Steve Kerr relishes Moses Moody’s relentless rise
Some nights the spotlight lands on the obvious. In Golden State’s controlled win over the Denver Nuggets, it wasn’t the score or the game plan that grabbed attention — it was a player quietly growing into something more. Moses Moody, 23, put together a statement night. More important: he gave coach Steve Kerr a loud confirmation of what he’s been seeing for weeks.
A turbocharged start to the year
This wasn’t just a good game. It was a manifesto. With 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, Moody was the sharpest, most impactful, most… consistent Warrior on the floor, as Kerr keeps pointing out. For the last six weeks the former Razorback has shown a level of steadiness few expected.
“Moses has been brilliant for six weeks,” Kerr said, almost amused that everyone seems to notice at once. “He’s making shots at an incredible clip. There’s real confidence, and he might be our most consistent player. He defends hard, especially on the ball, and he’s one of the best in the pick-and-roll. And he’s a great teammate.”
Golden State knows all about roller-coaster seasons, shaky rotations and mounting absences. This year’s been no different. The serious injury to Jimmy Butler, the trade-deadline fallout, then Stephen Curry heading to the injury list opened holes. Moody, often the third or fourth wing option, slid into those gaps with focus and appetite.
The rise of a player coming into his own
“I think he’s quicker and stronger,” Kerr went on, watching his player like someone who’s nurtured a talent until it sprouts. “There was that play on the baseline where he blew by a guy and dunked. You can tell he’s added substance. It’s the natural progression after three or four years: you get a bit stronger, a bit more explosive. Now he gets by opponents with an ease he didn’t have.”
It’s not just muscle or burst. Moody’s growth is mental. His game has been stripped down, simplified, honed. He cuts less for nothing, forces fewer half-baked plays, picks his spots better. He plays the right way.
“I know what I do well, and the player I’ll be next season might not be the same as today,” the guard said, clear-eyed about how an NBA career shifts. “You have to make the most of your situation. I asked the coach, with Steph out: does my role change? He said one of the things he likes most about me is my calm. My steadiness.”
The luxury of simplicity
There’s a maturity to Moody that jars for his age. No grand declarations. No demands for minutes. Just a player who knows the NBA rewards those who stay in their lane and then hit the accelerator at the right time. “I’ve been solid for a while, and it’s nice someone else says it,” he smiles when asked about Kerr’s persistent praise.
He also knows the trap of trying to do too much. “In a game, sometimes you get carried away, you want to take over. You have to calm down and remember: play your role. When a lot of guys do that, that’s how a team wins.”
Golden State hasn’t fixed all its problems. But what looked like a grey stretch has delivered a surprise payoff: a quiet, valuable young player is turning into a pillar. And Steve Kerr, like any good storyteller, can spot the first pages of a good story. Moses Moody is writing the opening chapters.
Leave a Reply