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Golden State Warriors: Steve Kerr must adjust Stephen Curry’s workload

By Pete Hernandez III

TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 10: Stephen Curry #30 and Head Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors talk during Game Five of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors on June 10, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 10: Stephen Curry #30 and Head Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors talk during Game Five of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors on June 10, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Stephen Curry could potentially be the sole generator on offense for the Golden State Warriors next season. If that proves to be true, Steve Kerr must adjust his long-term workload accordingly.

It’s not difficult to imagine that Golden State Warriors” superstar Stephen Curry is leveraging as much of the offseason as he can to rest, recover, and prepare for the uncertainty ahead.

Without Kevin Durant (regardless if he re-signs) for all of the 2019 season and without Klay Thompson for a majority of the season, the Golden State Warriors have many unknowns ahead of them.

Both Durant and Thompson were the unfortunate ones to pay the price of a long and grueling regular season and postseason run. Curry and Draymond Green are likely still recovering from the six-game NBA Finals that tested the overall health of the team.

Now imagine what the workload will be like ahead for an 82 game regular season without Durant and Thompson in uniform for the majority of said games.

For the 31-year-old Curry, he knows that the grind ahead will be tougher than usual, but he reiterated that he’s as ready as he’ll be in an interview with the New York Times.

“I run a lot more than the next guy…I can withstand that type of output night after night. It’s going to be hard. It’s going to require another level of discipline” Curry said in the NYT article.

Everything Stephen Curry mentioned is true. With the added workload ahead of him, he’s going to need to stay not only physically in shape but mentally in focus as well. The challenge will require an added level of discipline and preparation.

But Curry does not need to take this challenge on alone. Steve Kerr must work towards managing and adjusting his franchise cornerstone’s workload for the upcoming season. This doesn’t necessarily mean resting Curry for “load management” purposes or anything of the like.

Though the Warriors are no longer the favorites, Golden State can’t afford to sit their star player and hope to throw away the season. The dynasty shouldn’t be ending, instead, it should be put on pause.

More importantly, it means Kerr must realize when it’s time to stray away from old habits and schemes in order to keep the long-term in mind. We’re used to seeing Curry play off the ball, setting screens for the likes of Durant or Thompson to get a wide-open look.

But now without those two players, is it really worth it to have Curry place the extra toll on his body if a priority of the upcoming season should be to avoid any more impactful injuries? Instead of constantly having Curry setting screens, putting more wear and tear on his body, it might be best to keep the ball in his hands.

Have Curry go one-on-one or run the pick and roll but what should be most imperative is that the offense flows through number 30. Kerr doesn’t need to stray away from the ball-movement system in its entirety, but if this upcoming season requires anything it means that Golden State needs to adapt.

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It remains to be seen whether Golden State will be playing for a championship next year, but it doesn’t mean this team should throw away the season, or “take the year off.” They do need to ensure they don’t put the long-term health of Curry in jeopardy. If that means straying away from old habits and adapting, then so be it.

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