Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr reacts during the fourth quarter of Game 3 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Steve Kerr ‘betrays’ the Warriors by declaring Nikola Jokic to be the best player in the world, rather than Curry.
Fans were offended by his remarks.
Trayce Jackson-Davis was assigned the difficult chore of protecting two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic during a recent game between the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets.
While Jokic had the upper hand in their clash, Jackson-Davis, a second-round pick from Indiana, showed favorable traits that garnered coach Steve Kerr’s praise.
lauding Jokic
Kerr’s attempt to appreciate Jackson-Davis, on the other hand, unwittingly insulted fans of Warriors star Stephen Curry.
Kerr referred to Jokic as the ‘greatest player in the world,’ prompting a response from Curry supporters who saw it as a betrayal, expecting Kerr to prioritize praise for the four-time NBA champion, two-time MVP, and nine-time All-Star.
“He was great,” Kerr said.
“One of the first things we saw about Tray this summer was how sophisticated his footwork and game sense were. This is a man who appeared in 125 college games.
“Trayce had a wealth of experience, fundamentals, and a solid foundation.” This year, we saw him playing at important moments.
“As soon as we knew Draymond was out last night, it was automatic to plug Trayce in, even if had to go against the best player in the world.”
While the statements may have acknowledged Jokic’s current form, other fans believe Kerr should have underlined Curry’s standing as the league’s best player.
Kerr’s praise was likely intended to highlight Jackson-Davis’ difficult matchup rather than disparage Curry’s accomplishments.
