Steve Kerr and the Power of the Bench

STEVE KERR and the POWER OF THE BENCH

After game 3 of the NBA Finals I stated that Draymond Green had lost his focus and how to remedy the problem. I noticed that in the post game press conference Green talked about only non-basketball issues like Cedric Maxwell and fan responses. Draymond had lost his way and it was affecting the Warrior chances of winning it all.

My solution was to let Draymond Green start, and play. On the other hand,?if he did not produce adequately, then make him sit like all other less productive players. I got this coaching "jewel" from the great John Wooden.. It worked great for him, for me over several seasons, and for Steve Kerr in game 4.

In game 3 Draymond had a stat line of 2 points, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds in 35 minutes. At the 7 minute mark of the 4th quarter Coach Kerr sat Green who had only 2 points. Kerr sat him for 6 minutes and the Warriors took control of the game. Kerr did reinsert Green with one minute left. Green played like an uncaged tiger, and made key hustle plays that helped seal the victory.

Draymond Green did not like being benched, and Steve Kerr knew it. Draymond is shooting 6/26 for the series, including 0-9 from three point range. What could he say? To his credit, Draymond Green finished with 8 assists, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals in game 4 despite scoring only one basket. Also, Draymond Green played two less minutes than he had been during the playoffs. The two extra bench minutes spoke volumes, and Draymond got the message.

The Draymond Green's game 4 press conference was nothing like his post game interview the previous game. Green had been humbled and refocused especially when he found out that his benching was apart of a Steve Kerr pregame "plan". The Warriors evened the series, and?I immediately told friends that Kerr read my post, then made the adjustment that worked. Be advised, I really know better.?

During the playoffs Steph Curry, Jordan Poole, Kevon Looney, Gary Payton 2, and Otto Porter have all started and come off of the bench. No one on the Warriors is "too good" to sit including Draymond Green. So far they have not had to go to the 7th game by using this technique of accountability.?

Sitting on the bench has a motivational effect for those with championship DNA. John Wooden got it right, using the bench to "inspire" high IQ basketball is powerful. Ask Kevon Looney, Steph Curry, Otto Porter, Jordan Poole. They all have had an impact during the playoffs after "having a seat". Expect more production and better efficiency out of Draymond Green for the rest of the series too. Steve Kerr has no problem using the power of the bench to win another NBA championship.

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