Tag: Kerr

Do it for the Bay: Warriors coach Steve Kerr delivers Super Bowl prediction

“Go Niners.”

While the San Francisco 49ers were prepping for the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Golden State Warriors hosted Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns in a primetime battle at San Francisco’s Chase Center.

Before the game, Kerr showed support for the 49ers. The Warriors coach wore a red 49ers quarter zip in front of the media at the pregame press conference on Saturday.

When asked if he has a Super Bowl prediction, the four-time NBA champion coach didn’t hesitate to deliver. Kerr quickly pointed to the 49ers emblem on his quarter-zip, saying, “Right here, go Niners.”

Via @warriors on Twitter:

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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Steve Kerr congratulates Steve Nash for being named the next Brooklyn Nets head coach

After Steve Nash was named the next head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, Steve Kerr chimed in on Twitter with a congratulations message.

After Kevin Durant signed with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2019 offseason, another member of the Golden State Warriors organization landed in the borough of New York. On Thursday, the Nets announced the hiring of Steve Nash for their vacant head coaching position.

Prior to joining Durant in Brooklyn, Nash spent the last five seasons with the Warriors as a player development consultant. Nash was often seen at Golden State’s practices working with players — including Durant.

Anthony Slater of The Athletic shared a pair of videos from the past that feature Nash working with Durant at the Warriors practice facility.

Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:

 

During his 18 season run at point guard in the association, Nash earned eight bids to the All-Star game and two Most Valuable Player awards. The 46-year-old first-time head coach will now lead the Nets with Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Following the announcement, Steve Kerr chimed in on Twitter with a message for the Nets’ new head coach. Kerr congratulated and thanked Nash for his work with the Warriors.

Via @SteveKerr on Twitter:

 

The Nets’ first trip to the Bay Area during the 2020-21 season will now serve as a reunion for Durant and his coach.

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Steve Kerr says Klay Thompson was ‘draining shots from everywhere’ in recent workout

After recently watching Klay Thompson workout, Steve Kerr said the sharpshooting wing was ‘draining shots’ from all over the court.

Klay Thompson returning to the floor healthy is a key box for the Golden State Warriors to mark on their offseason checklist.

Thompson hasn’t hit the court since suffering a knee injury in game six of the 2019 NBA Finals. However, the Splash Brother is on his way to returning to the floor. Fortunately for the Warriors, most of the news surrounding Thompson’s ACL rehab has been positive.

In an interview with David Aldridge and Wosny Lambre on The Athletic’s Hoop Adjacent Podcast, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr said he recently watched Thompson on the court in Southern California. Kerr confirmed the Golden State sharpshooter is ready to get back on the floor.

Via The Athletic’s Hoop Adjacent Podcast:

Klay’s [Thompson] doing great, he’s basically ready to go. It’s been a little over a year now since the injury. I saw him about two weeks ago — I went to Orange County, where he lives and works out. I basically took a day and spent some time with him and watched him workout. One of our assistant coaches came down for the week to train him. We got together, and it was great to see him because he loves the game so much, he loves to play and he’s missed it so much. He looked great. He was in really good shape and draining shots from everywhere like the Klay we know and love. He’s ready to go, it’s just we don’t know when basketball will be played, but Klay will be ready.

Thompson was recently spotted on the court in Southern California with NFL quarterbacks Josh Allen, Sam Darnold and Kyle Allen. Prior to his shooting drill with a trio of NFL signal-callers, the five-time All-Star shared a video of himself on Instagram working out alongside his dog Rocco.

With the Warriors extended offseason just getting underway, Thompson will have to wait a little longer before making his much-anticipated return to Golden State’s starting lineup.

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Steve Kerr joins NBCA committee on racial injustice and reform

Steve Kerr is joining others from the National Basketball Coaches Association to form a committee on racial injustice and reform.

Following the death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, many across the NBA community are speaking out for change. The National Basketball Coaches Association has come together to construct a new committee on racial injustice and reform to “pursue solutions within NBA cities,” according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Among those involved is Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. The three-time Golden State champion coach has been active and outspoken on social media since Floyd’s death.

Via @SteveKerr on Twitter:

Alongside Kerr, San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich, Atlanta’s Lloyd Pierce, Los Angeles Clippers’ Doc Rivers, Cleveland’s JB Bickerstaff and Utah’s Quin Snyder, David Fizdale and Stan Van Gundy have been chosen to form the committee.

According to Wojnarowski, After the NBA’s 30 head coaches participated in a Zoom conference call over the weekend, the coaches plan to meet again to “discuss how they can begin immediate action items across the league’s cities.”

Via @wojespn on Twitter:

On Monday, the NBCA released a statement on the death of Floyd, vowing to use their platform and power to affect change. Current and former head coaches, along with assistants from around the league signed the statement.

