Steve Kerr is a five-time NBA champion, including three with the Bulls. His series-clinching jumper in 1997 remains the stuff of franchise lore.
He owns one NBA title and one Coach of the Year award with the Warriors, the franchise that has converted even non-basketball fans with its joyous style of play and long-distance shooting.
And yet Kerr suddenly is adding a new line to his resume, that of a passionate voice in the current polarizing political climate.
"It just feels like a time that’s important to do so," Kerr said in an interview with the Tribune after Warriors’ practice Tuesday. "Before, it always seemed civil in terms of the political discourse in the country. You had partisan issues. You had Republican versus Democrat. But it was very respectful for the most part.
"Our country has sort of devolved into almost like a war of criticism with people hiding behind their phones and laptops and really getting vicious with one another. You’ve seen that trend the last few years. But suddenly, that trend spilled over into the political arena with (President Donald) Trump tweeting really these inappropriate remarks. That’s dangerous to me. And everything that’s happening around that world seems dangerous to me now.
Steve Kerr calls Trump executive order on travel ban ‘a horrible idea’ Tribune news services
Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed dismay over President Donald Trump’s executive order that bans citizens of seven majority Muslim countries from entering the United States.
Kerr spoke about the administration’s travel ban following a 113-111 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday…
Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed dismay over President Donald Trump’s executive order that bans citizens of seven majority Muslim countries from entering the United States.
Kerr spoke about the administration’s travel ban following a 113-111 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday…
(Tribune news services)
"I don’t know where it’s all heading. But I think it seems like a time of activism. That’s why you’re seeing the Women’s March and people seem to be getting more politically active. It just seems important to me to add my voice."
Kerr was born in Lebanon, where his father, Malcolm H. Kerr, later served as president of the American University of Beirut. Steve was 18 when his father was assassinated in that city in an act of terrorism claimed by a group calling itself Islamic Holy War.
When he opines about matters as diverse as gun control, Middle East policy, immigration and presidential politics, he does so with both his heart and his head.
"One of the reasons I’m comfortable speaking out about gun control and immigration is my family history has been directly affected by those issues," Kerr said. "So I don’t hesitate to talk about either one."
After the Warriors’ Jan. 29 victory in Portland, Kerr was asked about Trump’s controversial executive order banning travel into the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries. Many have labeled the act a Muslim ban.
Steve Kerr is extraordinary for reasons that have nothing to do with basketball John Feinstein
Steve Kerr, coach of the Golden State Warriors, doesn’t tweet that often, although he did tweet the other day that he had just subscribed to The Post, “because facts matter.”
More often, he lets people know where he stands via retweets, such as a recent one from Keith Boykin that said, “Wonder…
Steve Kerr, coach of the Golden State Warriors, doesn’t tweet that often, although he did tweet the other day that he had just subscribed to The Post, “because facts matter.”
More often, he lets people know where he stands via retweets, such as a recent one from Keith Boykin that said, “Wonder…
(John Feinstein)
"If we’re trying to combat terrorism by banishing people from coming to this country by really going against the principles that this country is about and creating fear, it’s the wrong way to go about it," Kerr told reporters that night.
"If anything, we could be breeding anger and terror, so I’m completely against what’s happening. I think it’s shocking and a horrible idea and I really feel for all the people who are affected and the families that are being torn apart and I worry in the big picture what this means to the security of the world."
Kerr said he hasn’t talked about his criticism of Trump to fellow NBA coaches like Gregg Popovich and Stan Van Gundy, who also have been highly critical of some of Trump’s comments and policies.
"We’re doing our own thing. And I don’t think everybody should talk. I think everybody should feel comfortable with what they want to do," Kerr said.
"The thing we talk to our players about is if you’re going to speak, make sure you’re well versed on the subject. If there’s something you’re passionate about, learn about it and speak about it, absolutely. If you’re not well versed on it, it’s probably not a good thing to say anything about it. You’re going to back yourself into a corner."
Warriors coach Steve Kerr fined $25K for outburst Tribune news services
Warriors coach Steve Kerr is sorry he swore — more than once — at a referee. He knows how hard that job must be.
Kerr was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Monday for his outburst directed at official Bill Spooner late in the third quarter of Golden State’s three-point overtime loss at Sacramento on…
Warriors coach Steve Kerr is sorry he swore — more than once — at a referee. He knows how hard that job must be.
Kerr was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Monday for his outburst directed at official Bill Spooner late in the third quarter of Golden State’s three-point overtime loss at Sacramento on…
(Tribune news services)
Kerr said the Warriors talk about current issues occasionally. The presidential election dominated one practice day.
"Sometimes, we’ll show stuff on our film session that might be funny or poignant. It’s not a daily occurrence. But what’s going on in the world is something we do address as a team," Kerr said. "I like that our players are vocal and thoughtful.
"We have a lot of guys who do a ton of work in the community, stuff that people don’t even know about it. David West is amazing. He could be an incredible community leader if he wanted to go down that route. He mentors kids, coaches them. He has an incredibly bright, powerful voice."
In that manner, West evidently takes after his coach.
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