Seated on stage next to Kevin Durant, Steve Kerr looked like a kid on Christmas.
Thursday’s introductory press conference was viewed as a celebration of landing the most coveted free agent since LeBron James in 2010, but also a quick glance into October, when the 2016-17 season will begin with another MVP on the Warriors’ roster.
Kerr couldn’t lie to reporters. The coaching staff has already started drawing up schemes, for what is set to become one of the most breathtaking offenses basketball has ever seen. And behind only James, there’s not a player in the NBA who can do more on a basketball court than the 27-year-old Durant.
“I think that was attractive to him to be able to play with Draymond and Steph and Klay, because of the way those guys play,” Kerr said. “We have guys who are not just shooters, not just ball handlers. We kind of have a bunch of basketball players, and that’s what’s made our team really good the last couple years.
“So to add another guy who is so talented and not just a shooter or not just a defender, he’s a basketball player, and we think the style fits him perfectly. We think he suits us perfectly, and the combination of all these guys playing together should be a lot of fun to watch.”
Go back and watch the Western Conference Finals and remind yourself about one of the more surprising revelations. Durant’s defense in the post changed the game for the Warriors, who saw their small ball lineup run into a brick wall. Kerr was forced to call upon heavier minutes for Andrew Bogut. Durant’s defense was at the forefront of making that chess move.
“We had a pretty tough time in the Playoffs with Kevin’s length and versatility defensively,” Kerr said, “and of course that’s kind of been our calling card as a defense the last couple years, the versatility, the ability to switch, and Kevin fits perfectly into that style.”
When asked about where he wants to see Durant improve, GM Bob Myers said it will be different for Durant to get out of the isolation style of play. Very different. The Thunder were dead last in the NBA in passes last season, the Warriors were first.
“Everyone knows and recognizes it’ll be an adjustment,” Myers said.
Kerr will play the part of conductor in recognizing these modifications and will demand extra passing. When Golden State started losing in the playoffs, ball movement became a serious problem. It’s not a halfway kind of thing with the passing: the team will have to commit. The Warriors won’t look and feel like they did the last two years, even though the ran through the league winning 140 games.
“It really does feel like it should be seamless, and that probably won’t be the case,” Kerr said. “There’s always some bumps. But it does feel like it’s a perfect fit at both ends and that we should hit the ground running, and that’s the hope.”
As for Durant?
“I’m just ready to play ball,” he smiled.
