NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. WARRIORS

June 16, 2022

Steve Kerr

Golden State Warriors

Game 6: Pregame

Q. How do you prepare for a game like this, meaning, you have a championship at stake? Is it an extra motivation for you guys, or you keep it in the back of your mind and just face the Celtics like you did in Game 5, for example?

STEVE KERR: The guys all know what's at stake, and it's a great opportunity. As a coach, you try to help prepare the guys mentally for what's coming. You have to go out and play with the desperation that got you this far but without the anxiety that can come with thinking about clinching. You can't think about any of that. You've got to just think about executing one minute at a time, one play at a time, and that's the focus tonight.

Q. Throughout the playoffs, there have been some times that even we've seen that you've addressed enjoying the moment and savoring the moment, even facing a tough time during a game. I wonder throughout this whole playoff journey, personally what have you done to savor the moment, or is that even possible when you're in the thick of it?

STEVE KERR: Oh, no, it's very possible. We get to compete in basketball on the biggest stage on earth. That's a lot of fun.

So I think our players and our coaches have all embraced the opportunity, and it doesn't mean it comes without stress. There's definitely stress, but that's all part of competition. I think none of us would be doing this if we didn't embrace competition, and part of that is accepting that you might win, you might lose. But being in the fight is something that all of us really relish, and for that reason, this is the best time of the year. I think we all need to savor it at times.

Q. I think this is Game 105 for you and Game 107 for Boston. Do you sense any collective fatigue once you get to Game 4, 5, 6 of the Finals?

STEVE KERR: It's too late for that. It's too late for that. It's not like we were fresh after 101 games. The season is just so long.

So, you're here, and the good thing with the Finals, generally you have a couple of days' rest in between games. So, I think we'll be ready to go tonight.

Q. Seems like Steph has faced more defensive coverages than anybody in history. What has it been like to see him kind of figure that out as the series and as his career goes on?

STEVE KERR: Yeah, he just absorbs it. He never shows too much emotion. He absorbs what's happening on the floor and then kind of deciphers it and figures out ways to attack it. And that's something we do in between games during the season or during a series. We sit down and try to think about different ways to attack certain coverages, and that's all part of it.

But Steph does it in a very even-keeled manner. You know, he understands people are going to throw everything at him, and he embraces that.