Returning after an 11-game absence for yet another win and two away from a second NBA championship in the last three years, Steve Kerr took some time to reflect on the start of his three years at the helm of the Golden State Warriors.

Kerr credited former coach Mark Jackson for instilling the blueprint of the defense they now display in a game-to-game basis, transforming a shot-happy run-and-gun team into a more efficient defensive team.

Jackson took the Warriors job in 2011 and was part of the experiment of bringing Stephen Curry to the forefront along with Klay Thompson, quickly coming into their own as one of the most exciting backcourt duos in the league.

The longtime color commentator and NBA analyst had no prior coaching experience, but was a radical change from Don Nelson and Keith Smart — becoming the first coach to put the team over .500 since 1995.

Jackson was able to tap into the defensive potential of Defensive Player of the Year candidate Draymond Green, task which Kerr continued when taking over the driver's seat in 2014-15.