Tag: STEVE KERR
An emotional Steve Kerr on school shooting in Texas: ‘When are we going to do something?’
On Tuesday, a lone gunman killed 19 children and one teacher at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
Before Game 4 of the Western Conference finals between the Warriors and Mavericks in Dallas, Warriors coach Steve Kerr reacted, and at times, he was emotional and angry.
Kerr took no questions during the pregame press conference and said the following:
“I’m not going to talk about basketball. Nothing’s happened with our team in the last six hours. We’re going to start the same way tonight. Any basketball questions don’t matter.
“Since we left shootaround, 14 children were killed 400 miles from here, and a teacher. In the last 10 days, we’ve had elderly black people killed in a supermarket in Buffalo, we’ve had Asian churchgoers killed in Southern California, now we have children murdered at school.
“When are we going to do something? I’m tired. I’m so tired of getting up here and offering condolences to the devastated families that are out there. I’m so tired. Excuse me. I’m sorry. I’m tired of the moments of silence. Enough.
“There’s 50 Senators right now who refuse to vote on HR8, which is a background check rule that the House passed a couple years ago. It’s been sitting there for two years. There’s a reason they won’t vote on it: to hold onto power.
“I ask you, Mitch McConnell, all of you Senators who refuse to do anything about the violence, school shootings, supermarket shootings, I ask you: Are you going to put your own desire for power ahead of the lives of our children and our elderly and our churchgoers? Because that’s what it looks like. That’s what we do every week.
“So I’m fed up. I’ve had enough. We’re going to play the game tonight. But I want every person here, every person listening to this, to think about your own child or grandchild, mother or father, sister, brother. How would you feel if this happened to you today?
“We can’t get numb to this. We can’t sit here and just read about it and go, well, let’s have a moment of silence. Go Dubs. C’mon, Mavs, let’s go. That’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to go play a basketball game.
“Fifty Senators in Washington are going to hold us hostage. Do you realize that 90 percent of Americans, regardless of political party, want background checks, universal background checks? Ninety percent of us. We are being held hostage by 50 Senators in Washington who refuse to even put it to a vote, despite what we the American people want.
“They won’t vote on it because they want to hold onto their own power. It’s pathetic. I’ve had enough.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families.
Watch below as Kerr reacts to the senseless shooting in Uvalde, Texas:
Luka and the Mavs are still confident after Game 1 loss to Warriors
The Golden State Warriors brought the defensive energy in Game 1 of their Western Conference finals series against the Dallas Mavericks.
Behind the defense of Andrew Wiggins, Golden State held Luka Doncic to 20 points on 6/18 shooting from the floor, including 3/10 from deep. The Mavericks shot only 36% from the field, including 22% from downtown, and they fell to the Warriors 112-87 at Chase Center Wednesday night.
Game 2 is Friday night at Chase Center.
Golden State led by as many as 30 points and had seven guys in double figures, led by Steph Curry’s game-highs of 21 points and 12 rebounds.
The Warriors are second in opponents’ field goal percentage(43%) in the playoffs, so you knew they would not make it easy for Doncic and the Mavs.
“Just make him work, that was the main thing, 94 feet, just make him work, pick him up, make everything tough for him,” Wiggins, who added 19 points, said about guarding Doncic after the win. “He’s a good player, great player, so he’s going to make shots. He’s going to do his thing but just stay on him, make it tough.”
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr added on Wiggins’ defense against Doncic: “I thought Wiggs was fantastic. Doncic is as difficult a cover as there in this league, and we just asked Wiggs to try to hound him and guard him as best as he could, stay in front, and try to keep the pressure on him, and he did a fantastic job. Wiggs is just a huge part of our defense and our team. I thought he was great offensively as well. So great night for Andrew.
Doncic agreed with Kerr and felt the Warriors played well against him on the defensive end, but according to Doncic, he has to be better.
“Yeah, they were doing a great job on me, especially in the second half,’ Doncic said. “But I think I’ve got to be better. That’s on me. As a leader, I’ve got to be better for the whole group, so that’s on me.”
The Mavericks have been in this position before. Dallas lost Game 1 in the first two rounds of the playoffs and trailed 2-0 to the Suns in the second round of the playoffs, so there’s no panic with this team. As he walked off the court at the end of the game, Doncic had a smile on his face.
“Like I say, I said in the Phoenix series, we’re going to believe,” he said. “So the confidence is the same. It’s tough to win every game, so some you’re going to lose. But the confidence stays the same”
Dallas could not make shots, but their head coach Jason Kidd was happy with his team’s looks and is confident they could make those shots in Game 2.
“There were a lot of great looks that just didn’t go down,” Kidd said. “It happens. It’s basketball. Hopefully, we get those same looks in Game 2, and we believe we’ll make them.”
Obviously, this series is far from over, and great players like Doncic find ways. The Mavs have to throw this one away, make adjustments, and get ready for Game 2.
