Backlash After Warriors’ Loss to Raptors: Steve Kerr Faces Criticism on Social Media
The Golden State Warriors’ 112-107 loss to the Toronto Raptors on January 13, 2024, has set off a wave of criticism directed at head coach Steve Kerr, especially on social media platforms where NBA fans are quick to voice their frustrations. The Warriors, led by the scoring prowess of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, failed to execute down the stretch in a tightly contested game, leading many to point fingers at Kerr for the team’s inability to close out the victory.
A Disappointing Performance Against the Raptors
The Warriors entered the game against the Raptors with high expectations, having been a championship contender for nearly a decade. However, despite Curry’s incredible 34-point performance and Thompson’s solid 27 points, Golden State was unable to secure the win. Toronto’s Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam led the way for the Raptors, each contributing significantly on both ends of the floor.
While the game was competitive throughout, the Warriors’ struggles in the fourth quarter, particularly their inability to execute in clutch moments, became the focal point. Golden State was plagued by turnovers, missed shot attempts, and defensive lapses. Fans and analysts quickly pointed out that the team’s downfall was not just on the players but also on the coaching staff, specifically Steve Kerr.
The loss was particularly frustrating for Warriors fans, as they had been hoping for a more dominant performance from a team that has been one of the most successful franchises in recent years. The critique of Kerr on social media stemmed from several aspects of the game, ranging from his in-game decisions to his rotations and the lack of adjustments.
The Social Media Backlash: Fans and Analysts Weigh In
In-game Decisions: A Common Criticism
One of the most common criticisms leveled at Kerr following the game was his decision-making during crunch time. The Warriors, down by a small margin in the final minutes, seemed disjointed offensively. Kerr’s decision to keep Draymond Green in the game for long stretches, despite his limited offensive contribution, raised eyebrows. Green finished with just 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting, and many felt that Kerr should have turned to other offensive weapons earlier in the game.
Some fans expressed their frustration on Twitter, questioning Kerr’s strategy and the way he handled the late-game situation.
@BasketballGuru98 tweeted:
“Kerr’s inability to make the right calls in the final 5 minutes is so frustrating. The offense just wasn’t flowing, and Draymond Green isn’t the answer in clutch time. Why wasn’t Poole on the floor more? This is on Kerr.”
Jordan Poole, the Warriors’ dynamic guard, finished the game with just 11 points and played only 24 minutes. While Poole has been known to be a spark off the bench, Kerr didn’t seem to trust him in critical moments, opting instead for the more experienced but less effective Green.
Others also took to social media to express disappointment over Kerr’s failure to make tactical adjustments during key moments of the game. The Warriors had multiple opportunities to score in the paint, but Kerr didn’t seem to adjust the offense to exploit the Raptors’ defense.
@WarriorsNation34 commented:
“The Warriors had so many opportunities to go inside and attack the rim in the 4th quarter. Kerr kept running the same perimeter offense even when it was clear it wasn’t working. It’s like he forgot the game plan.”
Defensive Strategy: A Lack of Adjustments
Another source of backlash stemmed from the Warriors’ defensive approach. The Raptors’ offense, led by Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam, found success in attacking the Warriors’ defense, particularly exploiting mismatches. While Golden State’s defense has been an issue all season, Kerr’s failure to make adjustments in defending pick-and-roll plays, as well as limiting the impact of Toronto’s primary scorers, raised questions.
Siakam finished with 21 points and 7 rebounds, and VanVleet added 27 points and 10 assists. Both players were able to operate with relative ease in the final quarter, and many fans felt Kerr didn’t do enough to disrupt their rhythm.
@NBAGuru23 wrote:
“Kerr doesn’t know what to do when teams switch to pick-and-roll offense. Toronto just kept getting easy shots all game. This is the stuff we saw in last year’s Finals too.”
The Warriors have been historically known for their switch-heavy defensive schemes under Kerr, but on this night, Toronto was able to exploit mismatches, especially in pick-and-roll situations involving Jakob Poeltl and Fred VanVleet. Kerr’s failure to adjust on the fly, particularly with his rotations and matchups, left many fans questioning his ability to adapt in close games.
