Steve Kerr, the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, thought back on a difficult 2023–24 season in which a record number of supporters demanded that he be fired from his position leading the team. Kerr stated in a Fox Sports interview that he is bothered by the fans’ desire for him to be replaced.
“Hell yes, it does.”
Kerr reaffirmed that he is appreciative of the luxury lifestyle he has amassed via basketball and that he is willing to tolerate rumors about his job security.
“I never in a million years could have imagined that my life would be in basketball and that I would achieve this kind of wealth through a game… If the price for that is for people to say I should be fired, that’s a pretty good tradeoff.”
Additionally, Kerr expressed his desire for this chapter of the club to conclude with dignity for each and every one of his players, emphasizing how much he loves the part he played in the Warriors’ success.
“I’m not trying to be totally modest and say I had nothing to do with it. I did have something to do with it. And it made me proud. But the stars really aligned and there has to be a sense of honesty and humility. If the stars didn’t align, I could’ve gone to the Knicks and been fired after two years and never had any of these experiences. I want this to end with contentment and dignity. I want our players to feel proud.”
The Warriors, who finished the season as the No. 10 seed in the West, were defeated by an ailing Sacramento Kings team, who were also eliminated from the playoffs, in the 9–10 Play-In game.
This season, team owner Joe Lacob extended Kerr’s contract, probably as a thank you for leading the team over the past 10 years and leading them to an unexpected title in 2022.
The Championship Dynasty Expected To Stay Together
It was important for Steve Kerr to discuss how the players wanted this chapter of the team to finish with dignity since, should he be let go this summer, one player may have an unjustifiable farewell to the Warriors. It’s Klay Thompson, who failed to score in the Warriors’ Play-In game against the Kings.
Klay has been a strong supporter in the Warriors locker room to return to the team as a free agency. It’s evident that Stephen Curry cannot imagine playing without Klay Thompson and Draymond Green at his side.
“I can never see myself not with those two guys. I understand this league changes and there’s so many things that go into it and we’re not going to play forever. But we experienced so much together. At the end of the day, I know they want to win and I know I want to win and that’s all I worry about.”
Draymond Green made the argument that the team has taken good care of him and Steph, so they should take similar care of Klay.
“I don’t think there’s any scenario where Klay leaves and that’s the best scenario for this team of organization. They did right by me. They’ve done right by Steph. They’ve done right by all of us.”
In a dismal season for the Warriors, Klay averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. All the team needs to maintain the heart of its dynasty is for Thompson to return, as Curry, Green, and Kerr are under contract.
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