Warriors coach Steve Kerr has missed nearly the entire postseason due to complications from a 2015 back surgery. It hasn’t appeared to matter much as the Dubs have continued to truck opponents under interim coach Mike Brown, entering the NBA Finals with an unprecedented 12-0 playoff record.
Kerr started attending the Warriors playoff games during the Western Conference Finals — and still managed to give his team a lift during Game 1. On Tuesday he told the San Jose Mercury News that even though his health is still not 100 percent, he’s mulling over returning to the sidelines at some point during the coming series:
-Q: Is there any worry that coming back could mess it up a little bit?
-KERR: I don’t think it would. With our team I don’t think it would. Like I said, we’re doing the same stuff.
I think just, it’s the Finals, there’s going to be a spotlight, is it a distraction? Is it another storyline? Do we need to deal with all that?I don’t know. Ultimately I don’t think I can worry about that. I’ve got to play it by ear–if I’m feeling good I should coach and if I’m not feeling up to it, then I shouldn’t. And it’s that simple.
Kerr said that for whatever reason, the back pain he’s been dealing with for almost two years got significantly worse last month. But he’s confident his health won’t force him into retirement — at least not yet.
-Q: I’ll ask you now: Can you say that you definitely will coach again at some point?
-KERR: Hell yeah.
You know, it’s a little trickier, since this has been going on. I sort of assumed all last year that by the summer I’d get this thing knocked out.
It’s been kind of a mystery and that’s what so frustrating. But I have every intention to coach for a long time. It’s scary stuff and still hoping for a better resolution to it.
-Q: No matter what happens in the Finals, will you be coaching the start of next regular season?
-KERR: That’s the plan. But what’s the date–it’s May 30. I can’t promise anything, neither can Bob (Myers). We have to figure everything out this summer.
It’s a very unique situation, a very difficult situation for me personally and for Bob and Joe. It’s probably unprecedented.
One thing I know is that we’ll all work together. They’re going to want to do what’s best for me, I’m going to want to do what’s best for them. We’ll figure out whatever that is.
Who knows how much of a difference Kerr’s return would make against the Cavs, although I doubt it would be a distraction for the team. But at the very least, it’s good to know the Golden State coach’s health has improved.