Rotations and Player Usage: The Kerr Approach Under Fire
A major point of contention on social media was Steve Kerr’s use (or lack thereof) of his bench players. While Curry and Thompson received the bulk of the minutes, and understandably so, Kerr was criticized for relying too heavily on veterans like Green and Andre Iguodala in key moments. The Warriors have an abundance of talent on their roster, but Kerr’s rotations seemed to freeze out younger players who could have provided a spark.
Poole’s lack of involvement in the fourth quarter was one of the most discussed topics. The Warriors’ offense had stalled, and Kerr stuck with the same lineup for long stretches of the final period. Some fans felt that Poole, who had been one of the Warriors’ most consistent scorers this season, should have been given more opportunities to help Curry generate offense.
@GSW_Fanatics tweeted:
“Poole can give the offense a spark but Kerr just refuses to give him more responsibility in close games. This has been an issue for too long. He’s gotta trust the younger players more.”
Meanwhile, other fans were frustrated by Kerr’s continued reliance on the aging Iguodala, who only played 12 minutes but struggled in the limited time he had on the court.
@Hoops4Life posted:
“Why is Andre Iguodala still getting minutes over Moses Moody? This coaching is getting stale.”
There were also complaints about Kerr’s lineup decisions in the first half, where he alternated between small-ball lineups and larger units without finding much success. The team’s offensive flow was disrupted throughout the game, and fans on social media believed Kerr’s rotations contributed to the Warriors’ inability to find rhythm.
The Reactions from NBA Analysts
Prominent NBA analysts also took to social media to critique Kerr’s decisions. While most acknowledged that the Warriors had struggled with injuries and lineup consistency, many felt that Kerr’s in-game management had been a consistent issue throughout the season.
Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania):
“The Warriors need to figure out their defensive identity and coaching rotations. Steve Kerr is one of the best in the business, but even great coaches can’t avoid blame when things aren’t clicking.”
Former NBA player and analyst J.J. Redick also weighed in, praising the Raptors for executing well down the stretch but pointing out the Warriors’ lack of adjustment in the fourth quarter.
J.J. Redick (@jj_redick):
“The Raptors were aggressive late, but the Warriors never adjusted. Toronto kept running the same plays with VanVleet and Siakam, and Golden State couldn’t stop them. Kerr should’ve been more aggressive with defensive matchups in the final 3 minutes.”
Steve Kerr Responds to Backlash
After the game, Steve Kerr took to the podium to address the loss and the criticism that had flooded social media. He acknowledged that the Warriors’ struggles in the fourth quarter were a team issue, and while he took responsibility for his decisions, he also emphasized that the blame shouldn’t fall solely on his shoulders.
“We didn’t execute well in the fourth, and that starts with me,” Kerr said. “I have to make sure we’re ready for those moments. I trust our players to make the right decisions, but we didn’t get it done tonight. It’s part of coaching—adjusting, reacting to what the other team is doing—and we didn’t do that enough tonight.”
Kerr also commented on the bench usage, saying that he felt he needed more from certain players to close out the game but didn’t feel the rotations were a deciding factor in the loss. “Poole is a fantastic player, and he’s been a big part of our offense this season. But tonight, the guys on the floor were the ones who had the momentum, and I stuck with them. That’s my decision as a coach.”
The Future of the Warriors and Kerr’s Leadership
Despite the immediate backlash, it’s important to note that Steve Kerr’s tenure as head coach of the Golden State Warriors has been marked by incredible success. The Warriors have won four NBA championships under his leadership, and his coaching philosophy has shaped the team into one of the most efficient offensive units in league history.
However, with the Warriors’ window to contend shrinking as key players age, the pressure on Kerr to deliver another title is only growing. Critics on social media will continue to scrutinize his every move, especially in tight games where coaching adjustments can make or break a team’s performance. As the season progresses, Kerr will need to fine-tune his rotations, adapt his strategies, and guide the Warriors through what has already been a turbulent campaign.
The backlash after the Raptors loss is a reminder that in the NBA, no coach is immune from criticism, regardless of past accomplishments. For Kerr and the Warriors, it’s a moment of reflection and growth as they aim to bounce back and make another deep playoff run.
As for the social media backlash, one thing is certain: it’s unlikely to subside anytime soon, especially if the Warriors continue to struggle in similar situations. Whether Kerr can weather the storm will depend on his ability to adjust and bring his team back to championship form.
