Warriors message to fans hoping to see Steph Curry: Prepare to be disappointed

SAN FRANCISCO — Brace yourselves.That’s been the theme of the message coming from the Warriors since the day they reported for training camp.The golden years are long gone, but at least Golden State’s brass has the courtesy to tell us all.Coach Steve Kerr hasn’t hidden the fact that championship expectations are pretty much out the door for the first time under his watch.

Instead, he said, success will be judged on process.One of Kerr’s best qualities is his transparency, and he dropped another truth bomb this week.A ticket to see the Warriors is not the same as a ticket to see Steph Curry.Buyer beware.“I would just come out and tell the fans out there to be mindful when you’re buying the tickets of the schedule,” Kerr told reporters after practice Thursday.

“Take a look.”Kerr’s warning was ostensibly an attempt to get ahead of the curve on a problem that has plagued the Warriors — or, well, really well-meaning ticket buyers — for years now.Fans drop big money to catch the Warriors when they come to town, and all they get to see is Curry’s fashion sensibility on the bench.Even an athlete of Curry’s caliber isn’t capable of keeping up with the NBA’s 82-game schedule at age 38, entering his 18th season.

It’s in the Warriors’ best interests to keep him fresh for the long haul.They play 15 sets of back-to-backs this season, tied for the second most in the league.It’s not just smart money to bet Curry won’t play both legs in many, if possibly any.It’s just smart basketball.“We’ve got not just Steph but multiple vets we are going to try and manage,” Kerr said.

“Because it’s the only way we can do this.”Last season, the Warriors were in a similar pickle.They had an old roster full of veterans who would need to be managed to make it through the season.

Three games in, Kerr had a decision to make: Play the long game and rest his vets on their first back-to-back of the season or chase a win against the Trail Blazer...