Via @NBA_Coaches on Twitter:

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Donovan Mitchell laughs at Steve Kerr’s parade speech during ‘The Last Dance’

Donovan Mitchell got a laugh from Steve Kerr during episode nine of “The Last Dance.”

After spending five seasons alongside Michael Jordan in Chicago, Steve Kerr has been a featured character in the Bulls 10-part documentary series.

In a previous chapter, Kerr’s famous practice altercation with Jordan was a topic of conversation. In episode nine of “The Last Dance,” the Golden State Warriors head coach got a hefty slice of screentime. Prior to the documentary series finale, Kerr’s game-winning shot from the 1997 NBA Finals was thrust into the spotlight.

With only seconds remaining, the Bulls were tied with the Utah Jazz in game-six of the Finals. Instead of adding another game-winning shot to his resume, Jordan found Kerr at the top of the key for an open jumper.

Kerr drilled the eventual final shot of the game to give Chicago an 88-86 lead. Utah turned the ball over on the final possession of the contest to seal Jordan’s fifth title.

When the Bulls returned to Chicago, Kerr delivered a memorable speech at the championship parade. The former player turned Golden State coach jokingly said he had to bail Jordan out.

After watching The Last Dance, Donovan Mitchell chimed in on Twitter to give his thoughts on Kerr’s speech. The Utah Jazz All-Star got a laugh out of Kerr’s parade performance.

Via @spidadmitchell on Twitter.

Watch Kerr’s speech from the 1997 championship parade in Chicago via YouTube:

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Warriors rookie salutes Steve Kerr’s 1997 NBA Finals game-winning jumper during ‘The Last Dance’

Eric Paschall chimed in on Twitter after Steve Kerr’s game-winning shot from the 1997 NBA Finals was the focus of attention in “The Last Dance” documentary.

In episode eight of “The Last Dance,” Steve Kerr’s most significant moment as a member of the Chicago Bulls was the focus of attention. While Michael Jordan was the centerpiece of Chicago’s championship dynasty, it was Golden State’s head coach who sealed The Bulls’ fate in 1997.

With 28 seconds remaining in game six of the 1997 NBA Finals, the Bulls had the ball with the game locked at 86 against the Utah Jazz. Although Jordan had a long resume of game-winning shots, the five-time Most Valuable Player dished the ball to Kerr with six seconds remaining.

Kerr drilled a top of the key jumper for the last shot of the game to give the Bulls an 88-86 lead. The Jazz turned over the final possession, sealing Chicago’s fifth championship.

After Kerr’s iconic shot was documented in the Jordan-era film, one Warriors rookie went to social media to salute his coach’s memorable moment. Eric Paschall tweeted, “big shot coach!!” 

Via @epaschall on Twitter: 

In a previous episode, Paschall chimed in on social media to share his thoughts when Kerr’s famous practice altercation with Jordan was put under the spotlight. 

Along with Kerr’s game-winner in 1997, the final two chapters of The Last Dance covered Jordan’s bout with Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers, and Chicago’s back-to-back battles with the Utah Jazz.

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Steve Kerr: Steph Curry’s most underrated quality is just how competitive he is

Steve Kerr has high praise for Stephen Curry, the competitor.

Over the past two weeks, basketball fans around the world have had the opportunity to learn more about Michael Jordan. ESPN’s 30 for 30 “The Last Dance” chronicles the 1990s Chicago Bulls teams in a 10-part documentary series.

From battling “The Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons, to game winners and intense practices with his teammates, the mystique of Jordan’s competitive drive has been a common theme throughout the first four chapters in the documentary.

In the middle of most of it is the Golden State Warriors head coach. After spending five seasons alongside Jordan, Steve Kerr is featured throughout the series.

With stories of fierce competition becoming a trending topic following “The Last Dance,” Kerr was asked about Stephen Curry, the competitor.

On the “Runnin’ Plays” podcast with Kerith Burke and Logan Murdock of NBC Sports Bay Area, Kerr praised the Warriors point guard.

Via NBC Sports Bay Area:

I think it’s probably Steph’s [Curry] most underrated quality is just how competitive he is, and I think it’s underrated because of just his physical stature and the way he looks. He’s so different from your average NBA star. Most NBA stars they’re physically imposing and here’s Steph — he looks like he’s just another guy and then he makes everything looks so easy with his game.

So, you don’t really see the fire, that’s in him. But, you feel it. And when you coach him, or you play with him, you understand how desperately he wants to win. You can see it his work ethic every day. You can see it in his eyes and he is a fierce, fierce competitor, but he’s unique to himself. I think that’s one of the things that makes Steph special is that he has this incredibly rare combination of brash confidence and humility and a fierce competitive desire that is sort of disguised by this unbelievably joyful way of playing basketball.

