Steve Kerr Wins NBA Coach of the Year, Luke Walton new Lakers Head Coach

Arizona legend, Steve Kerr, wins NBA Coach of the Year award. Gets surprise visit from Lute Olson.

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Steve Kerr was shocked and delighted to see his former coach, Lute Olson, walk into the Golden State Warrior’s press conference to present Kerr with the Coach of the Year award.

Lute Olson’s legacy just continues to grow. It’s a bit strange to say that on account of an NBA team who’s three best players have no ties to Arizona, but it’s true. It’s one thing for a college coach to string together some good teams, but what Lute built in Tucson has produced so much long-term and far-reaching success. Arizona basketball is an institution not just because of the product on the court, but because of the great people that have come out of the program.

So it was only fitting when Steve Kerr said – “this award is about what we’ve built.”

I understand that the media is intentionally polarizing, so it’s not really surprising to hear that this was a no-brainer to some, while others thought it utterly ludicrous to give Kerr this award after missing half the season. But you have to look at the big picture.

Kerr’s system is a culture that he built. His team’s best players have gone from good to great under Kerr’s leadership. The NBA is a league that has put 70 years worth of teams, 1,423 teams to be exact, on the floor. Only one of those teams has won 73 games in a season.

Some have said that Luke Walton isn’t getting the credit he deserves, but I ask you again to look at the big picture. Luke is in his first year as the lead assistant coach and he’s probably the only assistant coach that casual basketball fans can name. And then there’s this – Walton just accepted the Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach Position. That is huge!! Congrats to Luke!

Luke has done a wonderful job, and this gig with his old Laker’s team is well deserved. Let’s not forget, he’s in this position because he never wavered from Kerr’s system. Luke and the rest of the staff just tried to run things exactly like Steve would, and said that they would joke about getting bracelets that said – What Would Steve Do. Warrior’s GM, Bob Myers, paid Luke a huge compliment in saying that Luke never changed, despite having this sudden success in the spotlight.

Kerr was his usual humble self during the press conference. He said multiple times that this was all about the players and that he wouldn’t be sitting here without the play of Stephen Curry. Kerr talked about the excellent team that he inherited and called himself the luckiest coach around.

Kerr mentioned another ex-Wildcat, Andre Iguodala. He brought up the fact that his first big decision as a head coach was to take Iggy out of the starting lineup last year. Not an easy thing to take for most players with Iggy’s past success. But Kerr said that Iggy embraced it and mentored the young players on the team, and how that helped set the tone for the year.

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Kerr was emotional when asked about the pain he’s been in this year, saying it was the hardest year of his life. That the support he received from the organization and the relationships he’s built this year will last a lifetime. He also said that he was glad he listened to his players and let them push for 73 wins because that will also last a lifetime.

Congrats to both of our NBA Head Coach Wildcats! BEARDOWN!