Kerr invokes Austin Reaves’ meme to illustrate Steph’s epic Game 7 vs. Kings, which originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
On the eve of another win-or-go-home matchup against the Sacramento Kings, Warriors coach Steve Kerr had high praise for Steph Curry’s epic Game 7 performance in the first round of last year’s NBA playoff series season, even referencing an Austin Reaves meme.
When reporters asked during a press conference Monday for his thoughts on Curry’s historic 50-point game against the Kings to seal the win in Game 7.
“He’s one of the greatest clutch players in the history of the league, we know that,” Kerr said. “I think he led the league this year in player efficiency and minutes. We’ve seen him win championships, win Finals MVP, I mean Steph Curry is Steph Curry.
“So that performance didn’t surprise me because he’s that guy. “He’s him,” I think Austin Reaves said. What I remember about that game is that we extended a lead at the end of the third. I think we had a lead of twelve or something like that going into the fourth, so we had saved timeouts.
“And the conversation you’re talking about, I think I told him we can take a timeout anytime, just to get a few minutes of rest. And we had that fourth quarter under control, but he was so sublime.”
Kerr’s funny hat tip to Reaves is a reference to the Los Angeles Lakers guard’s Game 1 try against the Memphis Grizzlies in last year’s opening round, where a microphone famously shouted Reaves, “I’m him” after a perfect fourth quarter shooting performance.
Kerr and the Warriors find themselves in a do-or-die play-in game Tuesday night at the Golden 1 Center, taking on a strong Kings team that Golden State has struggled against this season.
If the Warriors want to advance in the playoffs, they must beat the Kings and then defeat the loser of the Lakers-New Orleans Pelicans 7-on-8 play-in game. Doing so would give Golden State the No. 8 seed and a best-of-seven series against the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder.
Given Curry’s penchant for epic playoff performances, all eyes will be on the Warriors in the showdown between the NBA’s two Northern California franchises.
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