	products recent interviews FastScripts archive about ASAP Sports

Our Clients:

Browse by Sport

Find us on

Subscribe to RSS

Click to go to
Asaptext.com

View our
e-Brochure

NBA FINALS: CAVALIERS vs WARRIORS

June 8, 2018

Steve Kerr

Cleveland, Ohio: Game Four

Warriors - 108, Cavaliers - 85

STEVE KERR: Before we start, I just want to congratulate Cleveland on an amazing season. You know, I watched that team a lot during the year. We always keep our eye on them, of course, and there have been kind of three different versions of their team. The fact that they got here surprised me, actually, watching them during the regular season. It didn't look like they were going to have enough.

But what Ty did with his group and obviously what LeBron does night after night is just incredible. They had an amazing run. Bottom line is we've got a lot of talent, and we had more talent than they did, and talent wins in this league.

But congrats to Cleveland, and I will take any questions now.

Q. You said you were surprised that Cleveland got here. Were there nights like maybe the January game in Utah or even as recently as 3-2 against Houston where you had doubts whether you guys would get to this moment as well?
STEVE KERR: Absolutely, there were doubts. The last month of the season was really difficult, and I was hoping we were going to be able to turn it up once the playoffs started, because we did not begin this run in a good way. In terms of where we were as a group, I think we lost 10 of our last 17, which more than anything was an indication of just how long this journey has been for us. We knew we were going to have to find our defense.

Right from the beginning, Game 1 against San Antonio, I think Pop said that was the best defense they had faced all year, and Andre stepping in for Steph with Steph being injured, running the point, showing his versatility and really establishing our defensive mindset in that series, I think, got us rolling.

Q. Steph got a Finals record nine three-point shots in Game 2. Tonight he closes out with 37. What more does he need to do to be named Finals MVP?
STEVE KERR: I don't vote, so I know that's a story line, and I'm sure it would have been nice for Steph to win the MVP, but honestly, I don't think he's that disappointed at this point. One of the great things about having the talent around him is that he gets to win championships. Two years ago we lost, and in Game 7 to Cleveland, and that was devastating. Steph went out and recruited K.D. with this in mind, winning titles.

I was there in the Hamptons when we had that discussion. I don't remember anybody asking who is going to win MVP in The Finals. It was all about let's win championships together, and that's what this is about. You guys can write about MVP. We don't care.

Q. Next year should I wait for you to be in Boston or should I come to here again, Cleveland?
STEVE KERR: Next year -- we'll think about that later. Tonight is our night to celebrate, and it really is such a long haul to win an NBA Championship. It's a nine-month grind. And to get here four years in a row -- Ty Lue and I actually talked about this before the series when we saw each other in Oakland. Just getting here is so difficult, and what both teams have been through going through this four years in a row, it's a major grind. I think both teams felt it getting here. But I think once we got here, we took advantage of the moment.

Q. Along the lines of Mark's question, what have you observed in Steph in terms of a willingness to share the accolades, share the spotlight since Kevin's been on your team?
STEVE KERR: Well, it's just who he is. It's not like there was a transformation. Steph's always been one of the most unselfish people you can be around. He's really an amazing human being.

It's rare that you see this combination, and I've said this before, but it's worth saying again, the combination of incredible talent and humility, that is such a powerful force in our locker room. In many ways it sets the tone for the whole organization.

So everything Steph is about, everything he is, based on his family and his background and just what he's learned in his life, he's just all about us. He's all about the team. He's just an amazing human being, and I'm incredibly lucky to coach him.

Q. I know almost every press conference during a Finals we ask you some kind of question about LeBron, but after this four-year run, can you put into words as a coach and an opponent, what he -- the pressure he puts a team on as far as the runs that he can make, especially in 2016, but just how tough he is to game plan against and play against.
STEVE KERR: Well, he's terrifying. He really is. Every time he comes down the court, getting downhill, you just know he's either going to get to the rim or he's going to find one of his shooters for a three-point shot. He's added the three-point threat. When we came here three years ago in the first meeting, we weren't fearful of his shot. We were fearful of his power and his penetration and his passing, but now you fear everything.

I think maybe the greatest testament to LeBron is that five years ago he was one of the Top 5 players of all time. From five years ago until now, it seems like he's ten times better, because he's added so much skill to his game.

I get asked all the time about MJ, LeBron, and it's such a difficult question to ask. All I know is they're the two best players that I've ever witnessed. They're very different, but however you want to rank them, they're right there together.

Q. Obviously, the follow-up to that, Durant obviously came in the next year after they beat you. Did you guys do anything different against him these last two years, or what did you learn when he was able to bring them back from 3-1?
STEVE KERR: We didn't really do anything different. You know, you have to do the best job you can, try to stay in front of him, try not to foul him. We're blessed with a very versatile defensive roster.

I thought one of the keys to the series, to be honest, was Andre returning in Game 3. It gave the rest of the guys some relief, Draymond, K.D., Klay, so we were able to put Andre on LeBron, and that gave everybody else some rest. It allowed us to change the look. Andre's one of the best defenders in the league, and he did a fantastic job in Games 3 and 4.

You're never going to contain LeBron or anything like that. You just have to make him work, and I thought we did a good job of that the last two games of the series.

Q. This is your third championship in four years. Was this the toughest one, and what were some challenges this year that you didn't have to face in the other two championship runs?
STEVE KERR: Yeah, it was definitely the toughest from the standpoint that it's the fourth year in a row that we've attempted to get back to The Finals. I remember sitting in this room three years ago, it seemed like a dream. This feels more like reality. And I hope that doesn't sound arrogant. It's just that's the talent we have, and that's the experience we've gained.

But it's a very different feeling. It's still euphoric, but three years ago was I can't believe this happened, and now it's I can definitely believe this happened, but it was hard, and it gets more and more difficult as you go through.

Next year will be even tougher. I may not show up until All-Star break because they're not going to listen to me anyway. Thank you.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

ASAP Sports, Inc. | T: 1.212 385 0297