Steve Kerr leads the US national team in a new era: Continuing the tradition

If we think long and hard about draft classes that changed the way the NBA is played, we can think of the 1984 NBA Draft when the Chicago Bulls used their third pick to draft Michael Jordan, the 1996 NBA Draft when Kobe Bryant was selected 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets and then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, the 2003 draft when LeBron James was selected 1st overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the 2009 NBA Draft when Stephen Curry was selected 7th overall by the Golden State Warriors.

But not many think about the 1988 NBA Draft class, the year the Phoenix Suns selected University of Arizona senior Steve Kerr with the 50th overall pick. While players, fans and diehards may not be yelling Kerr’s last name while tossing trash in the nearest dumpster, wearing his trademark sneakers on and off the court or chasing the records he set in various statistical categories, Kerr, in his own way, has shaped the way basketball is played today.

Having won nine NBA championships, five as a player and four as a coach, Kerr is recognized as one of the top 15 coaches of all time and was selected to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. Steve Kerr has left an indelible mark on the world of basketball and will look to build on this legacy by leading the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Kerr played 15 seasons in the NBA, spending time in Cleveland, Orlando, Chicago, San Antonio and Portland before returning to San Antonio and retiring in 2003. He then pursued a career as an analyst and announcer, and after spending some time in the Phoenix front office, he became head coach of the Golden State Warriors in 2014.

Some would argue that Steve Kerr’s success as head coach of the Golden State Warriors was influenced by Phil Jackson’s visionary strategies, Gregg Popovich’s teamwork fundamentals, his ability to understand the game from both the perspective of the player competing for 48 minutes and the coach beside him, and even his championship track record playing with some of the game’s best players over his 15-season career, but one thing cannot be denied: he is prepared for the task ahead.

Kerr made his USA Basketball coaching debut as an assistant coach under head coach Gregg Popovich at the 2019 FIBA ​​World Cup, where the team finished in seventh place after losing to France in the quarterfinals. Kerr will appear again as an assistant coach under head coach Popovich at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where the team won the gold medal.

In December 2021, it was announced that he would become the new head coach of the United States men’s basketball team. His first international match as head coach of the United States men’s national basketball team was the 2023 FIBA ​​World Cup, but the US team again failed to win a medal, losing to Germany in the semifinals and to Canada in the third-place match to finish in fourth place.

While the 2019 and 2023 World Cup performances won’t be what one would expect from the resumes of the players who will don the red, blue and white, those two experiences should be valuable to Kerr and his coaching staff. International competition has evolved to include NBA and EuroLeague MVPs and all-stars, and every win must be earned. Kerr has the blueprint to navigate losses and wins well, and that, combined with his coaching experience, should propel Team USA to the gold medal at the end of these Olympic Games.

The early years of the GSW dynasty offered some key elements for Team USA to learn from. While Team USA’s Paris 2024 roster has more depth at each position compared to the dynasty teams, they can look to the fundamentals that built the foundation for the team’s success. Aspects such as the speed provided by Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards, the ability to spread the floor with Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant and Derrick White, the floor spacing and shooting power provided by the greatest shooter of all time Stephen Curry and sharpshooter Devin Booker, and the inside coverage provided by Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid and even LeBron James allow them to maximize their strengths while maintaining a team dynamic that will be important moving forward in the Olympic knockout stages.

In the two exhibition games played so far, Team USA has already showcased an unselfish style of basketball that prioritizes team success over individual glory. This unified approach is essential when playing against teams that are both physically and technically superior. Anthony Edwards has stepped up in the absence of Kevin Durant in the exhibition games, highlighting his potential and readiness to contribute in a big way with solid performances against Canada and Australia.

Additionally, the diverse rotations, especially Anthony Davis’s emergence as a key center off the bench, speak to Kerr’s strategy of using depth. Davis’ standout performance against Australia – 17 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks – underscored the importance of having the right talent on the court at key moments. Navigating these rotations and having the right players in the right roles will be crucial as Kerr looks to counter the strategic and physical threats posed by international powerhouses like Serbia and France.

Steve Kerr’s impact on the success of the U.S. National Team is immeasurable. With his vast experience and innovative coaching strategies, he is well positioned to lead the team to glory at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Competing on the international stage requires precision and strategic foresight on both offense and defense. With his ability to blend core leadership principles with his own unique foresight, Kerr stands out as a dynamic and effective leader with the potential to leave an indelible mark on Olympic basketball history.