Steve Kerr to Increase Workload But Not Ready for Return to Bench

After missing the first 25 games to start the season, Steve Kerr the head coach for the Golden State Warriors is planning to increase his workload as the team is preparing for its home stand of five games starting Wednesday.

Kerr hopes to prove he is able to handle the wear and tear of an eventual return to the Warriors bench during this season.

Bob Myers the general manager for Golden State, while insisting no timetable exists for Kerr’s return said on Tuesday that Kerr is planning to become more active and vocal in practice over the upcoming two weeks as a way to test if he is ready to return full time to running the team.

Kerr suffered complications from two back surgeries during the offseason and during an interview this week he expressed optimism he could come back on a fulltime basis sometime during the regular season.

He has suffered headaches on a persistent basis as well as other symptoms since he had his first surgery that caused spinal fluid to leak.

Throughout the 24-1 start of the season for Golden State, Kerr has had a regular presence during home games and occasionally during the team’s practices and their shoot arounds.

However, he watches games from his office when he attends and has traveled only once to a regular season game in November to Los Angeles.

Kerr was away from the team the longest during their recent 13-day, seven-game road trip which ended on Saturday with the team’s first loss of the season.

Draymond Green a forward for the Warriors said following Tuesday’s practice that his coach looked much like his usual self, which supported rumors that Kerr’s condition was improving.

Kerr has confirmed that he still has the symptoms that are quite bothersome and that is what has been the trickiest part about his return.

Kerr praised Luke Walton the team’s interim coach. Walton, when picked by Kerr to run the team, did not have any previous coaching experience.

However, Kerr knew Walton’s temperament was right for the job and the respect he had from the players was an added benefit.

Kerr praised how Walton has picked up the nuances of coaching and said the former player has a great personality and feel for the profession.

Kerr added that it helps to start your coaching career 24-0 as well.

Golden State leads the Pacific division with a 24-1 record by 9 games over the second place Los Angeles Clippers. The Warriors are out front in the Western Conference by 3 ½ games over the San Antonio Spurs.