Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors, has been involved in some of the most iconic moments in basketball history, both as a player and coach.
Yet, when asked about the greatest game of his career, Kerr immediately points to the 2024 Olympic semifinal between Team USA and Serbia. For Kerr, this thrilling game surpasses even the championship moments he shared with Michael Jordan in the 1990s.
Team USA faced a monumental challenge during the game. Trailing by 17 points in the second quarter and down by 13 heading into the fourth, it appeared a comeback was nearly impossible. But the U.S. team found its rhythm in the final minutes, led by three of the NBA’s biggest stars: Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant. Curry took over the game, scoring 36 points to lead the U.S. to a dramatic 95-91 victory.
A game for the ages
Kerr shared that the 2024 semifinal was the most intense and rewarding game he had ever been part of. Speaking on the Glue Guys podcast, he reflected, “The Serbia game was the greatest basketball game I’ve ever been involved with. We were lucky to win, but we had to make every play, and our guys did it down the stretch. It was incredible.”
For Kerr, this game eclipsed even his past coaching experiences with the Warriors, a franchise with multiple championships. Despite the difficult circumstances, the U.S. players displayed remarkable composure, especially when the odds were against them. Curry, who had been relatively quiet throughout the tournament, exploded in the semifinal, delivering when his team needed him most.
Kerr also recalled the importance of Curry’s performance in the final moments, calling it “iconic.” He compared the Serbia game to another memorable moment: Curry’s decisive performance in the gold medal match against France.
In that game, Curry scored 24 points, hitting several critical three-pointers in the closing minutes to help seal the win. Kerr highlighted these moments as defining parts of Curry’s legacy, cementing his place as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Curry vs. Jordan: A tale of two legends
Kerr has had the privilege of coaching and playing with two of the NBA’s most legendary figures: Michael Jordan and Stephen Curry. On the Glue Guys podcast, he compared the two, focusing on their mentalities and playing styles. Kerr explained that while both are driven by a desire for greatness, their approaches differ.
“Michael’s mindset was more out of a desire to kill the opponent, to just stick the knife in and twist it,” Kerr noted, reflecting on his time playing with Jordan in the 1990s.
In contrast, Kerr views Curry’s mentality as being rooted in the joy of playing the game. “Steph’s is more the joy of the act of shooting a ball,” Kerr said, comparing Curry’s approach to that of an artist. He believes this sense of enjoyment gives Curry a slight edge over Jordan. While Jordan was known for his ruthlessness and desire to dominate, Curry plays with grace, fluidity, and a love for the game.
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