With Steve Kerr missing the majority of the playoffs do to complications arising from back surgery he received back in 2017, there has been a measure of uncertainty when it comes to the head-coach position for the Warriors. It is possible that Kerr will be unable to coach again in these playoffs, yet the Warriors may not be too concerned about that. Kerr has been awarded the luxury of relatively care-free rest due to assistant Mike Brown leading the Warriors to a perfect 12-0 record so far this postseason.
Warriors beat writer for the San Jose Mercury News, Anthony Slater, told Garry and Larry Wednesday that he thinks Kerr may move away from coaching if his health doesn’t improve.
“Let’s say the Warriors do win this title and this offseason and they still can’t figure out the health status of Kerr,” Slater said. “It’s possible Kerr moves to a consultant job with the Warriors next year. Then Mike Brown’s just sitting there like ‘Hey I just won a title give me the job full-time’. That is the best coaching job in the NBA obviously.”
Despite the success Brown has had replacing Kerr in the playoffs, Slater said Brown is only going to leave the Warriors if he finds a similarly enticing coaching gig elsewhere.
“If Kerr is coming back I think Mike Brown is going to be really smart about only going to a place he feels like he can win,” Slater said. “He’s a guy who’s had the experience in Cleveland of going to the Finals, he’s had those bad experiences in LA. He’s not going to go and just try to build [up] a non-contender. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s back regardless [of Kerr’s status] and turns down some lower level coaching jobs to stay the lead assistant if Kerr is even back.”
Listen to the full interview below. For Slater’s comments on Kerr and Brown, skip to the 8:30 mark.
