Steve Kerr is one of the most crucial parts of the Golden State Warriors dynasty. Without coach Kerr, the Dubs wouldn’t have been as successful as they have been over the last decade or so.
Kerr has helped the Warriors win four NBA Championships in six trips to the finals. Sure, that’s impressive, but the astonishing fact about Kerr’s coaching career with the Warriors is the fact that he is yet to lose to a Western Conference team in the playoffs.
Yes, that’s indeed true. The Warriors have lost just twice in the postseason under Steve Kerr’s coaching. First time in the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers (3-4) and the second time in the 2019 NBA Finals vs. the Toronto Raptors (2-4).
It is now easier to understand why the 57-year-old is one of the highest-paid coaches in the league. He has earned every penny of his contract from the Warriors.
Steve Kerr’s Record vs. Western Conference Teams In The Playoffs
Steve Kerr took over the reins of the Warriors from Mark Jackson ahead of the 2014-15 NBA season. By then, the trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green had already blossomed into superstar talent.
With that being said, here’s a look at Kerr’s record vs. Western Conference teams in the postseason:
2015 Playoffs:
First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans 4-0
Second Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies 4-2
Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 4-1
2016 Playoffs:
First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 4-1
Second Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers 4-1
Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3
2017 Playoffs:
First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers 4-0
Second Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz 4-0
Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs 4-0
2018 Playoffs:
First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs 4-1
Second Round: Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans 4-1
Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 4-3
2019 Playoffs:
First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers 4-2
Second Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 4-2
Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers 4-0
2022 Playoffs:
First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets 4-1
Second Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies 4-2
Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks 4-1
Kerr’s record has stayed intact in the playoffs. But during the 2020-21 NBA season, he delivered back-to-back defeats in the play-in tournament.
2021 Play-In Tournament:
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers 100-103
Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies 112-117
So, Kerr has a 0-2 losing record in the play-in tournament. But apart from that, when it really matters, Steve Kerr’s strategies have always worked well for the Warriors.
The Warriors will start their 2023 playoff run against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night. Will the Sacramento Kings be the team to finally put a dent in Kerr’s otherwise perfect playoff record against Western Conference teams? We will find out soon.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.