During All-Star media day in Febraury, Draymond Green took a shot at the NBA’s current style, calling it “boring” and lacking real substance. To him, the game had boiled down to nothing more than speed and three-point shooting. If that sounds familiar, it’s because plenty of fans and analysts have voiced the same frustration. The growing obsession with three-pointers has been a constant debate, with many wondering if it’s actually hurting the league. But his own boss, Steve Kerr, disagrees.
Green might find today’s NBA boring, but last night was anything but. Stephen Curry torched the scoreboard with 52 points, while Nikola Jokic put up an even wilder 61. Never before had two former MVPs each hit 50+ on the same night. Safe to say, history didn’t care about style complaints and neither did Warriors’ HC Kerr.
The 59-year-old coach pushed back against criticisms of the modern NBA, pointing to Steph and Jokic’s historic performances as proof of how special the league’s talent has become. Kerr marveled at the skill level on display. “Watching Steph last night, watching Jokic, if these types of games happened 10 years ago, honestly I think NBA fans would have been losing their minds,” Kerr said.
The four-time championship-winning coach believes the conversation around the NBA’s quality has taken a strange turn, with some critics claiming the product has declined. Kerr strongly disagreed. “I think what’s happened is the players have gotten so skilled and they’re doing such amazing things, I think our game is being taken for granted,” he said.
Dec 21, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and guard Stephen Curry (30) look on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
With debates about the league’s entertainment value making headlines, Kerr challenged those doubting the modern game. “You read these articles like, ‘The NBA product isn’t that great.’ Are you kidding me? Are you looking at these guys? They’re just spectacular and they’ve never been more skilled. I’m just blown away by what I see night after night,” he added.
Kerr isn’t the only one pushing back against the idea that the NBA’s product has declined. In January, Charles Barkley fired back at JJ Redick after the Lakers coach criticized the way the NBA is covered. Barkley didn’t hold back when responding to Redick’s December 19 comments about national TV ratings. “[Redick] said something about we’re the reason people ain’t watching this crappy product we got. … Yeah, us,” Barkley said. “Like we’re out there jacking up a hundred 3s a night.”
As the discourse around today’s NBA continues, opinions remain split. Some see a league watered down by three-pointers and pace, while others—like Kerr—see a golden age of talent. Either way, the conversation isn’t dying down anytime soon.
And if Tuesday night was any indication, the Warriors might be heading into the postseason with one of their most intriguing rosters yet—stacked with veteran firepower but also leaning on a group of young players who haven’t been through the grind of deep playoff runs.
Steve Kerr has a strategy which he hasn’t used before
Golden State’s 134-125 win over the Grizzlies wasn’t just another regular-season matchup—it had that high-stakes playoff feel. And when the pressure cranked up, the Warriors’ battle-tested stars rose to the occasion. Steph was on another level, drilling 12 threes on his way to a ridiculous 52 points. Jimmy Butler, in his best game with the team, added 27, while Draymond controlled everything, racking up a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists.
But while the vets carried the night, the Warriors‘ young guns had a tougher time. Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody came through late—Podziemski skied over Ja Morant for a clutch tip-in, and Moody iced the game with a dagger three. Still, their overall impact was hit-or-miss. Along with Quinten Post and Gui Santos, they combined for 31 points on 34 shots—not exactly efficient.
Feb 5, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr watches his team from the sidelines during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
That’s the balancing act for Steve Kerr. For the first time, he’s relying on young players in critical roles. In past years, playoff experience was the Warriors’ calling card. Even when they won in 2022, Jordan Poole was the only key piece under 25 with limited experience. Now, Moody and Podziemski are starters, while Kuminga, Post, and Santos could see serious minutes.
Will Kerr trust them when it matters? Or will vets like Kevon Looney and Gary Payton II take over? One thing’s clear—Golden State’s playoff run will test this youth movement like never before.
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