“We know this isn't going forever…We're in the final stages” – Steve Kerr acknowledges the inevitable future of Warriors’ dynasty
Steve Kerr acknowledged that his Golden State Warriors’ squad only has a few seasons left as a dynasty as the big three in Golden State continue to age.
Steph Curry and the defending NBA champions have started the season a bit rocky. Golden State (6-8) has yet to win a road game (0-7) as they sit 11th in the Western Conference.
With that in mind, Kerr said that the Warriors' dynasty will inevitably come to an end.
The dynasty that is the big three of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green is responsible for the last four championships for the Warriors.
Curry is 34 years old, and Thompson and Green are both 32. Their coach may be correct in stating the dynasty is soon to end.
All three players have not shown any signs of slowing down soon, even Thompson, who is fresh off a large injury. Kerr staying aware of the situation and his future is a sign of his veteran coaching.
Being a nine-time champion with five titles coming from his time playing in the league shows his basketball intelligence. Understanding when to swallow the truth of such a wonderful dynasty coming to an end is another level.
Kerr is no stranger to seeing something like this happen, though. Having been a part of the 1996-98 Chicago Bulls, he gained experience within a showtime dynasty.
Of course, Golden State proved itself just last season. And LeBron James, who turns 38 in late December, has shown that superstars today can continue to play regardless of their age, so there truly is no telling.
Kerr is just playing it safe in understanding the probabilities of the future so he can prepare for anything. A good coach understands that he cannot hold onto a dynasty forever and hope the players will produce the same.
Four championships since 2015 with the same core players is a respectable feat for Kerr. The Warriors’ dynasty has been one of the best since the early 2000 LA Lakers or the 1990s Chicago Bulls. Both teams knew when to move on from their cores.
“We know this isn’t going on forever," Kerr said. "This could be the last year, maybe next year is the last year. We’re in the final stages. We know that.”
“We know this isn't going forever. This could be the last year, maybe next year is the last year. We're in the final stages. We know that.”
- Steve Kerr on the Warriors
(Via ESPN) https://t.co/mMpYrHqAQe
Steve Kerr's experience with showtime dynasties
Kerr was a part of what was considered arguably the best bench in the league during the 1995-96 season with the Chicago Bulls.
That year, Michael Jordan won his eighth scoring title, and Dennis Rodman got his fifth straight rebounding title. Steve Kerr finished second in 3-point shooting.
It was Jordan’s first full season back, joining Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman joined for another championship three-peat. The streak started that year, when Chicago beat the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1997 NBA Finals.
The squad then finished 1996-97 season one win short of a consecutive 70-win season. The Bulls finished 69-13, winning their second championship in a row, this time over John Stockton and Karl Malone’s Utah Jazz.
The third and final championship came when the Bulls beat the Jazz once again in 1998.
After that season, Jordan retired once again, and general manager Jerry Krause started to question the future of the team. Knowing they were aging and starting to bring limitations, Krause traded Scottie Pippen and decided not to re-sign Dennis Rodman.
Steve Kerr was traded for draft picks to the San Antonio Spurs and went on to help the team to win its first championship.
Having been part of one of history’s greatest basketball squads all the way to watching them age and dissipate gives Kerr a level of understanding that some coaches may not have.
Kerr has seen greatness on the floor. He’s been a part of it. He has a firsthand account of the natural decline of a dynasty, regardless of the talent.
The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls are regarded as one of the best teams in league history, and Kerr was a part of it all.
The Golden State Warriors now stand in much the same light that the ’96 Bulls did, and Kerr watched what happened there.
Kerr even moved to the Spurs and went right back to the championship. He saw the remnants of Chicago after he supported what was once one of the best trios in history in the same city.
With all of this experience, if there will be any coach who knows when the end of his dynasty is coming, it should be Kerr.