Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed surprise at reports that Kevin Durant was unhappy with the side’s handling of his injury situation. Durant will be out for almost a year following an Achilles injury which occurred during the NBA finals series against the Toronto Raptors.
The latest serious injury came just 12 minutes into the player’s comeback from a month out with a calf problem. That led to speculation that Durant was unhappy about being rushed back. However Kerr has defended the Warriors’ treatment of Durant and said he had not heard reports of the player’s concerns.
The Warriors coach said: “No, we haven’t heard anything like that. We had not only our staff, but Kevin’s own personal specialist, and then a third independent specialist all clear him to play. “All three after the fact were shocked at what proceeded with the Achilles, they all said it was the first time they’d ever seen this.”
Meanwhile Kerr also commented on the future of current assistant coach Ron Adams in light of an approach from the LA Lakers. Kerr confirmed that an approach had come in for Adams and said the club wouldn’t stand in his way if he wanted to move.
“Basically, we talked about the LA situation. I called him to tell him that they had asked permission and that we would grant it,” he added.
“And so I don’t know if they’ve spoken with him yet, and I don’t know what his final answer would be. I don’t even know what they would be offering him. But my feeling is that Ron will want to come back, and we want him back.”
The Warriors made the NBA finals for the fifth year in a row but lost out to the Raptors, bringing to an end a two-year winning streak. The new NBA season begins in October and the Warriors are 7.00 to win the Western Conference with the Lakers 2.88. The Warriors are at 11.00 to win the NBA finals.
