Steve Kerr knows his way around NBA dynasties. He was a role player on the Chicago Bulls from 1993-98, won two titles with the San Antonio Spurs (1999, 2003), and reached the NBA Finals in all five seasons as a head coach with the Golden State Warriors—winning three more rings.
Of the many differences between the Bulls and Warriors teams, Kerr pointed out a key similarity between the dynasties—the amount of attention they garnered after Kevin Durant jumped on board.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Kerr explained that “The experience is actually very similar. Especially when we signed Kevin Durant and we had this array of talent in the starting lineup. Everywhere we would go there were people outside the hotel,” according to Logan Murdock, Warriors beat writer for NBC Sports.
Prior to the 2018-19 season, Kerr expressed hope that the Warriors campaign wouldn't resemble the “last dance” season the 1997-98 Bulls endured. “I think the difference is with Phil [Jackson] in '98 we all were free agents and we all knew we were all going to be gone, including Phil…But we're not in that same position. We do have plenty of free agents, but we're not looking at this as the final dance. Like I said, we want to have some fun and enjoy what we have this year and move on from there.”
Of course, Kerr's wish didn't exactly come true. The Warriors dealt with internal tension between Durant and Draymond Green related to Durant's uncertain future, lost to the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Finals, then saw Durant sign with the Brooklyn Nets.
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