2024-08-20 13:00:02
One of the most accomplished people in basketball history spoke Monday at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors and member of the iconic ’90s Chicago Bulls, took the stage shortly after 8 p.m.
Here’s what to know about him.
Steve Kerr is supporter of Harris and stricter gun laws
Kerr, 58, is no stranger to weighing in on politics after post-game press conferences.
In 2022, he gave an impassioned plea for gun control after a Texas school shooter killed 19 children and two adults in Uvalde, Texas. He has been publicly critical of former President Donald Trump.
He endorsed President Joe Biden prior to the president’s departure from the race. Kerr said he has a friendly relationship with Vice President Kamala Harris, who is from California, where Kerr has lived for the last decade.
In 2017, after the Warriors won an NBA championship, the players decided not to visit Trump or the White House. Trump would say the players weren’t invited.
Born and raised in the Middle East
Kerr was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to a Lebanese-born American father, who was an academic that specialized in the Middle East. He grew up mostly in Lebanon and other countries but attended Palisades Charter High School in Los Angeles, graduating in 1983.
Minimally recruited out of high school, Kerr played college basketball at the University of Arizona from 1983 to 1988. During the summer of 1986, he competed for the U.S. national team. While in college, he established himself as an elite 3-point shooter.
Member of the ’90s Bulls as a 3-point specialist
Kerr was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the 1988 draft. He was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers after his rookie season and later the Orlando Magic.
In 1993, everything changed when Kerr signed with the Chicago Bulls, who recently won three titles in the row. His first two seasons were mostly without Michael Jordan as MJ was briefly retired from basketball and trying baseball.
Eventually, MJ sent his iconic “I’m back” notice out and championship-level play returned to Chicago. As the story goes, the Bulls went on to win another three championships, in which Kerr played a key role as a 3-point specialist. Kerr won the 3-point contest at all-star weekend in 1997.
The Bulls’ brass broke up the team and coaching staff following their sixth championship and MJ retired again. Kerr was then acquired by the San Antonio Spurs in a sign-and-trade deal.
Being part of high-level basketball remained with Kerr and the Spurs, who won the 1999 NBA Finals. In 2001, Kerr was traded to Portland Trail Blazers and then traded back to Spurs about a year later. The Spurs went on to win the 2003 NBA Finals, giving Kerr five rings as a player. Kerr announced his retirement shortly thereafter.
Broadcaster and general manager briefly
After his playing career, Kerr went into broadcasting and provided his voice to in-game commentary in video games.
He also had a small ownership role with the Phoenix Suns, before becoming the team’s general manager in 2007. After three years, he left the Suns as president of basketball operations and returned to broadcasting.
Historic legacy with the Warriors
In 2014, Kerr became head coach of the Golden State Warriors. Over the last decade, the Warriors dominated the Western Conference for much of it, led by Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, they became a dynasty, winning four championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022).
As part of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team, Kerr was named one of the greatest 15 coaches in NBA history.
Kerr continues to coach the Warriors, who recently moved on from Thompson and haven’t been able to play elite basketball the past two seasons.
Won gold as Team U.S.A. head coach
Kerr succeeded his old coach Gregg Popovich as head coach of the U.S. national team in 2021. He was an assistant on the gold-medal winning 2020 Olympic team and recently led the U.S. to gold again earlier this month at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
NBA reporter Marc Stein reported Sunday that Kerr may step down as head coach of the national team.
