Steve Kerr says he is going to coach this season. He just has no idea when.
Kerr met with the media before the Warriors — his Warriors, the team he coached to a title but currently being led by Luke Walton — took the court to raise their NBA championship banner and get their rings. Kerr got his ring but sat out the game, and will sit out more as he recovers from multiple back surgeries this past summer.
Kerr talked about his return, as reported by Monte Poole of CSNBayArea.com.“I am feeling better, so that’s the good news,” Kerr said. “The bad news is I’m not feeling well enough to coach yet. It’s hard because I don’t know when that will be. So there’s no timetable. It’s not a sprained ankle, two-to-four-weeks type of thing. When I feel better, I’ll feel better.
“It’s very frustrating, but I am improving....
“Fortunately, prospects for the long term are great,” Kerr said. “I know I’m on the right path, on the right track. I’m very confident that I will be back this season, and I can’t wait. It’s killing me. And it’s killing me not to be out there tonight. I’m excited to be part of the ceremony, but I’m really disappointed not to be coaching.”
Kerr said he may travel with the team on their weekend road trip (Houston and New Orleans) but wouldn’t coach. Lucky Walton, he gets to have the boss just follow him around, watch him like a hawk, but not help with anything. That sounds like the ideal business trip.
With the core of the team back playing the same system that won 67 games and the NBA title the season before, Kerr missing some time is not going to impact this team much. They will need him to push the right buttons later in the season and into the playoffs, but Walton can guide them through the first patch without much trouble.