Like any other intelligent person would have, Steve Kerr spoke to a number of people before he made his decision to sign a deal with the Golden State Warriors instead of the New York Knicks. As we learn more about his decision making process, it seems like Kerr was advised more than once to steer clear of the Knicks. Is that what Gregg Popovich told him?
On Tuesday, Popovich and Kerr told Marc Berman of the New York Post that they spoke before Kerr made his decision but would not go into detail. Pop simply said “friends talk” while Kerr had a similar message.
“We talked, but I’m not going to tell you what he said,” Kerr told Berman.
Phil Jackson irritated many people within the Spurs community last month when he said that they aren’t a dynasty despite their three championships in a five-year span and four total since 1999. We’re guessing a comment like that would be enough to lose Pop’s endorsement.
[Related: Warriors cautioned Steve Kerr about working for James Dolan]
Kerr was a part of two of San Antonio’s championship teams, and Popovich thinks very highly of him.
“He’s quite an intelligent young man,” Popovich said. “He’s been around. He’s seen a lot. He’s seen enough to know what he wants to do and what he doesn’t want to do. He’s great with interpersonal relationships. He’s a hard worker. He’s obviously a close friend, but I think on a professional level he’ll dive in and do everything he can, beginning with forming a staff and trying to do everything the right way. I’m excited for him.”
Kerr is a grown man who made his own decisions, and we already know he had a desire to remain closer to his family in California. That said, it wouldn’t have hurt the Knicks’ case if influential people who are close to Kerr vouched for New York. It doesn’t sound like anyone did that.
Also see: Knicks reportedly lost out on Steve Kerr because of lowball offer
H/T LBS tipster David
