Why the Warriors just dumped the coaches that made Steve Kerr’s system work and what comes next
Steve Kerr’s new bench will look completely differentThe Golden State Warriors are not just making minor changes to their coaching staff. They are replacing two key assistants who provided Steve Kerr with the most distinct offensive and defensive voices on his bench.
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images Steve Kerr’s new bench will look completely different The Golden State Warriors are not just making minor changes to their coaching staff. They are replacing two key assistants who provided Steve Kerr with the most distinct offensive and defensive voices on his bench. Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse are both leaving Kerr’s staff, ending a two-year stretch in which Golden State tried to modernise its offence and sharpen its defensive accountability around an ageing core.
That matters because the Warriors already know what this roster looks like when the old internal balance is not enough. Golden State brought in Stotts to complement Kerr’s read-and-react system with a bit more structure. Even though this season didn’t go as planned, that role remained important.
The Warriors finished 19th in offensive rating, raising questions about whether the issues were down to injuries or if it was time for a more defined approach. What made Stotts valuable was his different viewpoint. He offered a way to connect Kerr’s style with a league that has shifted toward straightforward plays, quick decisions, and late-clock simplicity.
With him gone, the Warriors need to decide if they want someone similar or if it’s time for a bigger change in direction. Photo by Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images Stackhouse’s impact went beyond just the defence Stackhouse may have been tasked with overseeing the defence, but his influence extended well beyond just tactics. Reports on his departure have highlighted how he became a trusted voice among the veterans, able to bring an edge to conversations without it ever feeling forced.