Steve Kerr And The Millenials, Er Warriors, Can’t Focus Against The Los Angeles Lakers

STAPLES CENTER, LOS ANGELES, CA — According to Psychology Today, the most common traits of millenials are as follows:

Millennials are, arguably, the most reviled generation in recent history, and armies of consultants are hustling to decipher them. Called the “Trophy Generation,” notorious for receiving prizes simply for showing up, they are thought to be entitled, narcissistic, self-promotional, coddled, opinionated, whiny, and needy, especially at work (when they’re not complaining about unemployment, that is). They seek constant feedback and immediate gratification. They multitask and can’t focus. They’re sensitive to criticism and unable to work alone. They refuse to pay their dues. Don’t even mention their (limited) verbal and writing skills.

Google’s built-in glossary lists a “millenial” as “a person reaching young adulthood around the year 2000” and, by that definition, the Golden State Warriors — as well as probably nearly every team in the NBA — is chock full of them.

Prior to the arrival of Anderson Varejao (born September 28, 1982), Leandro Barbosa (born November 28, 1982) had been the elder statesman of the Golden State Warriors, yet even he was “only” eighteen as The Year 2000 passed before him — thus, a millenial.

“I joke with Steph (Curry) all the time,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr after their embarrassing 112-95 loss to the lowly Los Angeles Lakers. “We’re millennials. This team is filled with millennials and millennials can’t focus.”

While the rest of the traits of millenials as described by Psychology Today probably don’t apply to a team blistering The Association with a win-loss record of 55-6 — although reviled by some — the “can’t focus” part certainly was evident, as the team shot just 4-for-30 from three-point range and committed 20 turnovers, while yielding a 47% field goal shooting clip to a Laker team that usually shoots just 41%.

“When we don’t play defense and we’re not hitting shots, we end up losing by twenty,” said Andrew Bogut in the locker room postgame. “If we’re playing defense and missing shots, it’s usually we’re still in games where we can fill up the basket very, very quickly.”

According to Curry, the lack of focus can even rear its ugly head during shootaround.

“He always jokes in shootaround when we’re trying to run 5-on-0 situations and stuff,” said Curry. “He’s calling out plays and somebody will ask him two seconds after he calls out a play what play we’re running. We were not very focused on getting better in how we’re supposed to play to win tonight, so guilty as charged.”

“Sometimes (Curry) jokingly asks me if he can send a text or a tweet during the game,” said Kerr. “We looked like the millennials tonight.”

Yet, really, that’s just Kerr’s fun way of coping with a very poor performance. To his credit, he did not simply blame the players.

“We weren’t ready to play,” Kerr told KGO-TV after in the hallway outside the locker room after the game. “That’s our fault the coaching staff, the players. It’s all of us. We weren’t ready and the Lakers played a great game.”

Not everyone was feeling Kerr’s self-effacing shrug as a response to the Warriors’ performance.

Said “Rocco” on Twitter:

@poormanscommish @LetsGoWarriors u got ur ass beat by the awful lakers n u joke around with reporters?? U should be blasting ur team

— Rocco (@rangerfan014) March 6, 2016

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Just eight days ago, Draymond Green had an outburst in the locker room in front of the team that was heard by reporters who happened to be standing outside in the hallway. Later, Green apologized

Any such outbursts, blastings, or motivational speeches this time?

“Eh, it was kind of one of those things where it’s like, ‘Alright, let’s go now,'” said Green. “We cut it to eight. ‘Alright, here we go.’ Just couldn’t get over the hump.”

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(Photo: @letsgowarriors Instagram account via NBAE/Getty)