Former Wildcat Steve Kerr is one of the best NBA Coaches ever

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OAKLAND, CA – MAY 31: Stephen Curry #30 and Klay Thompson #11 talk with Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Steve Kerr gets his team of stars to play together

“These guys are champions, defending champions from a year ago, four in the last eight years, these guys know the deal,” Kerr said after game 7 on Monday night.

Who can stop Steph Curry? Steph was asked this question, here is his answer: “Hopefully we never find out.” Draymond also spoke on his teammate, “When he’s locked in and laser-focused there’s not many defenses in the world that can stop him.”

Since 2014, Kerr has worked on getting his team to respect each other. He has also created a safe space for players to speak their minds. While that way of managing these huge personalities has produced instances like a punch in the face (Draymond to Jordan Poole), it has also proved positive.

Case in point: The team has stayed focused throughout the playoffs so far. It’s not easy but it is essential to winning championships. Kerr. has won four NBA Championships with this same set of stars: Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green, Seth Curry, and Klay Thompson. Granted, they won with Kevin Durrant one year, but that also proves Kerr is great at getting his stars to play team basketball.

Steve Kerr asked his fellow Wildcat Alum Andre Iguodala to come off the bench and be the sixth man. He complied. Then he won the NBA Championship MVP award. In 2023, his role as a veteran, being injured, is cheering and coaching from the bench after fracturing his left wrist on March 13 against the Phoenix Suns.

“Coach [Kerr] is the best of being able to paint a picture of how you’re going to help this team, and being real. Like, you feel that care factor that he brings,” explained Steph Curry to his former teammate Matt Barnes on the January 2022 All The Smoke Podcast, “He’s special, he’s wise just in terms of how to manage people; gotta be honest, know how to get the most out guys — You always know where you’re at, if you get a couple of DNP’s you’ll know why.” Curry feels Kerr engages all 15 players all year long, and that players feel the “Care Factor” from him. According to Stephen Jackson, who played with Kerr on the Spurs, Kerr is a great motivator and he’s so educated about the game.

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