In an engaging interview with the TNT crew, “Inside the NBA” team, plus Reggie Miller, Steve Kerr shared two of his favorite and rare stories about his time guarding Michael Jordan. These anecdotes shed light on Kerr’s early career challenges and his experiences facing one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Guarding the GOAT: A Rookie’s Nightmare
“I actually had to guard Michael when I played in Cleveland for the Cavs for a few years, and I started about 20 straight games because Craig Ehlo, the starting shooting guard at the time, was injured. Most nights, it was alright; I could find somebody I could guard. And here we play the Bulls, and I’ve got Michael.
So we start out the game, and I get the first shot of the game. The very first possession, he closes out on me, I knock down the jumper, and I’m feeling really good. In the next couple of minutes, he’s just kinda passing the ball inside. We played five minutes, and he hasn’t scored, and I’m kinda feeling good about myself. Finally, I realize the guy hasn’t even shot yet. He was just trying to get everybody else involved.
Long story short, he finished with 48, and I finished with 2. It was like all of a sudden he decided to score and defend, and there was nothing I could do.”
A Terrifying Introduction to the NBA
Steve Kerr storu starts at 5:00
“But then it gets even more interesting in my rookie year. You know, my experience was different from these guys,” Kerr said, pointing to Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Reggie Miller, among others. “I was a late second-round pick on a non-guaranteed contract. I didn’t even know if I was going to make the league.
So in my first-ever game, we’re playing an exhibition game against the Bulls. I was just trying to make the roster, and Michael Jordan gets the ball right in front of our bench. And mind that, I’m already scared to death, saying, ‘God, I hope I don’t get into this game; I’m not ready for this stuff.’
The man holds the ball out and looks right at me, and I’m on the bench just kinda looking. He holds the ball and says, ‘Watch this.’ He turns, goes right around Dan Majerle, BAM, dunks the ball, looks back at our bench, and just starts laughing. And I’m looking and saying, ‘There is no way on earth I will make the NBA.’”
A Championship Legacy
Despite these early challenges and his initial doubts, Steve Kerr went on to have an illustrious career. He won three championships with the Chicago Bulls between 1996 and 1998, becoming a vital part of one of the most dominant teams in NBA history. Kerr’s journey from a scared rookie to a seasoned champion is a testament to his resilience and determination.
News
SUITE SURPRISE Bachelorette fans think Jenn Tran slipped up and revealed ‘secret fling’ with Pete Davidson after Devin’s Fantasy Suite
Plus, Bachelorette fans rage over yet another schedule change ahead of the finale BACHELORETTE fans have been convinced Jenn Tran and Pete Davidson had a secret fling after Monday’s Fantasy Suite episode. During the show, Jenn and finalist Devin, a…
DEEP WOUND Mariah Carey admitted it was ‘safer’ to have no contact with her brother and sister before Alison’s tragic death
Alison Carey, 63, died on the same day as Mariah’s mother Patricia, 87, the singer confirmed MARIAH Carey reflected on her complicated relationships with her siblings years before sister Alison Carey’s tragic death. On Monday, Mariah, 55, announced that her mother Patricia Carey,…
MARIAH’S PAIN From being offered cocaine & ‘pimped out’ by sister aged 12 to sick arson attacks – Mariah Carey’s traumatic family life
The star hit rock bottom in 2001, saying she was ‘broken down by the very people who were supposed to keep me whole’ WHEN Mariah Carey’s mom and sister both died this weekend the pop legend had to be careful…
MOVING ON Ben Affleck looks happier than ever during fast food run after he was spotted with Kick Kennedy following split from JLo
BEN Affleck has been spotted showing off his smile during an outing after his divorce from Jennifer Lopez. The actor stopped for fast food in Beverly Hills, California, on Saturday. 6 Ben Affleck smiling ear to ear while ordering fast…
SUPER BUMP Nicki Minaj shares pregnancy photos in new Gag City Reloaded album announcement leaving fans confused
And why some fans weren’t too thrilled to see Nicki posing with her husband NICKI Minaj has been promoting the upcoming release of her Pink Friday 2: Gag City Reloaded deluxe album with a mix of current and former pregnancy photos. The…
IT’S A WASH Channing Tatum slammed for his ‘disgusting’ and ‘wasteful’ laundry habit in failed ‘attempt to seem relatable’
Fans recently expressed concern for Channing after he shared several bizarre selfies online CHANNING Tatum has been slammed for his wasteful laundry habit in what critics have called a failed attempt to seem relatable. The Don’t Blink star opened up…
End of content
No more pages to load