Here’s a shocking revelation that’s bound to stir up some debate: Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr recently found himself backpedaling after making some eyebrow-raising comments about star player Kristaps Porzingis’ health. But here’s where it gets controversial—Kerr initially dismissed Porzingis’ diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) as “misinformation” during a radio interview, only to later admit he had no business speaking on the matter. Let’s break it down.
On Friday, Kerr appeared on 95.7 FM and claimed that Porzingis’ recent absence from games wasn’t related to POTS, a nervous system disorder that can cause rapid heartbeat and other symptoms when standing. He even cited a conversation with Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh, a former colleague and “good friend,” who allegedly told him the POTS diagnosis was false. Kerr’s exact words? “That was some misinformation that was out there.” And this is the part most people miss—Kerr’s comments not only contradicted Porzingis’ own statements to The Athletic last year but also raised questions about the coach’s authority to speak on such a complex medical issue.
By Saturday, Kerr was singing a different tune. Before the Warriors’ game against the Lakers, he admitted, “It was a stupid mistake by me to talk about something I’m not qualified to talk about.” He clarified that Porzingis’ illness was a “medical issue way beyond my capabilities of explaining” and expressed regret for even attempting to discuss it. This sudden reversal highlights the delicate balance between transparency and responsibility, especially when it comes to players’ health.
Porzingis, who stands at 7-foot-2, has had a tumultuous career, playing just 42 games last season with the Celtics due in part to POTS. Since joining the Warriors, he’s been limited to only 17 minutes in one game, and his recent absence marked his third consecutive missed game due to an illness described as contagious and dehydrating. Kerr noted that Porzingis returned to practice on Friday and was feeling better, but his status for Monday’s game against the Clippers remains uncertain.
Here’s the bold question for you: Should coaches like Kerr refrain from commenting on players’ medical conditions altogether, or is there value in their attempts to provide updates, even if they risk spreading misinformation? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments. One thing’s for sure—this situation serves as a reminder that when it comes to health, it’s always best to leave the explanations to the professionals.
