NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: MAVERICKS VS. WARRIORS

May 22, 2022

Steve Kerr

Golden State Warriors

Game 3: Pregame

Q. How big a factor do you think your rebounding has been in this series?

STEVE KERR: It's important. A lot of long rebounds off their threes and some offensive boards as well. So, possession game is always a big deal and rebounding is a big part of that.

Q. You've been very loyal with Damion Lee through some minutes. What do you think happened last game with his minutes and is it something you can stay in with or is there going to be a switch in the rotation?

STEVE KERR: Yeah, he had a tough stretch and we had a tough stretch during his minutes, too. He's played well for us in the playoffs. He's had some good moments and he's just got to, like the rest of the guys coming off the bench, just stay ready and you never know how things pan out.

Q. Moving Steph's defensive assignment in the second half of Game 2 from Reggie to Dorian, was that something that you had thought about or planned going into the series? Was that just something that at halftime seemed to make sense?

STEVE KERR: It was something that discussed before the series started. Every game is different and you just try to read what's happening and make your adjustments from there.

Q. Coach, in the grand scheme of things, this is probably not all that important. But the Mavericks were fined again for bench decorum or whatever they are calling it these days. Is that something, I mean, do you have a get-back coach or somebody who is in charge of that sort of thing? They think it's important for them to cheer on their guys that are playing on the court. Everybody does it a little different, I suppose?

STEVE KERR: Yeah, I've said it now the last couple days, I've got no problem with it as long as it doesn't interfere with the game. I love the energy of those guys. You can feel their togetherness. So all that's good as long as there's no interference with the action that's happening.

For us, I think for most teams, guys these days, modern NBA, seem to be more engaged on the bench and there's more theatrics and more dancing, and I think all in all, it's pretty good stuff.

I think the difference is it's tough to differentiate Dallas's assistant coaches from their players who aren't suited up and that there's like a huge mixture of people up there, which is fine, as long as what happened the other night doesn't happen where, you know, somebody with the same color shirt as us calls for the ball. I assume that was.

Q. And Steph --

STEVE KERR: And yeah, Steph threw it to him. It was a good pass. (Laughter.) He was open.

I think that's where -- that's the only problem I have with it. Everything else is great. The trash talk, the energy, I think the fans like seeing that. They want the athletes to care, our players to care, Dallas's players to care. But if it affects the game, then it goes a little far.

Q. Steph got in a little early foul trouble in Game 2 and didn't really affect you guys on the back end but one was a take foul on Luka. Do you want someone like Steph taking that, and what are your thoughts on the whole take foul thing we're going through right now period?

STEVE KERR: I don't ever want Steph taking a take foul, and I think the take foul needs to be abolished as soon as humanly possible. I coached in FIBA the last few summers and FIBA has a rule that basically eliminated it entirely. It's so penalizing when you get called for it that coaches all teach their teams, don't do it.

That's what we need to do as a league. He can't go halfway. We can't try to appease every different faction. You've just got to get rid of it, make the game better, open up the game and hopefully that's what will happen this summer.

Q. The Mavs obviously have done well here. What are your past experiences in this building with the fans?

STEVE KERR: The Mavs what?

Q. Have obviously done well here at their home court. What have your past experiences been in this building?

STEVE KERR: It's a great home court. Beautiful arena. There's always been really good energy in here. We haven't played Dallas in the playoffs until this year in my time with the Warriors. I have a good memory from my playing days playing in this building. But it's always been one of the best venues in the league to play in.