Going from good to great isn’t an overnight process — but the Golden State Warriors showed that it could take a single coaching move to change the culture and charisma of a franchise. Despite ongoing criticism in the summer of 2014 to fire popular head coach Mark Jackson, the Warriors took two steps forward and have a potential dynasty in the making after hiring Steve Kerr. Unlike Jackson, Kerr has established and continues to develop his whole coaching core as one of the best, if not, the best in the league. Last year he was robbed, but this year… Kerr should be the Coach of the Year.
Going from good to great isn’t easy, but going from great to beyond is the most difficult task in all of sports. The Warriors had a remarkable 67 win season in 2014-15 and won the NBA title in Kerr’s first season at helm. He preached the importance of ball movement, defense, and having a winning culture. Playing alongside Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and having ties to Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich has made Kerr one of the biggest winners in the NBA history whether it’s from a player, front office member, or coaching standpoint.
After having multiple surgeries and procedures to his ailing back in the offseason, Kerr dealt with pain and severe headaches that made him unable to coach the team from the bench and missing several practices. The Warriors let the 50-year-old take his time to recover, handing off interim head coach duties to newly assigned assistant, Luke Walton. Walton, who was supposed to fill the void of former assistant, Alvin Gentry, was given even bigger shoes to fill with the departure of Kerr just weeks prior to the season.
Golden State opened the year better than imagined, 24-0, the best start of all-time. The team was playing well under Walton, despite his rookie mistakes from time to time. As some called it, Walton was the best “substitute teacher” there was. Credit goes to Walton for staying ready, not complaining, and embracing the role for what it was. However, Kerr deserves credit as well. He holds everyone on his staff accountable for their actions and being prepared for games just as much as he does his players — from Ron Adams to Nick U’Ren. The Warriors still ran plays and schemes that Kerr designed.
Walton’s biggest flaw was obviously inexperience. He did an admirable job for the position that he was put in, but the team’s rotations, timeout management, and lack of discipline hurt them at times and nearly cost them games. The Warriors went 43 and 4 under Walton, so there isn’t that much to nitpick at. He’s earned himself tons of money this offseason when franchises in need of a head coach will reach out to him.
Kerr returned to the sidelines on January 22nd and the Warriors looked even better, as if that were possible. They have lost only three games since he came back and the offensive flow continues to improve. Golden State is averaging more points under Kerr than they did under Walton at 116.7 compared to 114.6. They are also averaging more assists with Kerr 29.5 per game compared to 28.9. And their turnovers have decreased under Kerr with 14.5 compared to 15.3 a game. The changes might look minor, but it’s incredibly difficult to get even better and the Dubs did just that.To go from not coaching at all, taking medication, and not traveling with the team for the most part to joining them and making a basketball clinic even better is not simple. Kerr’s preparation, intelligence, and ability to lead a team has made Golden State arguably the best team of all-time. You would think the Warriors would come back down to earth eventually, but now it appears that this is what they truly are — a phenomenal basketball team that you’ll tell your grandchildren about one day.
Mike Budenholzer won Coach of the Year last season despite the Warriors winning 67 games. The Hawks are now a 44-30 team with little sense of direction. Terry Stotts has done an incredible job in Portland and has the Trail Blazers over-achieving, but they are still barely above a .500 record. Dwane Casey has The 6 excited about their Raptors, but despite the high level’s they’ve played at this season, they remain second to the disgruntled Cleveland Cavaliers. Gregg Popovich will be in this discussion until he retires, but the Warriors are five games ahead of the Spurs in the standings and the domination that they showed in their meeting at Oracle Arena compared to the Spurs narrow victory in San Antonio was more impressive.
From 67 wins to potentially 72 and above is an outstanding feat that might not ever be topped again in NBA history. Last year, he should have won. This year, he needs to win. Steve Kerr deserves to be the Coach of the Year, alongside the best player in the world, Stephen Curry, they’re making a mark in the basketball record books. The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors will be remembered forever. Give that man an overdue trophy.