Steve Kerr...the "hot" coaching candidate lol

[Revived]

Anyone else find it funny that every team with a coaching vacancy is trying to kiss up and impress Steve Kerr to hire him as HC?

No HC experience, failed tenure as GM and no assistant coaching experience either. Basically, he has as much experience as Mark Jackson did when he got hired.

I read a report that Kerr wants $7M/yr contract over a 5 year period fom the Knicks. LOL. Even Hornacek only got $2M to coach the Suns last summer.

Nobody talked about Kerr as a coaching candidate ever before til this summer after reports came out that Phil Jackson wants to implement the triangle (LOL) and wants Kerr to coach it to the players.

Since when did Steve Kerr become the next biggest thing?

Maybe its just me but Kerr's a great analyst but from everything that I have seen and heard of him, I can't see him making it as a HC.

Yall thoughts on Steve Kerr possibly being hired as HC?

[thamadkant]

Phil Jackson effect...

Also Kerr's tenure as a GM is stained by Sarver's meddling days.

Kerr wasn't bad as a GM.. He was just compromised by ownership.

[bigfoot]

Kerr with five championship rings. Coached by two of the greatest coaches of all-time in Pops and Jackson. High basketball IQ. I'm sure he can handle a head coaching job. Not sure about $7M per year but maybe the going rate in NYC.

[bwgood77]

I think he may end up being a good coach, but he is far from proven and isn't worth that much money. If Jackson wasn't after him, I doubt any other team would have even thought of going after him.

Under Jackson it makes sense too, because Jackson was a coach, and Kerr can lean on him and get direction from him if needed. But GS? Why hire a rookie coach if you are trying to become championship caliber? I know Brooklyn did but at least they had a bunch of guys that had won championships or been in the playoffs multiple times under guys like Rivers, Sloan, etc, so they probably didn't need nearly the direction that the GS players need.

[Miklo]

So the way I see it, the "coaching market" is highly speculative. When looking for a new HC, the smart teams go by team needs and personalities specific to their organization. But at any given point in time, there are probably about 5 teams that play the coach hiring game wisely. For the rest, there seems to be a lot of artificial inflation/deflation of value. Once one team leaks that they are going after a guy, all of a sudden there are at least 2 other serious contenders - who it seems, and I'm guessing accurately so, didn't even have that name on their radar before team 1 started their pursuit. And like others have said, lots of times this sudden interest really has nothing to do with team makeup or needs. There really does seem to be an element of "this one's hot right now, let's try to get the hottest rising coach in the league".

I remember years ago, before Terry Porter, some of us around these boards were talking about guys like Tom Thibodeau or Paul Silas as coaching candidates. At the time, no teams had much interest. But in typical ebb and flow fashion, both of those names have gotten more and/or less popular since then. It's not like either of them suddenly developed or lost a skill set, right? This is the type of stuff that has me convinced that head coaching is like a stock market trading environment of sorts.

[bigfoot]

I think he may end up being a good coach, but he is far from proven and isn't worth that much money. If Jackson wasn't after him, I doubt any other team would have even thought of going after him.

Under Jackson it makes sense too, because Jackson was a coach, and Kerr can lean on him and get direction from him if needed. But GS? Why hire a rookie coach if you are trying to become championship caliber? I know Brooklyn did but at least they had a bunch of guys that had won championships or been in the playoffs multiple times under guys like Rivers, Sloan, etc, so they probably didn't need nearly the direction that the GS players need.

You have to ask yourself why Phil Jackson would be going after an unproven coach? Kerr played in Jackson's system for the Bulls. Jackson has witnessed Kerr's work ethic, demeanor, and basketball IQ. Jackson has eleven championship rings. He knows how to mentally prepare and work with difficult players. My guess is he sees the ingredients of a high quality coach in Kerr which is why he wants him. The question is Kerr willing to be an extension of Jackson for a few years to learn more under his tutelage?

[Scutt]

Anyone else find it funny that every team with a coaching vacancy is trying to kiss up and impress Steve Kerr to hire him as HC?

No HC experience, failed tenure as GM and no assistant coaching experience either.

What I find funny is that you would say this being a Suns fan. Steve Kerr drafted both Robin Lopez and Goran Dragic in the same year with the 15th and 45th picks. Despite Suns fans strange dislike for him, Lopez averaged 12,9, and 2 this year and is a defensive anchor for Portland. We all know how Goran turned out, he should have been an all-star this year. Kerr traded for J Rich and assembled the team in 2010 that made a run to the western conference finals. That 2010 team was my favorite to watch as a fan, they might not have been the most talented of those Nash led Suns teams, but everyone knew their position and played their role. It was a joy to watch them develop over that season, and I have to give Steve Kerr credit for that.