Steve Kerr named USA Basketball Men’s National Team Head Coach
The coaching staff for the 2022-24 USA Basketball Men’s National Team today was announced when USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director Grant Hill officially named eight-time NBA championship Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr to lead the USA Men’s National Team.
Additionally, Gonzaga University head coach Mark Few, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams will complete the 2022-24 USA National Team coaching staff as assistant coaches.
The USA Basketball Board of Directors approved the selections, which, should the U.S. men qualify for the 2024 Olympics, will be subject to approval by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
“With today’s announcement, our men’s national basketball team begins its quest for 2023 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Olympic gold,” said retired Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, USA Basketball Chairperson. “ On behalf of everyone associated with USA Basketball, I want to thank these four great coaches for stepping up to lead the young men who will proudly wear USA into international competition.”
As head coach, Kerr will lead the USA National Team in 2022-24, which will include all USA Men’s National Team training camps, and, if the USA qualifies, the 2023 FIBA World Cup that is scheduled to be held in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from Aug. 25-Sept. 10, 2023, and the 2024 Summer Olympic Games that is scheduled for July 26-Aug. 11 in Paris, France.
“I’m incredibly honored and humbled to represent our country as the head coach for the USA Basketball Men’s National Team,” said Kerr. “It’s a thrilling opportunity and I’m excited for the challenge.
“Obviously, there are numerous people who I need to acknowledge and thank, notably Grant Hill, Jim Tooley and Sean Ford of USA Basketball, and of course Gregg Popovich and Jerry Colangelo, who gave me the opportunity to be an assistant coach on the most recent USA staff.
“I’m also beyond excited to work with three coaches I have enormous respect for in Erik Spoelstra, Monty Williams and Mark Few. Coaching the USA Men’s National Team comes with great responsibility — one that calls for a group effort with a team of coaches committed to the team, to the goal and to each other — and I couldn’t ask for a finer group of high character individuals to help me lead our national team. Our goal, of course, is to win and make our country proud. We will work hard to do so.”
The USA men have won four consecutive Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020) and have claimed FIBA World Cup championships in two of the past three competitions (2010, 2014).
“I’m thrilled to announce the coaching staff for the 2022-24 USA Basketball Men’s National Team, with Steve Kerr as head coach, and Mark Few, Erik Spoelstra and Monty Williams as assistant coaches. There is no question in my mind that this is an extremely experienced and talented coaching staff,” said Hill. “Steve now joins a list of coaching legends who have led USA men’s national teams to a remarkable legacy.
“As a college and NBA player, he enjoyed remarkable success, helping his teams achieve great success. As a coach, he has cultivated outstanding chemistry and provided invaluable leadership which has led Golden State to enviable success including three NBA Championships. In his role as an assistant coach for coach Popovich and the 2017-21 USA National Teams, he gained valuable insight and experience both with the USA National Team and in FIBA competitions. In my opinion, basketball people would agree that he was the ideal candidate to lead the USA National Team in the next three years.”
Since first fielding a team of legendary NBA stars in 1992, USA Basketball Men’s National Teams have claimed gold medals in 15 of 19 major FIBA basketball competitions, while compiling an impressive 146-10 overall record (.936 winning percentage) in those competitions and posting a record of 56-4 (.933 winning percentage) in exhibition games.
Warriors’ Curry: ‘We’re definitely proud of ourselves’
The Golden State Warriors had two chances to make the playoffs, and both times they came up short, including Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies as the Warriors fell in overtime 117-112 at Chase Center in the Play-In Tournament.
Golden State lost to the Lakers on Wednesday night in the Play-In Tournament 103-100 in Los Angeles.
Memphis now goes on to play the number one seed in the West, the Utah Jazz, while the Warriors go home. Golden State overcame many odds to get this point, including injuries to Klay Thompson and rookie James Wiseman, but the Warriors did not have enough to get over the hump and into the playoffs.
After the game, Warriors forward Draymond Green, who had a triple-double with 11 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists against Memphis, reflected on the season.
‘We definitely had a lot of struggles trying to build with a young, new team,” Green said. “Had quite a few rough patches there along the way, but over the last 20 games or so, we started to figure it out and grow, and a lot of successes came from that. Steph Curry being in the MVP conversation, myself, being in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.”
Despite overcoming the obstacles and going 15-5 in the final 20 games to put themselves in a position to get to the playoffs, Green would not call this season a success for the Warriors.
“The reality is we came up a little short, so there are no moral victories here,” he said. “We’re still champions, and that’s always the goal, so I’m not going to act like this year was some huge success because we didn’t win it, and that’s always the goal.”
While Green would not call the season a success, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr did.
“I think this season absolutely was a success; we would have loved to have gotten into the playoffs and tried to make a run,” Kerr said. “We were really a good team over the last 22 games, I guess… To watch Jordan (Poole), Juan (Toscano-Anderson), Mychal Mulder, these young guys grow and develop, that makes this a successful season because of what it sets up for next year.”
Curry, one of the three finalists for MVP, was proud of his team, but like Green, there are no moral victories for him.
“It’s okay to pat yourself on the back for doing something that really, nobody thought we could do,’ Curry, who had 39 points on Friday night, said. “I don’t think there is any moral victories. It’s weird because we’re not used to this, but we’re definitely proud of ourselves.”
The Warriors battled hard to get to this point, and it seemed the playoffs were going to happen for Golden State after they defeated the Grizzlies last Sunday to get that eighth seed, but they fell just short. Obviously, the Warriors can get back into contention, especially with Thompson and Wiseman coming back, so while they are disappointed now, next season will probably be a different story for Golden State.
Steve Kerr says Curry will miss first-round of playoffs(VIDEO)
According to Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, Steph Curry will miss the first-round of the playoffs.
Curry was diagnosed with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee on Saturday after he was injured in the Warriors 106-94 victory over the Hawks on Friday night.
Curry is expected to be re-evaluated in three weeks, according to the Warriors.
Here is what Kerr had to say today:
Steve Kerr's full comment/update on Steph Curry, saying he won't play in the first round pic.twitter.com/jtQ7aPdP25
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 25, 2018
Currently, Golden State is the 2nd seed in the Western Conference. If the playoffs were to start today, the Warriors would face the Timberwolves in the first-round of the playoffs.
Steve Kerr: ‘Somewhere, LaVar Ball is laughing at all of us’
LaVar Ball is causing problems for the Lakers from all the way in Lithuania. Ball, who is in Lithuania with his two sons LaMelo and LiAngelo, told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman over the weekend that Lakers coach Luke Walton “has no control” of the team.
Ball’s comments have a lot of NBA coaches upset, including Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Kerr took the time to discuss LaVar Ball and ESPN on Monday.
Take a listen:
Steve Kerr weighs in on LaVar Ball, ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ZOExLlCn9W
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 9, 2018
Dwane Casey and Steve Kerr named Coaches of the Month for December
Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey and the Golden State Warriors’ Steve Kerr today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in December.
Casey guided the Raptors to an Eastern Conference-best 11-3 record during December, including a 6-0 mark at Air Canada Centre where the Raptors have tied a franchise record with 12 straight victories. Toronto outscored opponents by 8.6 points per game during December, good for second in the NBA behind the Warriors (9.3 ppg). The Raptors logged five December wins in which they scored at least 100 points while holding their opponent under the century mark. Six of Toronto’s top 11 players in terms of minutes played per game have three or fewer years of NBA experience.
Kerr led the Warriors to an NBA-best 13-2 record in December, despite being without Stephen Curry for 11 games due to a sprained ankle. It was the highest winning percentage (.877) for December in franchise history. In addition to leading in point differential, Golden State paced the NBA in field goal percentage (50.9), assists (30.9 apg), blocks (8.3 bpg) and opponents field goal percentage (42.5). The Warriors’ current seven-game road winning streak is tied for the fourth longest in franchise history and their 14 road wins are tied with the Boston Celtics for most in the league.
Other nominees for the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month were Chicago’s Fred Hoiberg, Cleveland’s Tyronn Lue, Houston’s Mike D’Antoni, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Minnesota’s Tom Thibodeau, Oklahoma City’s Billy Donovan, San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich and Washington’s Scott Brooks.
Steve Kerr could miss the rest of playoffs.
The Warriors did not need Steve Kerr or Kevin Durant last night in Portland. GSW won game three against the Blazers 119-113 to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their best of seven first-round series.
While this series is pretty much over, the Warriors’ big concern is the health of their coach. Steve Kerr, who missed the first 43 games last season because of complications with his back surgery, will not coach game four against the Blazers he announced today.
Also, According to ESPN’s Ethan Strauss, Kerr had this to say about his future:
The key part of the Steve Kerr press conference, in my opinion: https://t.co/HpZ0OqrCmL pic.twitter.com/GhX9KrhPHl
— Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) April 23, 2017
Losing Kerr for the rest of the playoffs would be a huge blow for the team. Hopefully, Kerr can get right.
Spurs-Warriors: Not fair to fans!
Last night’s game between Warriors-Spurs felt like a pre-season contest. There was no buzz in that building last night. Fans pay top dollar to watch Curry, Klay, and Draymond. Not Zaza, Ian Clark, or Kevon Looney. In terms of the Spurs, their injuries were legit. Kawhi Leonard is in concussion protocol; LaMarcus Aldridge has a heart issue. They get a pass.
No one cared about the fans in the arena, and no one cared about the fans watching at home! A highly anticipated game turned out to be a waste of time. The NBA is going to have to do something about this issue. It is like going to a concert and expecting Jay-Z, but getting Memphis Bleek.
End of the day, it is not fair to the fans, TV rights holders and everybody else!