His career as a Bulls player brought back into the spotlight thanks to The Last Dance, Steve Kerr once again returned to the documentary and the end of the dynasty of his team with frankness.
The “what ifs” are among the most widespread practices in the NBA sphere. Fans love to imagine what the trajectory of a team, a player, or even the league could have been without the intervention of fate. This phenomenon is particularly applied in the case of the Bulls dynasty in the 90s, and their 6 titles won in 8 years.
The Last Dance having brought the latter back to the forefront, it was not uncommon to see hypotheses made on the career of Michael Jordan, and the number of rings he would have gotten without his two retirements. The question is also always asked to Chicago alumni during their media appearances.
Lately, it was Steve Kerr who had to raise the subject once again in an interview for All The Smoke. In discussion with his former player Matt Barnes, the Warriors coach wished to appease the few regrets that some may have concerning the end of the group’s course.
We knew we were done. I think the emotional pressure was so important… It’s hard for people to understand that when a team loses its beauty, its energy, its motivation, it’s over. People might say “If you had come back” or “If Michael hadn’t gone out to play baseball you would have won 8 in a row”… That’s bullshit. There was no way. There was too much fatigue and it ended for a reason. It had to end.
Clear and clean, we warned you. Simply present in the roster for the 2nd three-peat, unlike MJ and Scottie Pippen, Kerr was nevertheless able to feel the moral exhaustion caused by the repetition of titles. It was therefore unthinkable for him and his teammates to attempt to extend their hegemony over the league in such a physical and mental way.
Once and for all, Steve Kerr has put an end to the fantasy that the ’90 Bulls could have had a better record than theirs today. The message got through.