There’s never been anybody with this kind of combination. And so I think that’s one of the reasons the fans love them so much.

Curry’s drive for competition has been put on hold throughout the 2019-20 season.

The two-time Most Valuable Player has missed 60 games due to a broken hand injury he suffered against the Phoenix Suns. Curry’s return was put on hold after one game when the NBA season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

If the NBA season returns, the six-time All-Star will have 17 games remaining to close out the 2019-20 calendar.

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Steve Kerr: ‘It feels like the end of the season’ for the Golden State Warriors

With 17 games remaining, Steve Kerr says “it feels like the end of the season” for the Golden State Warriors.

After no hoops on the calendar since March 11, the league is taking its first steps in getting players back in the gym. In states with modified shelter-in-place restrictions, NBA practice facilities will start to reopen for individual player work on May 8.

Teams and players will have to follow a set of guidelines if they plan to return to the practice court. Only four players are allowed in the facility at one time, no members of the coaching staff will be in attendance and group work is still prohibited.

Regardless of practice facility doors getting unlocked, The Golden State Warriors may already be looking to the offseason. According to Steve Kerr, it already feels like the end of the season for the Warriors.

In a conference call with Jennifer Azzi and Warriors President Rick Welts, Kerr spoke about the future of Golden State’s 2019-20 season.

It’s different for us because we were down to 17 games, but we were out of the playoffs. It feels like the end of the season for our team — it just does. We don’t know anything officially. There’s still a chance the league could ask us to come back and play some games, but given what we’ve been through this season with all the injuries and the tough record, it’s been more of the case of — we’re staying in touch with guys, but everybody is just sort of assuming that this is kind of it. We’re not going to be involved much anymore.

Although there are still 17 games remaining on the schedule, the Warriors are the only team in the NBA that’s already been eliminated from the playoff picture. Instead of preparing for another run at the Finals, Golden State’s 15-50 record has set them up to be on the clock early in the NBA draft.

With a flurry of injuries and a top lottery selection to prepare for, getting a headstart on the offseason could be a silver lining ending to the Warriors’ lost year.

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Steve Kerr credits his experience with the Bulls for helping pave the way for the rest of his career

Steve Kerr credits his experience with the Bulls for helping pave the way for the rest of his career.

Although he didn’t get a heavy dosage of screen time in the debut chapters, Steve Kerr is slated to play a featured character in ESPN’s “The Last Dance.” The first two episodes focused on Michael Jordan’s rise at North Carolina, Scottie Pippin’s contract and Jerry Krause.

After the premiere, Golden State’s coach joined Scott Van Pelt to react to the ESPN’s 30-for-30 production. Kerr spoke about Krause, Pippin and even Dennis Rodman.

Kerr’s five-year experience alongside Jordan and the Bulls played a significant role throughout his future. At the core of all his success, the guard turned coach credits his time in Chicago for setting him on the right path.

Via @StanfordSteve82 on Twitter:

I feel like every time I see Michael Jordan or Scottie Pippin or Phil Jackson, I think back to that experience and it kind of paved the way for the rest of my career, both as a player and as a broadcaster and as a coach. I know how fortunate I was to be apart of that run, just like all of us do. That was a great group of guys, a very mature group, and we all knew just how lucky we were, and we made the most of it.

After winning three times with Jordan in Chicago, Kerr went on to have a flourishing basketball career at nearly every stop. With the San Antonio Spurs, Kerr won a pair of titles with Tim Duncan and David Robinson.

After stints as a broadcaster and executive with the Phoenix Suns, Kerr was hired to coach Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. A trio of championship banners later, the rest is history.

The next installment of “The Last Dance” is scheduled to air on Sunday on ESPN.

Steve Kerr and Seattle Seahawks’ Pete Carroll debut new coaching and leadership podcast

A pair of championship coaches debut new podcast, “Flying Coach.”

With no sports being on the calendar due to the coronavirus pandemic, there’s been a burst of unique content being produced by players and coaches. We’ve seen interactive Q&A segments with fans, live H-O-R-S-E competitions and video game tournaments.

Now, it’s Steve Kerr’s turn. The Golden State Warriors coach is linking up with Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks for the “Flying Coach” podcast. Between Kerr and Carroll, the pair has combined for 11 championships from the college and professional level.

Before winning Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos with the Seahawks, Carroll won five Pac-10 championships and two national titles as the leader of the USC Trojans.

Kerr, with eight rings of his own, will join Carroll to discuss coaching philosophies, leadership and why they became coaches. According to The Ringer, the podcast will raise money for COVID-19 relief.

Check out a snippet of episode one below via The Ringer on Twitter:

The first episode of “Flying Coach” is available on Apple and Spotify podcasting platforms.

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