NBA Finals: Steve Kerr receives standing ovation prior to Game 2
By Chazz Scogna
Sports fans always have a way of rallying behind athletes. Coaches are no different. After a lengthy layoff due to complications from back surgery, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr returned to the sidelines to coach Game 2.
Steve Kerr hasn’t coached since April 19, leaving assistant coach Mike Brown in charge of arguably the most talented team in NBA history.
Sunday night, Kerr returned to the sidelines where he belongs. Prior to Game 2, everyone in attendance at Oracle Arena reminded him of how valuable his spot on the bench is as they stood and cheered when the PA introduced the coach.
In the clip, Kerr purses his lips and shuffles from the side to side. Whether he was overcome with emotion at his return to normalcy or uncomfortable with being the center of attention — even if for a brief moment — is speculation that will have to wait until he speaks on it postgame. But one thing is for certain, it does seem right seeing a coach of Kerr’s caliber on the sidelines.
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One of the larger storylines of this postseason, Kerr’s journey of relief from back surgery has been long and arduous. Since 2015, when he had two surgeries, the coach of the Golden State Warriors has been dealing with migraines and nausea — products of spinal leaking.
This isn’t the first stretch of games Kerr has missed due to complications. He missed the first 43 games of the 2016 season, a stretch where the Warriors started an NBA-record 26-0 and finished 39-4 in Kerr’s absence.
The pain became so much at one point, Kerr has warned those with back issues to seek other avenues before resorting to surgery and has been adamant that he will not hold the Warriors hostage as he recovers. If he doesn’t feel he can coach, he won’t. Those are questions that will need to be answered, but, for now … welcome back, coach.