Steve Kerr is one of the greatest NBA coaches in league history. He’s led the Golden State Warriors to four championships.
Kerr also had a successful playing career, winning five titles. This includes hitting the game-winner to secure the 1997 NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls.
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Kerr recently spoke to Shane Battier on the Glue Guys Podcast and explained how Michael Jordan’s retirement helped launch his career.
“Well, when I got there, it was right when Michael decided to go play baseball. So, I went there expecting to play with him and or at least be on the team with him. I was actually trying out with a non-guaranteed contract, just trying to keep, you know, keep my place in the league.
“Yeah. So, it actually was to my benefit in some ways that he went because it opened up a bunch of playing time. It was bad for the rest of the Bulls and their fan base, but it was good for me.
“That’s kind of where I reestablished my career. It was my fifth year, and I was probably on my way out of the league. But you know, to step in there and learn from Phil and play with Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant and Bill Cartwright, these champions changed my whole career.
“And then, of course, Michael came back two years later and we started winning, you know, winning again. So it was, you know, what I learned was it’s a lot easier to develop a role, on a great team with great players than on an average team, you know, where everybody’s just kind of confused as to, you know, who’s the man and all that stuff.
“The hierarchy in Chicago allowed me, and the offense allowed me to just plug right in.”
(Starts 18:45)
Kerr is absolutely right. Jordan’s retirement, along with Phil Jackson and the veterans on the Bulls helped mold Kerr into the player we know him as today. If this didn’t happen, we may not remember who Steve Kerr is.
