Kerr dealt assist to Stevens
Warriors coach was an asset to now-Celtics coach as Stevens pondered a future in the NBA
The front-row seat as a network analyst gave Steve Kerr an up close view on Brad Stevens’ rising stock as a coach. The lunch table gave Stevens an intimate environment to learn from Kerr.
Stevens became a rising commodity after leading Butler to two consecutive NCAA Finals appearances in 2010 and 2011. So during the 2013 NCAA tournament in Indianapolis, Stevens invited Kerr to lunch to ask him about possible NBA headcoaching opportunities.
“He’s a guy I always appreciated and picked his brain,” Stevens said. “He’s been a very good resource for me.”
Since then, Kerr and Stevens continue to be a good resource for each other as respective head coaches for the Warriors and Boston Celtics. Before the Warriors (11-3) play the Celtics (13-2) in a nationally televised game Thurs-
day, Kerr and Stevens will hold a Q&A session with fans as part of the Positive Coaching Alliance.
“I swear more than he does,” Kerr joked. “But we have similar styles in terms of the relationships with the players and empowering people and playing a lot of people.”
Therefore, Kerr’s feedback during their lunch became valuable.
Then, Kerr provided insight on NBA coaching after previously serving as the Phoenix Suns general manager. Kerr also outlined the importance in either joining an NBA team with talent or securing a multi-year deal with a rebuilding squad. A year later, the Celtics hired Stevens to help rebuild a championship-storied franchise after trading key veterans Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn.
Kerr has since said Steven has “done an amazing job” and “is a fantastic coach” after leading the Celtics to three NBA playoff appearances in four years, including a trip to the Eastern Conference finals in 2017. With the Celtics since acquiring Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, Kerr considers the Celtics the “team of the future in the East.”
“I really appreciate him saying that. There’s nobody I can respect more. He’s an incredible person and coach,” Stevens said. “I couldn’t be happier for his success. He’s clearly got a fun thing going. The
environment that he creates and that team he creates together is really enjoyable.”
Kerr sounded just as complimentary, saying he has “great respect for Brad.” Both Kerr and Warriors forward Kevin Durant credited Stevens for implementing similar team-building tactics, such as swift ball movement and deep rotations.
After becoming impressed with Stevens’ NBA head-coaching potential as he served as a color analyst during March Madness, Kerr walked away more encouraged after his lunch with Stevens.
“He’s really sharp in terms of picking people’s brains and finding the right person to talk to and seeking advice,” Kerr said. “He’s one of those guys who’s really smart. But one of the reasons he’s so smart is he doesn’t think he knows everything. He’s trying to learn. Even though he’s the smartest
guy in the room, he doesn’t act like it. He’s constantly learning. He’s really impressive.”
• The Warriors still listed Curry as probable to play Thursday after nursing a right thigh contusion that sidelined him Monday against Orlando. Curry participated in the Warriors’ light practice Wednesday, including shooting drills.
“It’s all right. Everybody has gone through this before at some point when they’ve played basketball,” Curry said. “Push through it, continue to get better hopefully I’ll be ready to go.”
• After hearing continuous backlash from Thunder fans over his decision to join the Warriors last season, Durant shared a soft spot for Irving. The Celtics star also sparked scrutiny for asking the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office to trade him.
“The fans don’t matter at all. The fans don’t
matter when it comes to stuff like that,” Durant said. “Kyrie has to live it every single day and he made a decision that was best for what he wanted. Everybody is different. You see it’s paying off for him. He chose the basketball route. He chose to go somewhere where he could maximize his basketball skills.”
• The Warriors held a practice late Wednesday evening shortly after landing in Boston. Kerr organized the itinerary that way so the Warriors could fight jet lag from the three-hour time difference from Oakland. As a result, the Warriors will not have morning shootaround on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Warriors forward Draymond Green plans to speak at Harvard on Thursday afternoon about athletes’ involvement with social justice issues. Kerr supported the appearance, even on a game day.