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Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr is becoming an NBA Legend

By David Rosen

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after winning the 2018 NBA Finals 108-85 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after winning the 2018 NBA Finals 108-85 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Former Arizona Wildcat and NBA player, now coach of the Golden State Warriors, Steve Kerr, just won his third NBA title as a coach.

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NBA Champion! To win one championship is quite an accomplishment, win two is even better, but to go on and win multiple championships as a player and then as a coach is at legendary status. Steve Kerr has done that. He is one of the greats to have played at Arizona from 1983-1988 and has gone on to have one of the most successful careers, playing and coaching, in the NBA.

While at Arizona, he became known for his three-point shooting, finishing his career shooting 57.3% from three-point land, which set a NCAA record. Under Lute Olson, he learned what it took to win. He helped his team to the Final Four in 1988, but felt short. Even though he did not win a NCAA Championship, for his efforts and what he did for Arizona, he got his No. 25 jersey retired in McKale Center.

Kerr’s early transition into the NBA was little a bit of a journey first as he would go on to play for several different teams, before joining the Chicago Bulls in the 1993-94 season. In Chicago, he played alongside Michael Jordan, considered by many as of the greats of all time to play the game of basketball. Kerr would end up earning three titles with the Bulls and even hit the NBA title winner against the Utah Jazz in the 1997 finals!

Kerr would then go onto two win more NBA Championship with the San Antonio Spurs. But the winning wouldn’t stop there. After playing 16 seasons and 910 games in the NBA, he decided it was time to retire. Kerr though continued to be part of the NBA by joining TNT as a broadcast analyst for five seasons. He then was the Phoenix Suns general manager for three seasons.

Not done. Kerr then became the head coach for the Golden State Warriors before the 2014-15 season, where he has gone on to become one of the winningest coaches in NBA History. With the sweep of the Cleveland Cavs, he is now in 6th place among most NBA coaches with three titles, trailing his former coach and Zen Master, Phil Jackson, who has the most with 11 NBA Titles. Kerr does have the all-time highest winning percentage of any coach. Regular season win percentage is .808 and during the playoff is .759. Those are legendary numbers!

As it stands today, Kerr has eight NBA titles (five as a player and three as a head coach).  He has had success at the college level, NBA level as a player and now as an NBA head coach. Kerr has had the luxury of having some of the best players in the NBA on his team such as Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, fellow Wildcat Andre Iguodala and Kevin Durant. But to be able to manage them during a grueling 82 game season and coach them during the NBA playoffs is no easy task. Coaches aren’t out there taking the actual shots or playing defense, but they do play an essential role in making sure everyone stays focus and sticks to the game plan.

Besides his on-court achievements, off the court, he has been known to voice his opinion on anything. Whether it’s about the current President of United States or something topical, Kerr speaks with complete transparency and honesty. Fans love it. Media loves. We all love it!

Let’s not forget other former Wildcats who are now multi NBA Champions as well: Andre Iguodala with three NBA titles and assistant coach Bruce Fraser with three NBA titles as well. Former Arizona Wildcat players have won a total of 26 NBA titles, congrats!

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Must Read: Arizona Basketball Recruiting: Recap of recent Wildcat offers

With another Warriors NBA title, the Arizona Wildcat basketball dynasty in the NBA continues to get stronger. New Wildcats are getting ready to make their way into the NBA and that only means one thing, more winning, and more NBA titles. At Zona Zealots, we would like to congratulate the Warriors and former Wildcats on their 3rd title in 4 years. Bear Down!

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