinking about, even if Bassey doesn't play, all of a sudden the Warriors have this big
17:48lineup.
17:49Have you talked to Steve at all about how different it is over the last month or so to have
17:55actual size out there?
17:56It is funny because you see him kind of get that little grin on his face, like, yeah, it's different.
18:02Like, you know, and Dibbs, I tell you, on top of Bassey, think about Horford, Draymond, Porzingis.
18:10That's the other part to this because you can go really big.
18:13How exactly that all fits, we'll see.
18:15But, Mark, I mean, to me, it ties back to what we're talking about all along.
18:19We're talking about all these different combos and possibilities and who's going to be out there.
18:24The reality for the Warriors is they haven't really played there much.
18:28All these different guys, it's like a hodgepodge of, hey, who's healthy?
18:32Who can actually give us minutes?
18:35I mean, you know Pods will be there.
18:38He's been out there throughout and played in every game, and he seems to have found a little groove lately.
18:46But anybody who is running well tomorrow, who is not in that core group that we're talking about,
18:53they've got a chance to at least take their three or four minutes and turn those maybe into seven or
19:00eight
19:00and see if they can help in the second half.
19:03Nick, I always laugh about the whole, like, what percent is a player?
19:07Because, you know, they'll be like, oh, about 80%.
19:09Like, where do these numbers come from?
19:11But I am curious, we know Steph's not 100%.
19:16What do you think he's dealing with in terms of pain and limitation right now?
19:22I mean, Mark, I would only guess, but my guess in both watching him and listening to what he's saying
19:31is
19:31we're at about 80% of what he could be.
19:35Because there's no doubt he's still having some pain or lingering soreness in that knee,
19:42or else he wouldn't be coming to the podium and spending all the time postgame getting the treatment on it
19:48that he is.
19:49So I don't think he's anywhere close to 100% by any stretch,
19:53and I think that's part of why there's going to be such an extra eye on the minutes and how
19:59he looks.
20:00But for the most part, what I would tell you is I think Draymond seems to be fine.
20:07You know, nobody's 100% in the middle of April after an 82-game regular season,
20:13but I think they actually feel good.
20:16I mean, Porzingis was pretty funny yesterday.
20:20He's like, it's like, Kristaps, how are you feeling?
20:22He's like, I feel good.
20:22I just feel heavy.
20:23He thinks he's gained a little weight,
20:25and that's why he's not as light on his feet as he was in Boston.
20:30So as it all comes down tomorrow, they're going to give it everything they have.
20:36And for a team that, because of that culture, you know,
20:39we started the conversation on culture, and we're kind of bringing it full circle.
20:44But I will always give this iteration in this year's version of the Warriors credit
20:49in that they have played hard no matter who has been out there.
20:54And there are plenty of teams, guys.
20:57I mean, hell, take a look at half the NBA this year, it seems like,
21:00who would have just folded it up and said, screw it, we're done.
21:04Not only did the guys who kept playing not do that,
21:08here comes Steph, who has no business to a lot of the fan base being out there,
21:14saying, no, I want to play.
21:15I want to get them across the line here in this game.
21:19I want to be there for Draymond.
21:20I think, as somebody who's covered the league, as long as I have,
21:24I think that's admirable.
21:25On a baseline level, no matter what happens,
21:28it's admirable that this team is just giving whatever they got,
21:33and they'll see if they can win on Wednesday.
21:35Did you pack for OKC?
21:39Absolutely not.
21:40No.
21:40So if they get to OKC, I need to buy, like, three more shirts.
21:45I've got enough to get – I told Steve I was frustrated because what I thought
21:52was going to happen no matter what is they would be off Monday.
21:56I had it lined up to go see Springsteen and to go repack my bag and to get back,
22:04take the flight on Tuesday back to L.A.
22:07No, no, no.
22:07Not only have they stayed there, which I think obviously benefits them
22:11and they'll be in a better state of mind seeing all this sunshine,
22:13but they practiced yesterday in L.A., today in L.A.
22:19We'll see if they have a shoot round in the morning,
22:21but it messed up my travel plans for sure.
22:24Man.
22:24Well, we'll talk to you next Tuesday as we get ready for Game 2
22:29in Oklahoma City in your underwear.
22:32No, no, no, no, no.
22:33I mean, at that point, Mark, I might go all the way in.
22:36I may have, like, a cowboy hat.
22:38Perfect.
22:39And a bolo tie.
22:40And a bathing suit.
22:41Yeah.
22:42Whatever it takes to get to Game 2,
22:46rest assured that if I get to Oklahoma,
22:48I will be living the clothing dream.
22:51I can't wait.
22:52I can't wait.
22:53Nick, thank you.
22:54Thank you so much.
22:54Great work.
22:56Guys, I've enjoyed it all year.
22:57I know we got next week, but thanks.
22:59Absolutely.
23:00There he goes.
23:01Odyssey Sports NBA Insider Nick Friedle.
23:03Insider Calls are brought to you by Hyundai
23:05and the all-new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid.
Comments