Draymond Green says Steve Kerr is tightening the standard in Golden State.
On a recent episode of “The Draymond Green Show” podcast, Green said Kerr has stopped giving him and Stephen Curry the usual cushion for turnovers that came with their heavy usage and central roles in the offense.
“Steve used to always tell us like 'Steph and Draymond gonna turn the ball over more than everybody else and I'm gonna give them room to turn the ball over…' and he (recently) said to us 'Just an FYI, I'm no longer giving you guys a pass to turn the ball over more than everyone else',” Green said.
That’s a notable shift for a Warriors team that has long lived with turnovers as part of the deal under Kerr. The pace, the movement, and the constant ball-sharing have always made mistakes part of the package. Curry and Green, in particular, have carried reputations for giving the ball away more than most teammates because of how much they handle and initiate.
But with both veterans in the twilight of their careers and Golden State gradually bringing a younger core into the mix, the message sounds clear: the standard is changing. Whether the goal is to set the tone from the top or simply cut down on the mistakes, Kerr appears focused on getting the Warriors cleaner with the ball.
How Curry and Green respond in the upcoming season will be worth watching, especially if that new standard starts to shape the way Golden State plays.
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