The Golden State Warriors have exited the NBA playoffs at the Conference semi-finals stages, losing in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, coach Steve Kerr still thinks there is a bright future ahead.
While he admitted that the Warriors weren’t good enough this season, he pointed to the quality of the leading trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
“This is not a championship team because, if we were, we’d be moving on,” Kerr admitted after the 122-101 Game 6 loss in Los Angeles.
“You can look at the year in total and see all the ups and downs, and there was all kinds of stuff that went on and adversity that hit, but our group stayed together and competed till the end and made a pretty good run.
“Draymond, Klay and Steph, our core guys, have still got plenty left to offer, they’ve still got plenty left in the tank
“I thought they all had great seasons. It may not have ended on a high note, but all three guys are still high-level players.
“I still feel like this team has championship potential. We didn’t get there this year, but it’s not like this is the end of the road.
“The organisation has some decisions to make, and we’ll get to that point.”
Steph Curry’s post-game quotes after the Lakers defeat
Stat man Steph Curry echoed that sentiment, accepting that they weren’t good enough this year but remaining optimistic.
“You’re disappointed, king of shellshocked that it’s over,” he said in the post-game press conference.
“It’s a tough way for the season to end, unfamiliar territory.
“I’m proud of the fight that we had, but the Lakers played amazing all series. You’ve got to give them credit.
“For us, it’s an opportunity to take stock of where we’re at.
“We’ll learn the lessons learned this year and put them into next year.
“I don’t know what the roster will look like, but I have a lot of confidence in everybody.”
