Steve Kerr plus Gregg Popovich and Michael Jordan

this week, Michael Jordan used the second episode of his “MJ: Insights to Excellence” to discuss the phenomenon of “workload management” in the NBA. Given that ” this should not be necessary “, because he especially wanted “ impress that guy at the top of the stand, who’s probably been working hard for a spot or saving up for one ».

The words of “his majesty” inevitably reached the ears Steve Kerrof his former teammate in Chicago, who wanted to highlight the contribution Gregg Popovich in this area.

« He was clearly a pioneer at this level » the judge the current coach Warriors. « He coached a team that went deep into the playoffs almost every year and understood the effect that can have on players as the game speeds up. So I think he really popularized the idea of ​​rest and its benefits. »

In twenty years, the NBA has evolved a lot

A former player (and student) of Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, whom he then supported on the bench for Team USA, Steve Kerr therefore sides with the man who taught him a lot. And who he often sanctioned, David Stern, then Adam Silver, for their unexpected vacations.

Especially since Golden State he can’t afford to put too much strain on the bodies of his players, who are aging and the California staff is keeping a close eye on…

« Four of our best players are between 35 and 39 years old… » recalls Steve Kerr, regarding Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Al Horford. ” We now have teams linked to performance. When I played for the Bulls, we had a physical therapist and a conditioning coach. Now we have loads of data coming in from our performance team, which is about a dozen people… They advise me on the times when our players are most vulnerable and I believe that. I believe in science and I believe in keeping players healthy for the playoffs. If that means resting them along the way, then I’m all for it, because that’s what matters come playoff time. I don’t think there’s any exact data that can predict every injury, but I think there are trends that we can look at, that experts can look at, that can help us get through the season well. »

“The only solution: shorten the season. But good luck on your arrival…”

in a few years, Steve Kerr military for the NBA to reduce the length of its season and go to 72 games, instead of the usual 82. Except that he has no illusions on the subject and, therefore, it can lead to situations where his best players do not play. Much to the dismay of Stephen Curry fans, for example…

« Over the years, we’ve had a lot of matches where we’ve come off a long road trip and rested Steph » he says. ” Then Raymond Reeder (in charge of communications for the Warriors, editor’s note) received an email from a fan, who spent $2,000 to come, between travel, hotel and tickets. We feel really bad at this moment and we want all our fans to be able to see Steph play… So the only real solution, we all know: would be to shorten the season. But good luck getting there… »

After ten days, the Warriors have already played six games in four different cities and Steve Kerr is aware that the increasingly demanding schedule is still difficult for his players.

« Of our next ten games, I think eight will be away games and, when it’s all said and done, we’ll have 15 games in 26 days, in ten different cities… » emphasizes in this sense. ” Asking our players to sprint, whether it’s with full-court pressure, on offense or defense, to run to the 3-point line, to defend that 3-point line, or to play at that pace… It’s something completely different than it was twenty years ago. »