NBA Legend Pushes Again on Steve Kerr's Newest NBA Take

[ad_1] The Golden State Warriors are free-falling because the NBA common season enters its remaining month.

The 32-34 Warriors will doubtless make the Play-In Event within the Western Convention, however that is a far cry from their dynasty that almost all just lately gained the 2022 NBA Finals. To make issues murkier, the Warriors misplaced 4 gamers to damage over the weekend, together with Draymond Inexperienced. Two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry has been out since Jan. 30 with "runner's knee," and All-Star Jimmy Butler tore his ACL in late January.

So, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr has let his thoughts wander towards bigger-picture points.

"I do know this is not going to be a preferred opinion within the league workplace, however I'll proceed to say it as a result of it is apparent we have to play fewer video games," Kerr stated final Monday, as per ESPN. "We have to take 10 video games off the schedule. I feel it will be a extra aggressive and more healthy league if we performed fewer video games."

In line with SNY's Ian Begley on Sunday, Kerr additionally desires NBA stakeholders to have "a significant dialogue" about shortening the NBA common season from 82 video games.

“I’m effectively conscious fewer video games would imply much less income, which suggests everyone takes a pay lower, and I’m keen to stay my neck out and say I’m all for that as a result of I feel the standard of the product is an important factor," Kerr stated. "So, I don’t say this stuff flippantly. I say this stuff as a result of I imply them."

Corridor of Famer and former eight-time All-Star Vince Carter very a lot disagrees.

<img id="11397898" alt="" caption="Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr complains about a call during the first half of their game against the Miami Heat at Chase Center on January 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="2380" height="1587" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2257153616.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2257153616.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2257153616.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2257153616.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2257153616.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2257153616.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2257153616.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> "I simply really feel like you need to be artistic with the way you relaxation guys," Carter stated on NBC Sports activities' pregame broadcast alongside fellow Corridor of Famers Carmelo Anthony and Tracy McGrady earlier than Golden State misplaced to the New York Knicks on Sunday. "I requested you guys that query. I used to be like, 'Did you ever take into consideration not taking part in or chopping the season brief?' All of us stated no. That is simply type of what it was. You found out find out how to deal with your physique."

Carter continued, "We loved taking part in the sport, and we discovered methods, whether or not it is you chop the minutes within the sport, or you do not follow. You in the reduction of on follow. I simply suppose this can be a nice sport. This sport has been good to us. Enjoying 80-plus video games, that is what comes with taking part in within the NBA. Once you work your butt off to get right here, that is what comes with it. So, why are we altering the format of what has been nice for thus a few years?"

In line with Begley, Kerr cited information exhibiting elevated pace and distance run by gamers, in addition to soft-tissue accidents.

Kerr is not on an island. The NBA's persistent tanking downside has raised questions as as to whether an 82-game season remains to be possible. Tom Haberstroh wrote about 82 video games being "a factor of the previous" all the best way again in April 2017.