Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr underwent back surgery in the offseason and since then, Kerr has taken time away from the team. He stepped aside and assistant coach Luke Walton has stepped in as the interim head coach.
Kerr’s back issues haven’t stopped him from traveling with the team as they play preseason games in California but he has yet to be on the sidelines for Golden State.
His future with the team might be up in the air as the Warriors get ready for their season opener next week against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Following from Ethan Sherwood Strauss and Marc Stein of ESPN.com.
?”He still doesn’t know,” Warriors interim coach Luke Walton said after practice Monday in Los Angeles. “He’s not going to force a return. There’s no timetable still. He’s been around more lately, which is great. As long as it’s not affecting his recovery, I think it’s healthy for the guys to see him.
“Steve’s brilliant at giving quick, clean messages to the players when they need it. He’s been able to do that the last couple days. He just told me I’m doing a great job, just keep doing what you’re doing, the guys are going to take care of some stuff you’re probably stressing about, we have really good players and so we’ll be fine.”
Although the Warriors have repeatedly stressed that no one can forecast how long it will take Kerr to recover, one source close to the situation conceded over the weekend that the team is bracing for the possibility that the coach will be unavailable “for a little while.”
The Warriors are in good hands under Walton and the rest of the Warriors coaching staff including the defensive minded Ron Adams.
For continuity purposes, Kerr on the sidelines would be ideal, especially when the Warriors get their championship rings on opening night.
