What Made Steve Kerr Such a Popular Hire?

[jonathanlambert33]

I've gotten a lot of questions from people that think I'm an expert about Steve Kerr's popularity amongst the credible owners of the NBA. Let's be clear, I know nothing. The only answer I'm certain of is that he's well-connected at every path of his well-known NBA success. From winning championships with Michael Jordan, years as an understudy to Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich and operating as the Phoenix Suns GM for three years, Kerr has no shortage of support from numerous outlets. But with as much coaching experience as me and you combined, why was he the Plan 1B to Stan Van Gundy's 1A - with SVG being the best possible coach, in my opinion - as the coaching hire?


So I knew Bob. And Ive known Joe actually a long time through a mutual friend, a venture capitalist in the Bay Area. So weve been on golf trips together.

The familiarity for sure was helpful and it helped everybody relax and just sort of be themselves.

Those are damning words coming from the next coach of the Golden State Warriors. Juxtapose that against Mark Jackson's "minor" disagreements that include his refusal to move his church from Southern California and we're starting to see a not-so-subtle disconnect differentiating between the old and new regime.

When Joe Lacob first hired Mark Jackson he did not anticipate much intimate friction, either. But Lacob, Bob Myers and the rest of management were confident this time to cash out the rookie head coach to the tune of 5 years and $25 million (similar to the one Jim Harbaugh received three years ago). There are many circumstances that help us contextualize the difference between the contracts. Jackson never had experience with basketball operations other than functioning as the star point guard on a very good team.

Kerr, on the other hand, spent considerable time managing players, egos, and philosophies. Later in his detailed chat with Tim Kawakami of San Jose Mercury News, he notes that his offense won't turn away from the Stephen Curry and (insert name) pick-and-roll. So while the golf buddies comment is disconcerting, there are certainly notions with which Kerr can stand upon while trying to prosper under the intense pressure.

And yet, it gets back to why the team was so willing to go the extra mile - one that even the New York Knicks who just signed Phil Jackson to a bajillion dollar contract wouldn't go - to land something that's considerably splashy without the requisite weight.

http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2014/5/15/5719552/golden-state-warriors-steve-kerr-coach-lacob