It seems so long ago, but there was a moment in time when signs pointed to Steve Kerr being the next coach of the New York Knicks. In 2014, Kerr was still a broadcaster, tabbed to be a potential head coach. The Knicks fired Mike Woodson and set their sights on Kerr. The Warriors then moved on from Mark Jackson, a surprise to many at the time, which opened a coaching position with Golden State.
Kerr picked the Warriors over the Knicks and the rest is history. New York’s had three head coaches since Kerr made his decision while the Warriors have three championship banners.
The Knicks moved on from their lastest head coach, David Fizdale, earlier this week after a 4-18 start. James Dolan and the Knicks front office made their decision after the team suffered a 37-point home loss to the Denver Nuggets. Fizdale, who was once successful in Memphis, only lasted 104-games as the coach of New York.
Kerr backed the now-former coach of the Knicks while praising the support system he has in Golden State.
“I’m a big fan of David’s—I’ve gotten to know him pretty well over the years. He’s a hell of a coach,” Kerr told reporters in Chicago. “As we know in this business, it’s extremely fragile, and your job is dependent on a lot of things when you’re a coach in this league. Number one, probably the talent you’re able to coach—But just as importantly, is the strength of the organization and the group around you. It takes a really strong organization to help coaches and help players get through difficult times—I’m very blessed to have that around me, and not every coach does—It’s a tough league.”
Anthony Slater of The Athletic asked Kerr if he ever thinks about “what if” he took the Knicks job over the Warriors and, the coach didn’t hold back.
“If I had gone to New York, that would have been me like three years ago,” Kerr said. “I’m well aware of that, and that’s just the way it goes— I think I made the right choice,”
Steve Kerr on David Fizdale’s firing and the occasional what if, on days like today, as in: What if he took the Knicks job instead of the Warriors one? “That would’ve been me three years ago.” pic.twitter.com/W7Rrc3TTcF
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 6, 2019
The Warriors currently only have one more win than the Knicks at the moment. However, the stability and talent in Golden State provides hope, that once healthy, they’ll be back in title contention.
The Knicks will travel to Golden State with their new interim head coach, Mike Miller, Wednesday.