The Golden State Warriors have built a great dynasty around Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The Warriors have achieved great things in the last decade and they are truly right up there with the ‘Showtime’ Los Angeles Lakers and Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in the 90s.
While Curry and Thompson are the ones who remain on the forefront and are considered responsible for this success, there is another man who made it all happen. That is the coach Steve Kerr.
Mark Jackson was the Warriors’ coach before Kerr’s appointment. He took the Warriors to the playoffs but couldn’t guide them to the trophy. However, with Kerr’s arrival, the dynasty was formed.
During a recent interview with Kenny Beecham, Thompson revealed Kerr’s contribution to this team and also to him on a personal level. He highlighted how Kerr had insights into playing for a dynasty team during his career with the Bulls, so he has an idea. “The best part of playing for a guy like Steve is I can ask him what it was like playing for that dynasty run with the Bulls or what it was like playing with the Twin Towers,” Thompson revealed.
During his playing days, Kerr won three championships with Jordan’s Chicago Bulls and two titles with San Antonio Spurs.
While in NBA nowadays, franchises have hardly shown any patience, Kerr is someone who has had a longer rope with the Warriors, much like his mentor Gregg Popovic. The main reason for him staying with the Warriors for so long is the relationships that he has built with the players, the team management and also with every staff at the franchise.
Therefore Thompson holds him in very high regard. He also shared how Kerr has helped him by sharing good perspectives during their dream run with titles. “He makes you appreciate the present more than I know just because of how special this is of an opportunity not just be in the NBA but like you said compete for championships. I mean it’s so rare and to be a part of a team we’ve done it multiple times, it’s something I don’t take for granted,” the sharp-shooter guard added.
Thompson feels that after whatever he has gone through with Kerr, he can’t expect to play under any other coach.
However, the Warriors failed to defend their title this season as they were knocked out by LeBron James’ Lakers. Therefore the franchise has made some moves in the offseason as they trade out Jordan Poole in exchange of the veteran Chris Paul. The rest of the activity including Draymond Green’s future is still in the clouds and will gradually unfold in the coming weeks.
