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The interactions happen nearly every day. Warriors coach Steve Kerr and general manager Bob Myers talk to each other after practice or in their office. They also speak on the phone.
The topics can range from the trivial (good Netflix shows), cultural (good restaurants in San Francisco) or topical (the State of the Union speech). Inevitably, Myers and Kerr also discuss basketball, including the team’s play, player development and possible deals.
Kerr and Myers seemingly know each other’s thoughts about anything. Yet, both Myers and Kerr both said they do not share their thoughts on what the other should do in their respective position. With the Warriors five days away from the Feb. 8 trade deadline, Kerr outlined a specific dynamic on any conversations he has with Myers about any possible moves.
“I don’t have any personnel power,” Kerr said. “The beauty of our arrangement coming in was they didn’t want to give me personnel power and I didn’t want any.”
Why not?
“I want to win today. Bob wants to win today and tomorrow,” Kerr said. “Those things aren’t always compatible. If you’re in charge of all that, it gets cloudy. It makes you see the forest for the trees. This is the best model. This is how it works for us.”
Clearly, this has worked for the Warriors amid winning two NBA championships in the past three years. But when the Warriors hired Kerr in 2014, he did not sign up to become an NBA head coach that would answer to a ownership group or front office that dictates what he has to do.
“I never thought you force anything on your coach,” Myers said. “You can do that. It doesn’t make a ton of sense doing something without your coach’s input. You can disagree or agree. But collaborating is the healthiest way to do it.”
Kerr has first-hand experience on how that collaboration, or lack thereof, can derail a partnership.
Kerr told Bay Area News Group last month that he regretted how he handled his tenure as the Phoenix Suns’ general manager (2007-08) for two reasons. Kerr argued he should have forged a better relationship with former Suns coach Mike D’Antoni. Kerr also expressed regret for trading four-time All-Star Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks to Miami for Shaquille O’Neal before the trade deadline in the 2007-08 season.
Though Kerr and D’Antoni admire each other’s personalities and basketball philosophies, Kerr argued he put too much pressure on D’Antoni about advancing to the NBA Finals or winning the NBA title. Though O’Neal forged a Hall-of-Fame career because of his unmatched blend of size and power, he joined the Suns past his prime. D’Antoni left the Suns following the 2007-08 season to accept the New York Knicks’ head-coaching job. Steve stepped down in 2010 despite the Suns making the Western Conference Finals.
“I’ve been a GM and I understood how difficult that job is and understood how difficult the coaching job is,” Kerr said. “They really are separate jobs that require a person’s full attention. The communication with the group is key. But you always have to communicate. I trust Bob and the scouting department. They have done an amazing job. I don’t interfere.”
Neither does Myers, who called the dynamic between him and Kerr a “partnership.” Myers also described Kerr as a “very inclusive coach.”
“I know sometimes people like to put a hierarchy on it. You either both succeed or you both fail, in my opinion,” Myers said. “That’s kind of my thought on it. I’m lucky to have a guy like Steve who not only has done my job, but has played in the NBA. He has experienced a ton of success and experienced more success than I ever will. He knows basketball.”
Because of his 16-year NBA career as a shooting specialist, Kerr has sparked praise for how he relates to role players. He also has received strong reviews for his fast-paced and team-oriented offense empowering his star talent, for his light practices making players feel less taxing and for his sense of humor creating a fun working environment.
As for Myers, he has also established a definitive track record in other areas. As a former agent, Myers has forged strong relationships among both agents and other general managers. Despite boasting a star-studded roster, Myers’ salary cap management enabled the Warriors to acquire Kevin Durant in the 2016 offseason. Myers’ talent evaluation contributed toward the Warriors making smart draft choices that included Klay Thompson (2011), Draymond Green (2012), Patrick McCaw (2016) and Jordan Bell (2017).
Neither Kerr nor Myers would like to read it such platitudes.
“Leadership at the top, leaders in the organization, that allows you to have sustained success,” Myers said, referring to Warriors co-owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber as well as president Rick Welts. “But why we’re successful is really our players. They should get all the credit we’ve done. Not me, or maybe Steve should as well. They are the ones that have to go out there, work and perform every day and succeed.”
Why has Kerr succeeded? He argued that Myers is partly the answer.
“I feel incredibly lucky to work with Bob,” Kerr said. The thing I learned in this league as a coach, you are dependent on talent and you have to have talent to win. We all know that. But you also have to have an incredible support from your GM and owner, not just support for you but support for winning and a total commitment to the process of winning and what it takes. [There’s] a collaboration where nobody cares on who gets the credit. That’s why I love working with Bob, Joe, Peter and Rick.”
Therefore, Kerr has loved his everyday conversations with Myers, even the ones that are not related to basketball.
