Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has had a front-row seat to greatness in two different eras, first alongside Michael Jordan in Chicago, and now with Steph Curry in the Bay.
Kerr broke down the similarities and differences between the two legends.
“It’s the most amazing mindset that I’ve ever seen, Michael had a similar mindset,” Kerr said speaking on the Glue Guys Podcast. “But Michael’s mindset appeared to be more of a desire to kill an opponent, to just stick the knife in and twist it. Steph is more about the joy of the act of shooting the ball. You know, and that’s what makes it so beautiful to watch Steph.”
Even at 37 years old, Curry remains one of the league’s elite, and Kerr believes his mentality is a big reason why.
“It’s like he’s an artist out there and he loves what he does so much, and there’s this flow and grace and beauty combined with this competitive desire and confidence to just take every shot and not worry about the repercussions,” Kerr explained.
“They’re similar in their self-confidence, self-belief. Different in that I think Michael’s much more calculating. I don’t think Steph’s so calculating, I just think his ability to get into the rhythm, into the flow, into the zone, psychologically, emotionally, however you want to say it, was so unique… Whereas with Michael, it’s more of an announced dominance. It’s like, ‘I’m here, and I’m going to own the space and the arena.’”
Kerr also made it clear just how much Curry has contributed to his own career.
“I’m well aware that the reason I’m still here is because Steph Curry is still here,” Kerr admitted. “I’m not being modest, I’m just telling the truth… If I didn’t have Steph, I would have been like every other NBA coach and lasted a few years, and then gone somewhere else and coached somewhere else.
“So, I’m incredibly lucky to have this partnership with Steph and he provides this stability and continuity with the organization that just makes everybody’s job easier.”
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