Why Steve Kerr Returned to the Warriors Bench for the 26-27 Season Defying Speculation
Before the Play-In Tournament began, the belief around the league was that the Warriors and Steve Kerr would head towards a divorce. In retrospect, that conclusion was premature, but it made sense at the time since Golden State had hit a plateau. To see different results, the formula has to change, and the easiest scapegoat in such a situation is the coach. Some consider the 60-year-old's playstyle outdated, and while his respect for revolutionizing the league a decade ago remains, his recent teams have looked a step behind the top squads.
Kerr began yesterday's presser by naturally expressing gratitude to the organization. Plus, explaining that his decision took about a week to reach. The Lebanon native then shared something his wife said that gave the Warriors coach a fresh perspective, telling him that he "might coach some day again, but will never coach the Warriors again." Kerr cited the strong bond the two sides have built over 12 years, with both the front office and the players, claiming that was the main factor that led to negotiations.
After moments of self-reflection during his press conference yesterday, the five-time NBA Champion was evidently critical of his own coaching. He vowed to improve in areas he feels the team lacked, such as limiting turnovers, winning on the margins, and getting more activity on the offensive glass. In terms of style, Kerr claimed that there's only so much philosophical change that can happen within a team. The six-foot-one coach said that his guys played the most five-out during his tenure because of players like Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis, whom Golden State traded for midseason.
Ultimately, this storyline has an unfinished-business feel to it. In truth, Kerr won't have another opportunity to coach someone with the greatness of Steph Curry or the leadership of Draymond Green. For that reason, the image of those three hugging each other after the season-ending loss to Phoenix is so powerful. It signals the end of an era that greatly affected the entire NBA. However, for at least the next two years, and really for as long as this era retains the faintest of sparks, this chapter of Golden State is still not closed.
