Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr believes a shorter NBA season would benefit both teams and their fans.
Speaking Friday ahead of the Warriors' matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, Kerr sympathized with fans who spend money to attend a game only to have players sit out.
"The league is trying to address it by softening the schedule some," Kerr said, according to Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. "I think about it all the time: People are spending good money to see a team, and then someone doesn't play? That's not something I'm ignorant to. I know that is painful. We've had a lot of discussions with fans over the years who have been in that situation.
"But, ultimately, the player's health is the No. 1 factor in our team's success and even in our fans' satisfaction in the long run because we want to keep guys healthy throughout the season."
If Kerr had his way, the regular season would be cut from 82 games to 65.
"Ideally, it's a 65-game season and everybody plays every night. But good luck getting that passed. Maybe 70," he said.
The Warriors were without Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins for Friday's game, which was the second night of a back-to-back for the team. They fell 114-105 to the Pelicans and have now lost five straight.