Steve Kerr NBA Golden State Warriors Double Drag Play

Written by Coach Peterman

I have coached at the NCAA Division 2 (Southwestern Oklahoma State University), NAIA (USAO), and JUCO Levels (Blinn College and Carl Albert State College) as well as high school. I just felt that fellow coaches especially young coaches need to constantly work on their “game”. Just like the basketball players that we coach. We as coaches need to improve ourselves. That is my story and why I do this blog.

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January 30, 2015

Steve Kerr NBA Golden State Warriors Double Drag Play

The Golden State Warriors had a coaching change that was of the Jim Harbaugh magnitude with Mark Jackson and Steve Kerr. Steve Kerr has a defensive philosophy that is very similar to Mark Jackson. Offense is another story. Steve Kerr believes in an offense that is the antithesis of Mark Jackson. The Golden State Warriors have surged from 10th in the NBA in points per game to 1st. The difference in Mark Jackson’s offensive philosophy and Steve Kerr is so extensive.

The three drastic changes can be broken down in 3 ways: Pace, Placement, and Passing.

1) Pace

Alvin Gentry is the new offensive coordinator of the Golden State Warriors. Under Steve Kerr, they have become the fastest pace in the league at 101.3 possessions per game compared to Mark Jackson’s 98.5 possessions per game. This move has resulted in Steve Kerr and an offense that employs pace to wear down opponents. The Golden State Warriors are formulated for this acceleration in style as their players are young and their bench is the same….. except for Andrew Bogut.

2) Placement

This section should really be the “Shut up, Charles Barkley” section. The Warriors are getting to spots on the court where their offense is more successful and efficient than any time. Yes, they are shooting three point shots, but it is a crime to rely on the three ball? They pull less pull-up jumpers and have moved from 25th to 14th in touches within 12 feet from the basket. Is anyone thanking Vance Walberg for this last statement yet?

They have increased interior scoring from 17th to 6th in baskets within 5 feet of the hoop. NBA team who live and die by the three don’t shoot the Steve Kerr Golden State Warrior’s field goal percentage which is the highest field goal percentage in the league. This offense is more dynamic than most three point teams.

3) Passing

Last season, the Golden State Warriors were the LAST in the NBA in passes per game. Are you serious?

Steve Kerr changed that fact. They are now 10th in the NBA in passes per game and lead the league in assists per game.

Often times it’s the least flexible offenses that are easiest to stop -coaches can reverse-engineer their plays and disrupt their rhythm. A lightning pace, high efficiency positioning, and dizzying passing, provides the Warriors malleability -they aren’t confined to one set, play, or style. They’re unpredictable.

Yet, the biggest difference between Kerr and Jackson goes one final step further. Even though his team has the best record in the NBA, Kerr is saying quotes like this one from before the Celtics game…

“My biggest concern as a coach is to not confuse winning with progress, if that makes sense. And it’s a hard message…you’re not so much playing against all these different opponents, you’re almost playing against your own standards.”

The Golden State Warriors league leading offense will never bee done by their leader…. He will never stop pushing them for the impossible which is perfection. Coupled with unprecedented pace, placement, and passing, Kerr’s offense is comprehensively different from and superior to Jackson’s.

You can learn more about Santa Clara University Men’s Basketball by visiting KerryKeating.com, following them on Twitter at @SantaClaraHoops on Instagram at SantaClaraMensBasketball.
For questions or comments please contact Brandon Rosenthal at bmrosenthal@scu.edu.

steve kerr