Steve Kerr has seen and heard it all.
asserted
Kerr → see → it
That includes the white-knuckled chants calling for him to be fired or retire.
asserted
him → include → chants
So, how should Warriors fans feel about Kerr’s decision to return as Golden State’s coach?
asserted
fans → feel → coach
They should be thanking their lucky stars.
asserted
They → thank → stars
We all know that Kerr helped transform the Warriors into the league’s modern day dynasty, winning four championships over eight years from 2015-2022.
asserted
Kerr → know → 2015
But let’s take a second to think about what that entailed.
He was smart enough to allow Curry to shoot from anywhere, which forever changed the game of basketball.
He was genuine enough to gain the respect of Draymond Green, who trusted him so much that they could share heated words and then Kerr could turn around and guide Green during his most vulnerable moments.
uncertain
Kerr → let → moments
He was skilled enough to unlock the team’s role players, including helping Andre Iguodala become the 2015 Finals MVP.
asserted
Iguodala → unlock → players
Has Kerr had missteps?
asserted
Kerr → have → missteps
Sure, and he’s the first to admit that.
asserted
he → ’ → that
But overall, Kerr is one of the best coaches the NBA has seen.
asserted
NBA → see → coaches
He’s smart.
asserted
He → ’ → ?
He has a special way of getting through to players.
asserted
He → have → players
And he’s deeply competitive.
asserted
he → ’ → ?
Kerr’s superpower is he can relate to anyone on the roster, players one through 15.
asserted
he → relate → 15
He knows what it takes to be a role player after winning five championships alongside such names as Michael Jordan, David Robinson and Tim Duncan.
asserted
it → know → Jordan
He learned how to sacrifice.
asserted
He → learn → ?
And he learned how to stand up for himself.
asserted
he → learn → himself
(Remember when he shoved Jordan in the chest during a very intense scrimmage and then took a punch from the megastar?)
asserted
he → remember → megastar
The Warriors quickly transformed into a dynasty after Kerr took over the helm in May 2014, winning their first championship in 2015.
uncertain
Kerr → transform → 2015
The following season, they finished with the best record in NBA history, winning 73 games before blowing a 3-1 series lead in the Finals against the Cavaliers.
asserted
they → finish → Cavaliers
The Warriors remained atop the league for years, something that’s stunningly difficult.
asserted
that → remain → years
Over the last four years, things have changed for the Warriors.
asserted
things → change → Warriors
Since winning their last title in 2022, they haven’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs.
asserted
they → win → playoffs
In two of those seasons, they missed the postseason altogether.
asserted
they → miss → postseason
When Kerr’s contract expired after last season, he spent a lot of time reflecting on whether returning was right for the Warriors and him.
asserted
returning → expire → Warriors
But ultimately, he decided he still genuinely loved coaching.
asserted
he → decide → coaching
The team’s brass wanted him back.
asserted
brass → want → him
And he knew this was his last chance to work with Curry, who turns 39 next season, and Green, who turns 37, both of whom wanted Kerr to return to the helm.
asserted
Kerr → know → helm
Kerr, who’s introspective and self-deprecating, acknowledged a lot of things need to improve next season, including his coaching.
asserted
lot → ’ → coaching
He said he rewatched every turnover the Warriors committed.
asserted
Warriors → say → turnover
He wants to revisit the fundamentals.
asserted
He → want → fundamentals
He wants to impart mental sharpness.
asserted
He → want → sharpness
Saying those things in front of reporters was notable.
asserted
Saying → say → reporters
In a league where coaches are scapegoats, he’s not afraid to take responsibility.
asserted
he → ’ → responsibility
So, both Kerr and the Warriors are going into next season with a new mentality.
asserted
Kerr → go → mentality
Kerr wants to help Curry and Green ride off into the sunsets of their careers with dignity, while also trying to see how far they can take this.
asserted
they → want → this
They know they’re not going to be champions next season, barring something extraordinary happening ahead of the trade deadline.
asserted
something → know → deadline
But they’re deeply competitive, and there’s something beautiful about them beginning their dynastic run together and closing that chapter alongside one another.
asserted
them → ’re → one
Kerr did some soul-searching.
asserted
Kerr → do → searching
He decided he wasn’t done.
asserted
he → decide → ?
…and 6 more, not listed.
The Aporia
