Warriors coach wants no say in personnel matters
The interactions happen nearly every day. Warriors coach Steve Kerr and general manager Bob Myers talk to each other after practice or in their office. They also speak on the phone.
The topics can range from the trivial (good Netflix shows), cultural (good restaurants in San Francisco) or topical (the State of the Union speech). Inevitably, Myers and Kerr also discuss basketball, including the team’s play, player development and possible deals.
Kerr and Myers seemingly know each other’s thoughts about anything. Yet, both Myers and Kerr said they do not share their thoughts on what the other should do in their respective position. Looking toward today’s trade deadline, Kerr outlined a specific dynamic on any conversations he has with Myers about any possible moves.
“I don’t have any personnel power,” Kerr said. “The beauty of our arrangement coming in was they didn’t want to give me personnel power and I didn’t want any.” Why not? “I want to win today. Bob wants to win today and tomorrow,” Kerr said. “Those things aren’t always compatible. If you’re in charge of all that, it gets cloudy. It makes you see the forest for the trees. This is the best model. This is how it works for us.”
Clearly, this has worked for the Warriors amid winning two NBA championships in the past three years. But when the Warriors hired Kerr in 2014, he did not sign up to become an NBA coach that would answer to an ownership group or front office that dictates what he has to do.
“I never thought you force anything on your coach,” Myers said. “You can do that. It doesn’t make a ton of sense doing something without your coach’s input. You can disagree or agree. But collaborating is the healthiest way to do it.”
Kerr has first-hand experience on how that collaboration, or lack thereof, can derail a partnership.
Kerr told Bay Area News Group last month that he regretted how he handled his tenure as the Phoenix Suns’ general manager (2007-08) and should have forged a better relationship with former Suns coach Mike D’Antoni.
“I’ve been a GM and I understood how difficult that job is and understood how difficult the coaching job is,” Kerr said. “They really are separate jobs that require a person’s full attention. The communication with the group is key. But you always have to communicate. I trust Bob and the scouting department. They have done an amazing job. I don’t interfere.”
Despite boasting a star-studded roster, Myers’ salary cap management enabled the Warriors to acquire Kevin Durant in the 2016 offseason. Myers’ talent evaluation contributed toward the Warriors making smart draft choices that included Klay Thompson (2011), Draymond Green (2012), Patrick McCaw (2016) and Jordan Bell (2017).
“Leadership at the top, leaders in the organization, that allows you to have sustained success,” Myers said, referring to Warriors co-owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber as well as president Rick Welts. “But why we’re successful is really our players. They should get all the credit we’ve done. Not me, or maybe Steve should as well. They are the ones that have to go out there, work and perform every day and succeed.”