The Warriors have reached record heights this season even if their quest for an NBA-record 34 straight wins was thwarted Saturday in Milwaukee. Golden State can rejoice though as an important member from last season's championship team might be coming back soon.
According to the San Jose Mercury News, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr remains optimistic he will coach this season and believes the Warriors' upcoming home stand will be a good indicator of when he can return. He has missed the first seven weeks of the season while recovering offseason back surgery.
"There is no timetable. I have to feel well enough to go through the grind," Kerr said. "I know what the grind’s about. I know my body, and this will be a good couple of weeks being at home, really being engaged at practice. I’ll have a good feel over the next couple weeks.
"It was harder to tell when the team’s on the road and you’re not part of it. But when you’re there every day now and practicing, you just get a better sense of the energy and dealing with the symptoms."
It was reported last month that Kerr could be away from the team until after the All-Star break in February. Without him, the Dubs have gotten off to a 24-1 start under interim coach Luke Walton, who won the Western Conference's Coach of the Month award for October and November.
Kerr said the team's hot start has nothing to do with his timetable.
"It has no bearing. This is all health related, but it does make it much easier to be on the sidelines," he said. "If we were really struggling, I would feel guilty about not being out there. But the fact that we’re doing so well makes it a lot easier for all of us.
"The main thing is I just have to get well and be ready; when I do come back, be ready for the grind."
It's scary to think the Warriors, who boast the league's top point differential, might actually be able to improve this season, but that's the reality when their second-year coach returns to the bench.