Steve Kerr had no illusions about his role as coach of the Western Conference All-Stars.
The Golden State Warriors' rookie coach knew that his role was largely ceremonial and he admitted as much before Sunday night's game:
Western Conference head coach Steve Kerr on his game plan for tonight: "I had no plan. It's an All-Star game." pic.twitter.com/ciDLDknQ9P
— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 16, 2015
During the game microphones caught Kerr drawing up a not-so-creative play for his guys:
Steve Kerr is taking his role as All-Star coach very seriously: http://t.co/a0fGXaDpVo https://t.co/aoQ6ogKxo9
— SB Nation (@SBNation) February 16, 2015
Kerr did have one objective over the weekend, which was to run the 38-year-old Tim Duncan into the ground. Kerr and Duncan were teammates for three years in San Antonio, and Duncan's Spurs pose perhaps the largest threat to Kerr's Warriors in the Western Conference.
During Sunday's game, in which Duncan played 15 minutes and pulled down nine rebounds, Kerr jokingly tried to get the big man to play some defense. Duncan wasn't so hot on Kerr's strategy:
The irony here, of course, is twofold. First, Kerr has proved himself to be one of the most innovative coaches in the league, and he has led the Warriors to a league-best 42-9 record at the All-Star break.
Secondly, Kerr's Western Conference squad ended up winning the game despite his lack of creative insight. The West topped the East, 163-158.
