Golden State Warriors' fans left fuming after Steve Kerr's bizarre handling of former lottery pick
![Moses Moody of the Golden State Warriors celebrates a three-pointer against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday Moses Moody of the Golden State Warriors celebrates a three-pointer against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3600,h_2025,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/41/01hfdya75j840nbkd0ft.jpg)
The Golden State Warriors fell to their fifth-straight loss on Thursday night at Chase Center, undone by a shooting masterclass from the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder in a 128-109 defeat.
Without the injured Stephen Curry and the suspended Draymond Green, head coach Steve Kerr had some decisions to make in regard to his rotation. It's fair to say some of those weren't met with a whole lot of love from Warrior fans, particularly in the first-half where the Thunder built a 19-point lead.
Golden State Warriors' fans were left fuming at some of Steve Kerr's decision making on Thursday night, especially in regard to third-year wing Moses Moody.
Fans and analysts continue to bemoan the treatment of 2021 lottery pick Moses Moody, something that reached a new level on Thursday with Kerr prioritizing others in a first-quarter the Thunder won 39-24.
Moody didn't play at all in opening period, before making an immediate impact when finally called upon. The 21-year-old played all but 29 seconds in the second-quarter, recording 10 points and three rebounds as Golden State fought back to cut the lead to seven by half-time.
Moody was less effective in the second-half but was still one of the team's better players in another disappointing performance. Fans continue to yearn for more consistent minutes for the former 14th overall pick, taking particular exception to Cory Joseph's entrance before Moody against the Thunder.
“I gotta play Moses more”- guaranteed postgame quote https://t.co/CV4KEA1UNl
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) November 17, 2023
Moody out again so Cory Joseph can guard Jalen Williams and brick open 3s 🔥🔥🔥
— Shohei Ohtani Stan Account (@AndyKHLiu) November 17, 2023
Not sure who abducted the Steve Kerr that coached this team from 2014-2022, but that guy doesn’t currently exist.
— Tommy Gunn (@TommyGunnNBA) November 17, 2023
He eschewed lineups with SIZE for microball.
He NEEDS to figure it out or the season is OVER.
This is a 65-win roster. Kerr is making them look like a 42-win roster.
— Jim Park🏀🌌 (@Sheridanblog) November 17, 2023
The wish for more Moody minutes may be on the way, although the circumstances are unfortunate given an injury to defensive-minded guard Gary Payton II. The 30-year-old landed awkwardly on his left ankle after getting fouled on a layup attempt in the second-quarter, with Payton leaving the game and not returning for the remainder.
But even regardless of Payton's injury, the case for more Moody minutes is an easy one to make. The struggles for Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson continued against OKC, with the pair combining for just 17 points on 7-23 shooting.
Moody is currently averaging 7.5 points in 17.3 minutes per game, shooting 46.2% from the floor and 36.4% from three-point range. In contrast, Thompson and Wiggins are both shooting 40.1% from the floor, with the latter now a paltry 13.5% from beyond the arc.
The Warriors are currently ranked 21st in three-point shooting percentage this season -- as one of the best shooters on the team, providing a more consistent role for Moody would probably be a step in changing those current fortunes.
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