Kerr Slams ‘Embarrassing’ Warriors

Steve Kerr has described Golden State Warriors’ performance against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday as “embarrassing”.

The reigning NBA champions were well below their best, as they were beaten 128-95 at the Oracle Arena, a result that hasn’t affected their standing at the top of the Western Conference, but it has added to a worrying slump in form that has seen them win just three of their last eight games.

Kerr certainly left his players in no uncertain terms about what he thought of their latest display. “We did not go all out,” the 53-year-old was quoted as saying by ESPN.

“It was embarrassing.” The Warriors were without offensive star Klay Thompson for the match, as he missed out with a knee injury, but it was more their defensive lapses that proved costly.

Five Celtics players made it to double figures in terms of points, with Gordon Hayward catching the eye with his game-high total of 30, while he also contributed seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Kerr accepted he made errors in the way he set up the Warriors from a defensive point of view, but he also felt there was a lack of intensity from the off.

“I’ve got to do a better job in making sure we are in the right defensive schemes and get the right combinations on the floor,” Kerr added.

“It’s a group effort and I’m the coach, so I’ve got to make sure I’m doing my job. “It starts with a passion, an anger, an intensity, and it wasn’t there tonight.”

Golden State will be looking to return to winning ways when they welcome the Denver Nuggets to the Oracle Arena on Friday.