“That’s Insanity”: Warriors Have Found Steve Kerr’s Replacement But 34YO Star Remains Uncertain About The Job

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is one of the most recognizable faces of the modern NBA. After gaining recognition as a player in the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls, he rose to prominence after becoming the chief instructor of the Warriors and leading them to over 4 championship wins in just 10 years. His contribution to the franchise during their most successful period in NBA history has earned him numerous accolades. With such an entity being a part of the Warriors, questions have often been raised over whether there is someone who can be a good enough replacement for Kerr in the distant future. Team owner Joe Lacob may have already made his pick.

A few hours ago, Warriors power forward Draymond Green sat down for an interview on DraftKings’ ‘Point Game’ segment. During the same, he highlighted how Joe Lacob once approached the player, saying, “Yo, when you’re done, I could see you one day coaching this team when Steve’s done”. Despite the fact that the Warriors star is just 34 years old and still has some valuable time remaining as a player, the owner already had a backup plan ready for him. Green stated that Lacob’s remark “means the world” to him. At the same time, however, he wasn’t sure that he could ever rise to the same level as Steve Kerr.

“Steve Kerr is my coach, the guy who’s been coaching this organization for 10 years is Steve Kerr,” said Green. “He’s a Hall of Fame coach, you’re watching him and saying ‘I think that can one day be Draymond’, that’s insanity”. The player stated that he is honored that many people, including Joe Lacob, would willingly like to see him in a coaching position. However, this is a scenario in which he currently holds zero interest. Because he has been on a ‘basketball schedule’ for the majority of his life, Green stated that the same is not someone that he would want to follow after retirement as well.

Job Lacob choosing Draymond Green as Steve Kerr’s potential replacement would come as a surprise to many. After all, no other Warriors player has reportedly created more trouble for himself on the court than this one. From getting in fights with friends and teammates to committing intentional fouls, Green does not really carry a reputation for being a disciplined athlete. In fact, during the 2023-24 season itself, he was suspended for 17 days after putting Rudy Godbert in a headlock and then striking Jusuf Nurkić within a one-month gap. However, all of this does not change the fact that Green is still an exceptional player who is a vital component of the Warriors’ defensive roster.

“This is Trash”: Draymond Green was initially not a big fan of Steve Kerr’s methods

After a 10-year gap, in which they secured four championship rings and set the record for the most wins ever in a regular season, the Warriors roster would seldom have any doubts about Steve Kerr’s capabilities. However, this feeling did not persist when he replaced Mark Jackson as head coach back in 2014. This is because a new coach brings with him a new system, and makes changes that can be difficult for players to adapt to within a limited time frame. The golden trio of Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson certainly felt this.

“With Steve coming in to implement his office and it’s just ball movement,” said Green during a recent segment of ‘The Draymond Green Show’ podcast. “Originally, we don’t quite understand. We’re just out there like, ‘Oh man…,’ like I remember the grunts and like everybody’s like, ‘Yo, this is trash. He just keep telling us to pass the ball’”.

But this took a U-turn once they started to understand each other. Green feels that through proper understanding and patience, they were able to develop a better relationship. In an older interview, this is what Green had to say about Kerr: “We understand that we have a very similar fire, he knows how to press my buttons, he knows when I need to be pulled aside and talked to, I know when I need to pull him aside and talk to him. I think the way our relationship has changed over the years or developed over the years, there’s just a huge sense of trust, there’s a great understanding of each other and we rely on each other.”

Kerr teaches him things that nobody else does. He coaches him and gives him a new perspective on the court that he really needs to score. But more importantly, he helps him and leads him to leverage new heights. Both Kerr and Green have grown tremendously together and done some really incredible things. So even though trust wasn’t there at first, over the years Kerr has made that safe space in Green’s mind and heart.

Green knows that he’s not someone easy to coach. He is not easier on the coaches, so being patient with someone like Green and understanding his point of view, also led Kerr to be in his good books over the years. Today, despite being opposites in their strategy, they have developed a mature relationship. So, with all this knowledge, if Green ever decides to make the plunge, he will know what to do.

Well, we can’t wait to see Draymond Green leading a new Warriors trio to achieve new heights in the future. We will have to wait for that to happen, till then, we can see what Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent says about the marketing genius. Watch this video: