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Steve Kerr: Warriors are “Mentally Fried” and Ready for All-Star Break

By Andrew Ites

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 30: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors yells to his team during a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 30, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 30: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors yells to his team during a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 30, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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The Warriors have played more games than just about any team in the NBA over the past four seasons, and head coach Steve Kerr thinks it’s starting to wear on his players.

Since the beginning of the 2014-15 season, the Warriors have played 298 regular season games, including last night’s win over the Kings, plus an additional 62 games in the playoffs where the intensity is even higher.

Aside from Kevin Durant, who played plenty of playoff games in Oklahoma City, the Warriors have kept the core of their roster together for most of this incredible run, and they’re starting to wear down from the day-to-day grind of the NBA.

Golden State has two Larry O’Brien trophies at home to show for their efforts, but that doesn’t take away any of the wear and tear these players have endured over the past three-and-a-half seasons. Steve Kerr has noticed the tired look of his team, and he commented on it after their most recent win over Sacramento.

"“Guys are dying to get to the All-Star break,” said Kerr. “We’re limping to the finish line of the All-Star break. But we’ve got to fight through it to the break and then we need to get the hell away from each other and go sit on a beach and relax and then we’ll be in great shape.”"

Tuesday night’s blowout loss to the Jazz was a great example of how mentally and physically exhausted this team is. A fully-rested Warriors team would never lose like that, even in one of the toughest road environments in the NBA.

"“… It’s painful obviously that our guys are mentally fried right now,” Kerr continued. “So it’s a good job to just get a win. … Our guys are tired mentally, emotionally. So we just got to fight through, get to the break and rejuvenate.”"

Draymond Green echoed Kerr’s comments by saying just about every team in the NBA is looking forward to the All-Star break as these are truly the dog days of the difficult 82-game season. Many of the Warriors stars won’t get to go on vacation during All-Star weekend as four of them will be on the court for the All-Star game.

Nonetheless, an All-Star weekend in L.A. or a weekend vacation in Aruba should allow Golden State to come back stronger for the second half of the season.

Next: Are there Ulterior Motives in the LeBron to Warriors Story?

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