Warriors coach Steve Kerr widely has been regarded as one of the well-respected leaders in the NBA.
As many of the players, such as stars Steph Curry and Draymond Green, who have played under Kerr would attest to, the four-time NBA champion coach has a way to build and maintain relationships with people within Golden State’s organization.
With so much success since becoming an NBA coach ahead of the 2014-15 season, Kerr revealed the one trait that makes him thrive as the leader of the Warriors’ locker room.
“I know that I connect with our guys pretty well,” Kerr said on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs” show. “I can really, really relate to guys six through 15, you know, because that was my life in 15 years in the league. I knew I hadn’t started many games, but I found out the other day, I started [in] 30 games in 15 years.
“So, I really connect with the guys who are on the fringe of the rotation or coming off the bench. And then I think I learned a lot about star players and what they face, watching Michael [Jordan], Scottie [Pippen], Tim Duncan, David Robinson [and] all those guys. And so seeing how Phil [Jackson] handled Michael and Scottie, how [Gregg Popovich] related to [Duncan] and David, I understood the power of those relationships.
“And I think that’s really crucial and I learned that just during my experience with various teams and as I went through and saw things I like, things I didn’t like, and ultimately I knew I had to be my own guy, but I took a ton from all the coaches who I played for.”
“I know that I connect with our guys pretty well. I can relate to guys 6-15 ’cause that was my life…I started 30 games in 15 years, so I really connect with the guys who are on the fringe of the rotation.” 🤝
– Steve Kerr on his best attribute as a coach (via @WillardAndDibs). pic.twitter.com/esdH4nIub5
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) March 17, 2026
Kerr played for the Chicago Bulls under Jackson from 1993 to 1998, where he won three NBA championships and for the San Antonio Spurs under Popovich from 1998 to 2001 and during the 2002-03 season, where he added two more NBA titles.
A 15-year NBA veteran, Kerr mostly played as a backup role player, only starting in 30 regular-season and three playoff games. With all of his experiences as a player, Kerr successfully has translated the knowledge he gained into coaching, a career in which he’s also won four NBA championships.
Kerr earned his 600th regular-season win on Monday following Golden State’s 125-117 win over the Washington Wizards, making him the fourth fastest NBA coach to ever reach that milestone.
Along with all of his success coaching on the court, Kerr also will always be remembered as one of the more genuinely kind coaches in all the NBA.
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