Warriors Notes: Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Joe Lacob

The Warriors dipped below .500 on Sunday, and Steve Kerr didn’t point fingers. He pointed at himself.

After a 136-131 loss in Portland dropped Golden State to 13-14, Kerr said plainly that he hasn’t been good enough. That included Sunday night, when Stephen Curry poured in 48 points and still watched the Warriors give up 40 in the fourth quarter.

Curry has been brilliant. The problem is everything that happens when he sits.

Golden State is scoring 118.8 points per 100 possessions with Curry on the floor. When he’s off, that number drops to 107.1, which would rank dead last in the league. Kerr acknowledged one stretch against Portland where Curry sat and Jimmy Butler didn’t touch the ball for four straight possessions.

“That’s on me,” Kerr told reporters. “But it’s also on our players to understand. We have to find a way to make sure we’re playing through Jimmy.”

Butler Usage Still a Question

Butler’s role continues to be a talking point. He’s averaging just 11.4 shot attempts per game, well below his career norm. Draymond Green said the responsibility cuts both ways.

Green said he needs to be more aware of when Butler hasn’t touched the ball and help get him involved, via Nick Friedell of The Athletic. He also said Butler has to be more aggressive and demand the ball when the moment calls for it.

Lacob Weighs In

Frustration has reached the top. Warriors owner Joe Lacob responded to a fan email criticizing the team and Butler’s usage with a blunt message that later surfaced publicly.

“You can’t be as frustrated as me,” Lacob wrote, adding that Butler is not the problem, via Alex Simon of SFGate.

Asked about Lacob referencing “coaches’ desires regarding players,” Kerr brushed it off.

“We’re all frustrated,” Kerr said. “Joe supports me one hundred percent. I support him. Our continuity is one of our strengths.”

Right now, though, continuity isn’t translating to wins. And even with Curry playing at an elite level, the Warriors are still searching for answers.