I know the Kurt Thomas and picks trade was a horrible move, but he did that early on and I think that was at Sarver's urging. Steve Kerr clearly has an eye for talent and was a pretty successful gm. Add that to the fact that he has championship experience as a player, and was coached by some of the best ever (Phil and Pop), I would say the interest in him is justified.

[Revived]

Steve Kerr clearly has an eye for talent and was a pretty successful gm. Add that to the fact that he has championship experience as a player, and was coached by some of the best ever (Phil and Pop), I would say the interest in him is justified.

Kerr with five championship rings. Coached by two of the greatest coaches of all-time in Pops and Jackson. High basketball IQ. I'm sure he can handle a head coaching job. Not sure about $7M per year but maybe the going rate in NYC.

Ok if this is all true then why didn't anyone give a damn about Steve Kerr prior to this season? Did he get coached by Pops and Jackson and win his rings recently? Nope.

Why didn't the Bobcats have interest in him? Why didn't the Celtics have interest in him? Why didn't the Hawks have interest in him? Why didn't the Lakers have interest in him? Why didn't the Nuggets have interest in him? Why didn't the Grizzlies have interest in him? Why didn't the Warriors have interest in him before hiring Mark Jackson? Why didn't the Clippers have interest in him before trading for Doc Rivers?

If Kerr is as great and qualified as you guys say he is, why didn't a single team have interest in him as coach or GM (if you consider him such a successful GM) before Phil Jackson expressed interest in him?

Did Phil Jackson make all the other teams read the history books and learn about Steve Kerr's accomplishments or something? I don't get it.

[Jdiddy701]

I agree. I find it funny how every team is rumored to want this guy. He doesn't have coaching experience. I don't care about his success as a player. What does that have to do with coaching? I wish him a good career in NY, but I don't see it happening. He will be fired soon, especially if Melo is still on that team.

I really like Kerr and I don't want him to go to NY and be the talk of ESPN every morning and be the blame for the team's drama next season. I already see it coming...

[bwgood77]

I think he may end up being a good coach, but he is far from proven and isn't worth that much money. If Jackson wasn't after him, I doubt any other team would have even thought of going after him.

Under Jackson it makes sense too, because Jackson was a coach, and Kerr can lean on him and get direction from him if needed. But GS? Why hire a rookie coach if you are trying to become championship caliber? I know Brooklyn did but at least they had a bunch of guys that had won championships or been in the playoffs multiple times under guys like Rivers, Sloan, etc, so they probably didn't need nearly the direction that the GS players need.

You have to ask yourself why Phil Jackson would be going after an unproven coach? Kerr played in Jackson's system for the Bulls. Jackson has witnessed Kerr's work ethic, demeanor, and basketball IQ. Jackson has eleven championship rings. He knows how to mentally prepare and work with difficult players. My guess is he sees the ingredients of a high quality coach in Kerr which is why he wants him. The question is Kerr willing to be an extension of Jackson for a few years to learn more under his tutelage?

I totally get why Jackson would want him. He knows him. He knows Kerr is a guy that knows the triangle, works hard, someone who will listen to him when he gives pointers on how to get players to respond and how to coach, etc.

It also makes perfect sense for Kerr.

It doesn't make sense for Kerr OR for GS to want to go after each other. GS obviously wants immediate results and will not be patient, and although he'd be on the west coast where he'd rather live and would be able to coach a team with better players, I'm not sure it would be the right situation for him.

But there is a chance it would or could work there. If he can step in and have an impact like Hornacek did it could work.

The problem is, he could do a fantastic job, win 54 games and still end up with the 4 seed and an extremely tough first round matchup against SA or someone or face injuries or anything like that.

He could do a great job and still lose in the first round in the west. With the Knicks, it would not only be an easier conference, but there would definitely be more patience.

It will be interesting to see how tough the east is next year. I think Atlanta with a healthy Horford could be pretty tough. The young teams could be better, but that's not guaranteed. Chicago could be better with a healthy Rose. Brooklyn is getting older but Lopez will be back. At first I was thinking Kerr could probably get into the playoffs pretty easily in the east but it might not be all that easy.

[lilfishi22]

I think Kerr is a fantastic basketball mind and has the accolades but I don't know how much respect he'll be able to garner from the Knicks players who clearly need someone of high calibre to get them over the top. They all have championship ambitions and were built to contend (in their mind) so they are sort of in a win-pretty-soon mode. I don't know if a coach with zero coaching experience (not even assistant coaching) can come in and gain the respect of guys like Melo and Amare and make them believe in his system. I think a lot of this will ride on PJax's reputation and to believe that he's chosen the right guy.

