Editor’s note: Kerith Burke, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Warriors reporter, will take you inside the Dubs as only she can each Friday with the Ask Kerith Mailbag. Send her a question on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #askKerith.

Tip-Off

The day Kobe Bryant died, my husband and I were hiking. We were in and out of cell service at Mt. Tam. We reached Bootjack campground when the first news alert pinged his phone. It was from BBC News. Kobe Bryant was dead in a helicopter crash.

Kobe was a global figure. He’s in the canon of athletes who only need one name. Kobe. Tiger. Serena. LeBron. We paused at the campground and noticed a woman checking her phone with a concerned look on her face. “Kobe?” I called out. She nodded.

We kept hiking. Patches of service kept the bad news rolling in like punches. His daughter was on the flight. Nine people were on the helicopter.

I don’t have any personal moments with Kobe. I was in a room with him once, during his farewell season. That’s it. But it’s telling to remember even that. He was Kobe. He had gravity. You knew when he was in the room because a change in the air announced his presence.

Game on!

@MuranakaRyota In your opinion, should Steph Curry wait until next season to play alongside Russell? #askKerith

No. Steph should play when the medical staff clears him, and that likely will be this season. His re-evaluation date is tomorrow. We’ll get more information about his progress rehabilitating a broken left hand, and a clearer picture regarding his return date.

Steph getting time to play this season is worthwhile on a few fronts. First, he’s bored. Let him get back into his routine. Let him build chemistry with the new players. Second, it benefits everyone when Steph is on the court. His game elevates others. Third, Steph can get back to game speed for the Olympics, assuming he’ll play in Tokyo. He expressed his desire to be an Olympian at the beginning of the season.

If Steph can play, he’ll play. No waiting for next season.

@SunsTJisAmish I’d imagine Chriss is the starting center going forward or it’s by committee?

With Kevon Looney’s situation uncertain (as in, how much playing time will he have this season) and Willie Cauley-Stein off to Dallas, Marquese Chriss is the No. 1 center option. Omari Spellman and Draymond Green will see some time there too.

Steve Kerr called it a unique situation that the Warriors’ starting center is a two-way player, but that’s the kind of season it has been.

@toogr8fltm When will they bring back Smailagic to fill some of WCS minutes?

The Warriors do hybrid things with their 4 and 5 spots, so Alen Smailagic might be around to fill general “big man” minutes. It’s not ideal for Smiley to bang around with the league’s top centers before he’s ready, and at age 19 when he’s raw and slender, the Warriors don’t want him out of his depth.

For now, the G League is the best place for Smiley when the Warriors have enough healthy bodies. Steve Kerr hopes that Kevon Looney plays at some point on this road trip, and that fact that Kevon is available at all is a positive sign.

@cbrowell What does Jordan Poole see as his biggest growth achievement at this point in the season?

I asked Jordan your question off to the side, and he said he’s proudest that he has stayed mentally even-keeled this season. “Not too high, not too low,” he said. Rookie seasons are not easy, and Jordan added, “Life either prepares ... or doesn’t prepare you for this. I’ve been in situations way worse than going to the G League or not playing in games.”

Jordan’s player development coach Chris DeMarco told me more. He said he’s seeing the games slow down for Jordan, and that change started around Christmas.

“There’s so much involved with being a rookie,” DeMarco explained, “especially if you weren’t a four-year guy in college. He’s only 20 years old. A lot is thrown at you.”

DeMarco sees improvement on defense. Jordan is getting a better grasp of the rotations, how important it is to box out, and transition defense.

He also reminded Jordan that Steph, Klay, and Draymond make mistakes. It’s impossible not to. It’s how you recover from those mistakes and how much effort you’re putting in.

@uskenerley4 #AskKerith Could you see another sign and trade to reunite the starting five from a year ago? Seems by his actions and attitude over the last few weeks KD may be having buyers remorse?

I’m not sure what actions or attitudes you’re referring to when it comes to Kevin Durant. He’s mostly been out of sight as he continues his Achilles rehab with the Nets. When it comes to reunions -- and I know fans were excited to see Andrew Bogut come back for last season’s playoff run -- I don’t see the Dubs and KD having one.

KD spent three wildly successful seasons with Golden State. Then he moved on. I think he had the urge for a new scene, not because something happened, but because he strikes me as a wandering soul. It was a change for change’s sake as he strives to keep challenging his comfort zone. My feeling is he simply needed a shakeup.

While the Warriors embraced KD and had a historic run with him, emotionally the team has moved past that relationship. The idea that repeating the same starting five could result in the same championship outcome doesn’t take into consideration changes in chemistry, feelings, aging bodies, and new players around the team.

The Warriors don’t want the past. They want to evolve for the future. That’s the point of this season.

@shanetrey5 Do you have a favorite Kobe moment that you’d like to share? If you could learn any from the players that’d be cool too.

My favorite Kobe moment is his 81-point game in 2006 against the Raptors. I remember he sparked a comeback for the Lakers. It looked like the Raptors lost themselves in the game, forgetting it was a game rather, letting Kobe happen to them as they witnessed NBA history. Kobe was in The Zone with a capital Z.

Most of what the players have talked about is their grief and pain. Here’s what Draymond and D’Angelo, Kobe’s teammate in Los Angeles, said after the game in Philadelphia.

[RELATED: Kerr opens up on managing Chriss' two-way practice days]

High Five!

This week’s high five is for the realness in this conversation. Please watch this video if you haven’t already.

Still not over this. I sent it to my dad. We had a talk about why, once again, sticking to sports is horsecrap, and the power of having an supportive outlet to pour out grief & pain. So thankful this conversation happened, and @shaq was willing to be this open. https://t.co/2oyjaNjXrX — Kerith Burke (@KerithBurke) January 30, 2020

Follow Kerith on Twitter @KerithBurke and on Instagram @warriorskerith, and, of course, watch her on NBC Sports Bay Area’s Warriors coverage all season.