Kerr recalls feeling bad for Brown after Dubs eliminated Kings in 2023 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Tuesday’s upcoming NBA Play-In Tournament game between the Warriors and the Sacramento Kings will add another story to Northern California’s ever-growing basketball history.
But for now, fans remember the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, when Golden State narrowly defeated Sacramento in seven games.
The series was a thriller that fans hope to see again during this season’s play-in. For 10-year Warriors coach Steve Kerr, however, beating the Kings comes with an emotional cost.
“I think the main thing, honestly, that I remember was the shaking [Kings coach] Mike Brown’s hand after that,” Kerr told reporters Monday during Warriors practice. “You go to these elimination games and play and compete against people you are close to.
“There is a feeling of elation when you win, but you know your good friend is struggling and it hurts. Those moments are always very difficult when you coach against a good friend.”
“You know your good friend is going through a hard time, and it hurts.”
Steve Kerr recalls his emotional exchange with Mike Brown after last season’s Game 7 victory against the Kings pic.twitter.com/8LeM8mTtmL
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 15, 2024
Kerr was overjoyed with Golden State’s win over Sacramento, but couldn’t help but feel melancholy that Brown’s season was over.
Brown was Kerr’s top Warriors assistant coach in the Bay from 2016 to 2021. Additionally, Kerr spent two of his final three years as an NBA guard under then-San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Brown.
The two have grown closer over the decades, but are quite the postseason rivalry.
“I felt great joy for our team [in 2023] and sadness for Mike for all he has meant to me over the years,” Kerr added.
After coaching alongside Kerr at Golden State, Brown was offered the Sacramento head coaching position.
Brown ended Sacramento’s 16-year NBA playoff drought after leading the Kings to a 48-34 finish last season. It was Kerr’s team that shortened Brown’s season.
Tuesday’s game is poised to be another classic, and the Golden 1 Center crowd in Sacramento will be hostile.
“You know, the atmosphere for all four home games there [Golden 1] was great [and] incredibly loud,” Kerr recalled.
Warriors-Kings will leave one of the coaches heartbroken.
Kerr will probably have heavy feelings either way.
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