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Spurs players voted for Kerr’s son to leave film room ahead of Warriors matchup

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Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich’s long-lasting relationship is one of the many storylines surrounding the Warriors-Spurs first round Western Conference Playoffs matchup that begins Saturday at noon.

Kerr played three of the final four years of his career in San Antonio, where he won two NBA Championships. Kerr’s son, Nick, now works for the Spurs as a video assistant.

Popovich, of course, would never miss an opportunity to joke about potential collusion among the Kerrs.

The Spurs studied Warriors film before departing for Oakland Friday. Before the film session could start, however, Popovich, jokingly conducted a vote deciding whether Nick could stay in the room.

“It was a mock vote,” said Popovich, smiling, before Game 1 Saturday. “They all voted that he had to leave the room. I had to overrule to let him stay because he is wonderful, and of course we trust him. But he did have dinner with his family last night, so we will see.”

Kerr has long gushed about Popovich’s genius, extracting important lessons from the legendary coach and implementing them within his own coaching philosophy. Those ideas range from handling superstars to channeling competitive spirit.

Popovich responded, again lightheartedly, to Kerr’s adulation.

“I guess that’s flattering, but he’s probably learned less than what he said to you, so that makes him a really dishonest individual,” Popovich said, prompting laughter. “And he’s trying to be sweet and nice, and intrinsically he’s not.

“I don’t know why I am having so much fun here.”

Popovich is understandably comfortable in this spot. Since he was named Spurs head coach prior to the 1996 season, they have been the gold standard of the league. The Spurs has won five championships amid a 21-year stretch in which they have made the playoffs, the second-longest streak of all-time.

Kerr, on the brink of conducting a dynasty of his own, played a complementary role with the Spurs late in his career.

Popovich cited Kerr as the reason the Spurs won Game 6 of the 2003 Western Conference Finals. Behind his hot shooting, the Spurs overcame a 15-point third quarter deficit. They went on a 42-15 run to win the game, advancing to the NBA Finals, where they would eventually win their second championship. Kerr went 4-4 from three-point range in the game.

Popovich elaborated on Kerr’s cerebral nature as player. He understood personnel, rotations, and the ways in which different players would attack him, as Popovich said.

These philosophies, and Kerr’s masterful grasp of them, have helped mold him into one of the top coaches in the NBA.

“That’s just an innate ability to understand the game, and spatial relationships, people,” Popovich said of Kerr. “So, you knew early on this would be something he would be great at. His presence with his teammates, his discussion with myself and the coaches all the time, whether he is playing or not, that added value to our program.

So, we got just as much information from him as he did us, very honestly.”

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