The more Steve Kerr talks so eloquently about social issues effecting the NBA and society, the more you think he needs to be running the country instead of the Warriors.
Kerr was given the floor to clarify his thoughts about using marijuana for pain relief, and he expounded thoroughly.
Q: A conversation you had about marijuana use has been buzzing the last 24 hours. What has the reaction been and have you had contact with the league at all?
Steve Kerr: “I was a little surprised about the fact that it became a big deal. The conversation was really about pain relief in professional sports. The context of our conversation and the response was how professional sports should handle pain relief. I thought it was interesting, the way the world works and the way the media works, what is a very serious conversation about pain relief, and the headline is ‘Kerr Smokes Pot.’ I guess that’s the world we live in. That’s fine.
“But I’m actually glad it became an issue because I think it’s a very important issue to talk about. Having gone through a tough spell last year — recovering from back surgery a lot of chronic pain — I had to do a lot of research. You get handed prescriptions about Vicodin, Oxycontin, Percocet. The players? That’s what they are given. That stuff is awful. That stuff is dangerous. The addiction possibility can lead to longterm health risks.
“And so the issue is how to we do what’s best for the players. But I understand that it’s a perception issue around the country. The NFL, the NBA, it’s a business so you don’t want your customers thinking these guys are a bunch of potheads. That’s what it is. But to me it’s only a matter of time before medicinal marijuana is allowed in sports leagues. Because the education will overwhelm the perception. If you do any research at all, the stuff they are prescribing is really bad for you.”
Q: Did players express appreciation for you speaking up? Maybe this will make a change?
Steve Kerr: “I think it’s important to talk about it. Because again, it’s all about perception. First of all, I’m disappointed (the marijuana) didn’t work. I wanted some relief. After I did all the research, it was well worth the try. I think it’s going to be important moving forward. I’m always struck when I’m on the couch watching a sporting event, some drug commercial comes on, they show these happy people jumping in a lake. You just wait for the qualifier, side effects include: suicidal thoughts, possible death. This is insane. Insane. It really is. And yet, the stigma is not on those drugs prescribed day and night to anybody who wants them. The stigma is on something that’s relative harmless. So the conversation is important.”
Q: The social media reaction to your comments has been overwhelmingly positive. What was your overall take on that perception.
Steve Kerr: “Well I didn’t read a whole lot of stuff. I just saw various headlines. I get on websites to check NBA news all the time every day. Everyone had that (Kerr smokes pot) headline. That part kind of surprised me. I haven’t talked to many people about it. Like I said, I don’t think it’s a big deal. I do find it ironic that had I said I used Oxycontin for pain relief, it would not have been a headline. So that’s all. I urge people to do the research before you start taking the stuff we’re all encouraged to take. And I always feel bad for the NBA guys. Playing in the NBA, I had lots of injuries, plenty of pain. I never took anything like the opioids we’re talking about. But the NFL guys, those guys are basically in a car wreck every week — sometimes twice in five days which is another issue. But when they’re prescribed that, it’s scary. Especially when they are prescribed by team doctors when you do the research on the possible repercussions.”