I do think that if he wants to do this for the long term, he will be a great coach but rookie coaches with contender expectations is a lot to live up to.

[bwgood77]

I think Kerr is a fantastic basketball mind and has the accolades but I don't know how much respect he'll be able to garner from the Knicks players who clearly need someone of high calibre to get them over the top. They all have championship ambitions and were built to contend (in their mind) so they are sort of in a win-pretty-soon mode. I don't know if a coach with zero coaching experience (not even assistant coaching) can come in and gain the respect of guys like Melo and Amare and make them believe in his system. I think a lot of this will ride on PJax's reputation and to believe that he's chosen the right guy.

I do think that if he wants to do this for the long term, he will be a great coach but rookie coaches with contender expectations is a lot to live up to.

Well the Knicks are not anywhere near championship caliber. He just agreed to coach the Warriors anyway. It will certainly be interesting to see how he does.

[Marz11]

He has accepted the Golden State job.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-bas ... aching-job

Phil Jackson is going to be pissed!!

Probably a good move by Kerr to avoid the power struggle that will happen in New York between two total control freaks. Plus Kerr won't be implementing someone elses system and can bring his own ideas.

All the best to him, I have always liked Kerr.

Mark Jackson to TNT?

[lilfishi22]

Warriors is a better fit anyway. I think he can be more of his own man in GS than in NY with PJax looking over his shoulder. Also, he has better players and more the roster is more moveable in GS.

So that's 0-1 for Phil Jackson lol

[Gorilla Warfare]

Maybe BJ Armstrong, Luc Longley, Tony Kukoc, or Jud Buchler want to coach the Knicks...

[Marz11]

The next coach of the Knicks will resemble a Playstation controller with Phil Jackson using it.

Horrible dynamic for a coach.

[NaturalBuns]

Phil Jackson effect...

Also Kerr's tenure as a GM is stained by Sarver's meddling days.

Kerr wasn't bad as a GM.. He was just compromised by ownership.

Flashes of Marion for Shaq.

[Big NBA Fan]

Flashes of Marion for Shaq.

That was NOT his idea. How many more times does that need to be said? It was D'Antoni who supported the move more than anybody after growing tired of Marion's negative attitude and he is the one who convinced Kerr to make the trade even though Kerr had major reservations about it.

The only mistakes that he made that were 100% his fault were Earl Clark and Terry Porter.

Shaq played much better for the Suns than Marion ever did in Miami. Marion underachieved with the Heat and has not even come close to making an All-Star team since leaving Phoenix.

- He missed the playoffs in 2009 and barely lasted in Miami and Toronto

- His team got knocked out of the first round in 2010

- His team got swept in the first round of the 2012 playoffs

- His team missed the playoffs last year

- His team lost in the first round this year

His only truly productive playoff run since he left Phoenix was 2011, which was mainly because Dirk played like the best player on the planet during that run and LeBron disappeared in the Finals.

At-least Shaq made the All-Star team in Phoenix.

[DirtyDez]

I didn't mind the Shaq trade. The game 1 fluke in San Antonio buried us mentally.

I thought he did a nice job of adding J-Rich/Dudley/Hill/Frye/Dragic... It was the Porter hire that i hated.

Kerr's life has been the NBA whether it be playing, GM'ing or announcing so I don't think the lack of coaching experience will be a problem.

[letsgosuns]

A five year, 25 million dollar deal for Kerr? He has never even coached before. I cannot believe they dished out that kind of money for him. That is ridiculous. In all honesty, what is Steve Kerr going to do any better than Mark Jackson anyway? Golden State's team is still based on outscoring their opponent, regardless of what they say about defense. They have no dominant big guys. They got destroyed inside by the Clippers. Andrew Bogut is unfortunately always injured and cannot be relied upon for anything. David Lee is a stat stuffer but hardly a go to guy at all.

What would be considered a successful run for the Warriors with Kerr? A trip to the second round? I do not see them as even being all that much better than the current Suns team.

Mark Jackson led them to the playoffs two years in a row. They won 51 games this year, which was the most regular season wins they have had since the 1991-92 season. He should not have been fired. In fact, I thought they actually overachieved while Jackson has been the coach. The only reason they fired Jackson was because of the falling out he had with that assistant coach, who happened to be the son of one of the co-owners of the team. Pretty dumb to fire a coach that has brought you the most success you have had in over 20 years.