Warriors’ roster puzzle eerily similar to Spurs’ historic dynasty – NBC Sports

SAN FRANCISCO – If a picture speaks a thousand words, then Moses Moody and Warriors coach Steve Kerr sitting down, one chair in between them, for a talk during practice the day before playing the Kings can serve as the perfect example for the reality that Kerr again is about to face. 

Kerr took complete responsibility the next day for a late-game decision that had fans, writers, pundits, analysts and social media up in arms for a puzzling decision on a night where the Warriors carried a 17-point halftime lead, were up by as many as 24 points and lost 124-123 to their budding Northern California rivals in Sacramento.

Despite Moody scoring all 11 of his points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting in the fourth quarter, making both of his 3-pointers and seeing two made shots called off, the 21-year-old watched the final four-and-a-half minutes from the sidelines. His 3-pointer 30 seconds prior gave the Warriors a 116-114 lead. 

With Andrew Wiggins (right finger contusion) and Chris Paul (left lower leg nerve contusion) expected to return Wednesday night after missing the Warriors’ last two games, Kerr again finds himself in a difficult roster and rotation situation, one that might require some tough conversations. 

“Different times, different situations. He does a good job of communicating with guys throughout the year rather than just sitting there on the side like, all right I’m chopping it up with you,” Moody said Tuesday when asked about Kerr’s communication of who’s in and out of the rotation. “So it might come up in a conversation like that, you know, might accidentally get pushed back a while or whatever, but I mean, they do a good job of communication.” 

The Warriors’ loss to the Kings was supposed to finally be a glimpse of who they are when they have their full squad. Draymond Green had just returned from a five-game suspension. Gary Payton II returned the game before after missing three from a left ankle issue. Moody wasn’t even supposed to play in Sacramento at all. He was out of the rotation going into the night. 

So was rookie first-round draft pick Brandin Podziemski, who did not play in the loss. Injuries during the game to Paul and Payton forced Kerr’s hand with Moody, and Podziemski also has taken advantage of open doors the last two games, two of which might be fully shut as soon as Wednesday night while the Warriors wait for Payton’s return from a strained right calf following his Thursday re-evaluation. 

Depth is what Kerr and the Warriors turned to as one of their biggest positives entering the season. Now, it’s up to him and his coaching staff to ensure the advantage doesn’t sway to being a negative. Kerr wants more consistency; he wants a more set rotation of eight, nine, or maybe 10 players. But not 11, 12, or 13 – even if he feels he has that many capable NBA players.

It might truly be time for the Warriors to really take a page from the book of Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio…