The Golden State Warriors dynasty was the defining team in the NBA over the latter half of the 2010s. Nearly unparalleled in their success, their historical significance to the league was also unique, as they ushered in the 3-point revolution.
More than a decade removed from his first title under a new regime, head coach Steve Kerr accomplished a historic milestone. In a win over the Washington Wizards, he clinched his 600th win, becoming the fourth-fastest head coach in NBA history. However, a player’s coach through and through, Kerr believed the credit lay with the talent in his locker room.
Head Coach Steve Kerr Shows Reverence and Humility at Rare Honor
While the Golden State Warriors were emerging as a threat in the Western Conference under Mark Jackson, the appointment of Kerr allowed them to usher in an entirely new era. Immediately expanding into a dynasty, the former Chicago Bulls star revolutionized the sport as a whole.
His most successful accomplishment, from a pure numbers standpoint, was the 73-9 season that still holds true as the best record over the course of a regular season in league history.
But the ability to manage multiple superstars and countless Hall of Famers on a single roster earned him a unique voice. Eternally tied to Stephen Curry for the success the pair achieved, the two-time MVP was the first name out of his mouth when he spoke about the accomplishment.
“I mean, you can’t win in this league without great players, and I was blessed from the day I took this job with incredible talent. With Steph [Curry] and Klay [Thompson] and Andre [Iguodala] and Andrew Bogut, and down the list.”
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His speech, though, revealed all of the players he believed were instrumental in the success of the dynasty that went to five straight NBA Finals and won three championships. Even role players got a nod, as he continued.
“Harrison Barnes, and then, obviously, over the subsequent 12 years, I can go down the list. David West, Kevin Durant, Zaza [Pachulia], all these guys are just amazing. So, I owe, I guess, the honor to incredible talent and a great organization.”
It was then, rather bittersweet, that the win against the Wizards had none of the players Kerr mentioned on the court. While some have retired and others were traded, Curry remains on the team but has been out with an injury for quite some time.
Still, it was a momentous occasion, as Kerr stood behind just three legendary figures: Phil Jackson, Pat Riley, and Gregg Popovich. Giving credence to the unique honor, he still believed it was the talent of his locker room that allowed him that level of success.
“It’s surreal to hear my name in that group, but I can tell you that there’s one thing that bonds us all together, those names and mine, and it’s talent. It’s talent,” Kerr added.
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But he faces a unique challenge in his career as a head coach in the near future. Golden State is not the juggernaut it used to be. Instead, it has toiled away in the Play-In virtually every season since its 2022 championship.
With Curry also rising in age by the day, it will be interesting to see how Kerr navigates the Warriors over the next few years.
