Steve Kerr has implemented a radical concept as new head coach of the Golden State Warriors. The former NBA Champion, Chicago Bull and teammate of Michael Jordan believes that it takes much more than x's and o's to build an elite team. He actually wants to get to know his players. Crazy! Kerr has spent most of the summer tracking down members of the team and/or their old coaches in order to learn as much as he can about them. He has played a couple of rounds of golf with point guard Stephen Curry. Heck, he and his wife Margot even flew to Australia to spend time with center Andrew Bogut. Jacksonites needn't worry, though. Kerr is doing a lot on the court as well, including slowly introducing the Triangle Offense to the Warriors.
Forward Harrison Barnes says that the Triangle system may seem intimidating at first, but it sinks in after a while (via Mercury News):
"'Everyone's pretty much familiar with it, but when you're actually playing in the system, it takes some getting used to,' Barnes said. 'But it's good. It's just a different style from what I'm used to.'
"Said Kerr: 'I think people sometimes hear the word "triangle," and they sort of freak out. And it's just basketball.'"
Indeed, while the system itself presents a seemingly endless array of options and wrinkles, the whole philosophy is still built around fundamental basketball concepts; namely, players learn to react and adapt to defensive weaknesses.
But, again, strategy is only half the equation. Kerr has spent a lot of time establishing a family culture, which isn't all that common in the professional sports world (via Mercury News):
"'I want to meet the families and get to know everybody. It's all part of it. The stronger all these bonds are, the better job I can do, and the more I'll understand them and vice versa.'
"Barnes, who along with his agent had met with Kerr in Miami, said of his new coach on the practice court: 'He knows how to get his point across.'"
Good luck, coach.
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