Steve Kerr had a funny reason for being happy about the Denver Nuggets’ win on Saturday night.
Kerr’s Golden State Warriors beat the Los Angeles Lakers 115-101, while the Nuggets beat the Timberwolves 107-106. Both teams now have a 37-15 record. What does that mean? The teams are tied for the best record in the West, went 1-1 head-to-head, but Denver has a 1/2 game better record against teams in the West to break a tie with Golden State (through games played by Feb. 3). That makes Nuggets head coach Mike Malone the head coach for the “Team LeBron” All-Star team.
Kerr is pretty happy not to have to make the trip to Charlotte for the All-Star Game and was celebrating the news of Denver’s win.
Kerr, after being told Nuggets beat T’Wolves, cracks small smile at podium and says: “Take care guys. Have fun in Charlotte.” Then he walks out of interview with larger smile on his face and arms held over his head as support staff cheers outside the door and yells “San Diego!”
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 3, 2019
Steve Kerr's press conference ended right as the Nuggets won. I told him. He got a huge smile: "Have fun in Charlotte." Walked out of the room hyped, hands raised, to a hallway of celebratory coaches/families.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 3, 2019
On the contrary, here was the celebration in Denver’s locker room:
Coach Malone got quite the celebration from the locker room after tonight's win and him being named a coach of the All-Star game!#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/PIZF6KuNK4
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 3, 2019
The honor of being able to coach the All-Star team probably means a lot more for Malone than it does for Kerr, who is probably used to all the success and accolades by now. It’s all working out just about the way it should.
