Goodbye TNT: Steve Kerr to coach the Warriors

[Stress Fracture]

Steve Kerr has reached agreement on a five-year, $25 million contract to coach the Golden State Warriors, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Kerr passed on an opportunity to coach the New York Knicks and rejoin his former coach Phil Jackson, who is now running New York's front office.

The Warriors management group lost out on Stan Van Gundy when he accepted a $35 million deal Tuesday to run the Detroit Pistons, and flew to Oklahoma City the same day to meet with Kerr. The Warriors left more convinced of Kerr's readiness to coach the franchise, league sources said, and Kerr had a chance to further familiarize himself with the entire Warriors front office.

Here:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/steve-kerr ... 52432.html

Wonder what the Knicks' plans are.

[Kevin]

Why the warriors? Damn it.

[Andrew]

That's certainly an interesting turn of events, as it seemed almost a sure thing that Kerr was intent on teaming up with Phil Jackson in New York. I have to imagine that the concerns about the atmosphere surrounding the Knicks and Dolan's tendency to meddle ultimately turned Kerr away from reuniting with his former coach, though the Warriors having a more promising roster probably doesn't hurt either.

It remains to be seen how well Kerr will fare in the coaching ranks, but he's in a pretty good situation. As for the Knicks, you definitely have to wonder where they're going to look next.

[NovU]

I don't know if Kerr is an upgrade over Mark Jackson for the Warriors. Honestly I'd rather have seen him as a Knicks coach. Would have been more interesting.

That's certainly an interesting turn of events, as it seemed almost a sure thing that Kerr was intent on teaming up with Phil Jackson in New York. I have to imagine that the concerns about the atmosphere surrounding the Knicks and Dolan's tendency to meddle ultimately turned Kerr away from reuniting with his former coach, though the Warriors having a more promising roster probably doesn't hurt either.

I wonder if this has anything to do with Phil's failed pitch to Melo regarding the coach situation. Perhaps Melo wasn't content about Kerr especially since he comes with zero experience? Or perhaps Kerr wasn't enough of a bait for Melo so Phil's going for a plan B.

Well... too bad for the Knicks imo.

[Andrew]

According to this article, the Knicks made a few concessions in their negotiations including guaranteeing a fourth year on the contract, so it sounds like Kerr was the one who walked away.

[Sauru]

looks like kerr really wanted a 5 year deal. warriors gave it to him so there you have it. i never liked jackson as a coach but it remains to be seen how well kerr does

[[Q]]

and now Mark Jackson pushes hard for the NY job

[Alpha_]

Mark Jackson to NYK.

[benji]

It always comes back to food with you Clark.

[_Steve_]

Maybe Kerr was just smart enough to avoid having Dolan around him. Wise move. Still I'm a bit surprised that Kerr isn't going to join his mentor...

[Andrew]

Just goes to show how unappealing Dolan causes the Knicks to appear to potential employees, I suppose.

[Phil89]

I like Kerr and wish him well, but why are NBA owners giving out 5 year contracts to inexperienced coaches?

I can understand wanting to lock star players into long term deals, but coaches in top level sport are so expendable these days. Just seems like a risky financial move in this era when owners sack coaches so eagerly.

[[Q]]

He lives in San Diego, so staying in California was a plus too. and curry > melo. lacob > dolan

[benji]

I like Kerr and wish him well, but why are NBA owners giving out 5 year contracts to inexperienced coaches?

I can understand wanting to lock star players into long term deals, but coaches in top level sport are so expendable these days. Just seems like a risky financial move in this era when owners sack coaches so eagerly.

It's because of that, coaches with longer term deals have far more leverage. Unless you're Mike Brown it's a lot harder for the players and management to toss you out on a whim over tiny things.

And coaches getting fired regularly isn't new to this era, it's just that everybody terrible for a while seemed to rotate between Bill Fitch, Gene Shue, Don Chaney, Kevin Loughery and Chris Ford. The modern era has realized "hey, maybe instead of hiring these same losers over and over again because they have EXPERIENCE we should try one of these assistants from the Spurs or one whose teams kept finishing top five in defense like Tom Thibodeau or a heady player like Hornacek."

[NovU]

According to this article, the Knicks made a few concessions in their negotiations including guaranteeing a fourth year on the contract, so it sounds like Kerr was the one who walked away.

Makes me wonder if this affects Melo's decision in any way. Also who'll get the love call from Phil Jackson now?

[Andrew]

Jud Buechler, of course.

[benji]

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... head-coach

Two down and Hoiberg is rumored.

[Jeffx]

Knicks have a shitty roster, no cap relief, no draft pick, and a horrible owner who's created a toxic corporate culture at the Garden. He had people in his ear (probably Marv) warning him about the Knicks and the way they operate. Kerr made the smart move.

Possible candidates - Ron Harper, Kurt Rambis, Bill Cartwright, Derek Fisher, Mark Jackson, Lionel Hollins

[YaoKnowWhat_I_Ming]

Secretly hoping Marc Jackson doesn't land a job this year. Back to the booth with Jeff Van Gundy!

[Andrew]

I'm not a fan of his commentary myself, but it appears you'll get your wish.

[NovU]

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