SAN FRANCISCO — Steve Kerr placed on his ninth NBA championship ring on Tuesday night time, because of the Warriors’ 2022 NBA title.
Solely a handful of individuals in NBA historical past have extra. Amongst them are Invoice Russell (11) with the Boston Celtics and Phil Jackson (11) as a coach with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. Kerr’s success spans 5 a long time, having received 5 as a participant with the Bulls and San Antonio Spurs and now 4 because the Warriors head coach.
“Provided that I usually put on all of them every day, I hope this one enhances the others,” Kerr joked earlier than the Warriors’ opening night time sport towards Los Angeles.
No, Kerr hasn’t worn all eight rings on his arms simply to admire them. Possibly with a ninth one — with one finger left to carry one other — he’ll put all of them on and absorb what he’s completed. Most of his rings are in a security deposit field, he stated. Some are at dwelling. If he doesn’t put all of them on, he’ll not less than get these rings collectively to have a look at them.
“It sounds sort of smug, I suppose, however I have to,” Kerr stated.
The Warriors enter Tuesday’s ring night time because the comeback children, of types. After two down years amid the pandemic, Steph Curry led Golden State’s cost again to the mountaintop.
“I’ve by no means had a foul ring night time. I’m actually excited for tonight,” Kerr stated. “Excited for our followers, our gamers, our entire group. It’s such an important celebration of one thing that’s exhausting to perform. It’s necessary that we acknowledge the accomplishment, hold the banner, hand out the rings and it’s formally time to maneuver onto the season.”
Ring night time this 12 months begins Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Inexperienced and Andre Iguodala’s quest to win a fifth title collectively. It begins a journey to take action with a youthful crew than they’ve had in earlier contending years.
“Coming off of the place we have been the earlier two seasons, I actually do really feel like we received the title final 12 months not regardless of the earlier two years, however in some ways due to the earlier two years,” Kerr stated.
“You simply go play. There isn’t an entire lot I can say so far as earlier than we head out it’ll be enjoyable and emotional. A loss received’t take away from the achievement, however it might be extra enjoyable if we go forward and win the sport. That’s the intention, however regardless now we have 81 left after this and we’ll transfer ahead.”
However earlier than the Warriors’ opening night time sport towards the Lakers, Kerr briefly paused to replicate.
“After I give it some thought, it’s extra simply how surreal it feels than something,” Kerr stated. “After I was drafted in 1988, I used to be simply hoping to make the crew in Phoenix and perhaps make it within the league for a pair years. The journey I’ve been on has been far fetched and unlikely. I believe extremely fortuitous when it comes to the those who have affected me and influenced me within the sport. Having the ability to play with (Michael) Jordan, (Tim) Duncan, to be coached by Phil (Jackson), Pop (Gregg Popovich) and Lenny Wilkens, Lute Olson. It’s like I’m going to get up and it’s not going to be actual. Attempt to remind myself to maintain having fun with each second.”