OAKLAND — After traveling with the team to San Antonio for Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference Finals, many were optimistic that Warriors head coach Steve Kerr would be ready to rejoin the team for the NBA Finals come June 1.
Golden State GM Bob Myers spoke to reporters about Kerr’s status on Thursday, and said that while Kerr has continued to be involved in all aspects of preparation, he’s not able to return as the team’s head coach. Myers would not give a timeline for his best friend’s return.
“I don’t know,” Myers began. “Right now with Steve, he’s doing everything, you guys have seen him around, he was in San Antonio. He’s here right now. He’s been in practices, he’s been in coaches meetings. He’s doing everything but coaching, but at this point, he’s not able to coach. I wish I could say that he was, I’m sure he wishes he could as well, but that’s where we are. If something changes and he feels better, I’ll sit here, or better he will sit here and tell you, but right now I can’t say that he’s going to be coaching.
“I know there’s a ton of hypotheticals, what if’s…If he feels better and we have to make those decisions we will, but right now we’re not putting any deadlines on should he feel better what will we do. It’ll be based on what day it is, how exactly he feels, how long he’s felt well. I should be saying this with more emotion, because it’s hard for me. I’m kind’ve in this basketball mode, but he’s a person, and he’s not feeling well, and that’s what makes it hard.
“More than how it reflects our team, is how he’s feeling, that makes it very difficult to sit here and say that the man that’s hugely responsible for us being in the Finals for three years in a row, in a moment he should be treasuring, can’t do it. It’s painful and I know it’s painful for him more than anybody. And I wish and he wishes, and I’m sure you guys do too, that something could get him there, but right now, we’re not at that point.”
Myers also admitted that Kerr’s health issues have put a damper on the team’s success this season.
“Somebody asked me, is going to the Finals three times muted because of what’s going on? Of course it is. This should be great. This should be unbelievable, and we are excited, and we are proud but our head coach can’t coach. It’s not an excuse it’s just a fact and it sucks.”
Mike Brown has handled head coaching duties since Game 3 of the first round, when Kerr’s health complications stemming from multiple back surgeries last year became unbearable. Kerr went through a procedure at Duke Medical Center during the second round, but Myers was unable to comment on whether the procedure was a success or not.
Brown will continue as the team’s head coach until further notice.