There’s been plenty of talk about how old the Warriors are getting, and that concern isn’t going away any time soon.
Despite the star power in Golden State’s lineup, with names like Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Al Horford all bringing massive experience to the court.
But those players are all well into their 30s. The club actually has four starters who are 35 or older. It’s a lot of years, a lot of wear and tear on those legs.
Al Horford has acknowledged that age is something the team can’t ignore, but head coach Steve Kerr already has a plan in place to manage minutes and keep his veterans fresh as the season goes on.
Steve Kerr says he’s planning to rest Warriors starters during the season
There’s no doubt about the talent on this roster. But Steve Kerr also understands just how much basketball these players have played over their careers. So, what’s his plan to keep them fit and firing?
Speaking on 95.7 The Game, Kerr said: “They are all incredible players, but they got a lot of mileage on them. We gotta collaborate with them and the performance staff and make sure we put them in the best position possible to maintain that level.”
Kerr didn’t stop there, adding that his plan will involve resting starters during certain games throughout the regular season.
“It is a little tricky because we have to comply with the league and the rules they have for stars — back-to-back rules, National TV rules,” he explained.
If you pair that with what looks like a thin supporting cast behind Curry, Golden State could find it hard to lock in a top-six spot in what’s always a tough Western Conference.
Warriors’ performance team tackling tough schedules
Across an 82-game season, some stretches are more difficult than others, whether due to long road trips or back-to-back fixtures.
Kerr pointed out that the team’s performance staff is already working on plans to manage those demanding parts of the schedule.
“Certain stretches of the schedule get more difficult, whether because of players being banged up or because of travel.”
“Sometimes we’ll have like a four-game trip back east, come back home, play one game, then go back out on the road,” Kerr continued.
READ MORE: Steph Curry reveals which two NBA players he enjoyed watching more than Michael Jordan
Kerr wrapped up by saying: “Then our performance team is like our players are way more vulnerable because of the schedule. So we have people all over that.”
The Warriors’ attention now shifts to their season opener against longtime rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
