Kerr makes a big splash as Warriors head coach
Tom Thibodeau owns the NBA mark for getting to 100 wins faster than any coach.
If Steve Kerr keeps up his current pace with the Golden State Warriors, though, he'll pass Thibodeau by next November.
"I'm sure I'm going to lose a lot of sleep over that one," Thibodeau said Friday.
Because he doesn't care or doesn't think Kerr can continue his 16-2 pace? Unfortunately, no one asked that follow-up question.
But Kerr and the Warriors are the NBA's best early-season storyline. Not only do they own the league's best record, they'll carry an 11-game winning streak into the United Center for Saturday's game against the Bulls.
"Steve is terrific. I have a lot of respect for him and the way his team is playing," Thibodeau said. "Obviously, he's got a great staff as well."
Behind the "Splash Brothers" - Steph Curry and Klay Thompson - the Warriors are known for offense, and they've been great in that regard, ranking third in NBA scoring. They're No. 1 in field-goal percentage, 3-point percentage and assists.
What's remarkable about Kerr's coaching performance is Golden State also leads the league, by a wide margin, in defensive field-goal percentage. Kerr tried explaining to USA Today how that happened.
"Really … talented … players," he said. "Really, that's what it comes down to. This team was top-five in defense last year."
Despite last year's success, the Warriors replaced second-year head coach Mark Jackson and convinced Kerr to reject Phil Jackson's offer to coach the New York Knicks.
Kerr had no NBA coaching experience before this year, even as an assistant. He did learn from two of the best, though, playing for Jackson during the Bulls' glorious 1996-98 championship run, as well as Gregg Popovich in San Antonio.
Kerr made sure to surround himself with experience. He has frequent head coach Alvin Gentry on his staff, as well as Thibodeau's former right-hand man, Ron Adams.
"You guys know how I feel about Ron," Thibodeau said Friday at the Advocate Center. "There's probably not a better coach in the league than him. I'm happy for all those guys. They're all good people … Alvin Gentry … Luke Walton, I've heard a lot of good things about as well."
Kerr said he spent the summer practicing how to draw up plays, so his inexperience was evident in some regard. His biggest message, though, was one he learned from Jackson and Popovich - asking talented players to be unselfish for the good of the team. So far, Thompson and center Andrew Bogut are averaging career-highs in assists.
"He's well prepared. His practices are well structured. He knows his stuff," Bogut said of Kerr's coaching in the San Jose Mercury-News. "We go through things we need to go through, late-game situations and that kind of stuff. It's been fantastic so far."
According to the Mercury-News, the Warriors practice facility used to have panels along one wall honoring players for all-star appearances. Kerr had them removed, along with a sign commemorating Curry's NBA record 272 3-pointers in 2012-13.
Kerr has plenty in common with Bulls vice president of basketball operations John Paxson. Both were overachieving players who excelled playing next to Michael Jordan. Both come across as calm, intelligent personalities. But they also have a hidden fire.
Paxson has a notorious short fuse, which might be the biggest reason he's never coached - the fear he'd get tossed out of every game. So far, Kerr has confined any angry outbursts to the locker room and practice court.
Kerr told USA Today earlier this season how much he's enjoyed being back on the bench, as opposed to working as a television analyst or Phoenix Suns general manager.
"I love feeling this way," he said. "I love the competition. I love being part of the group. I love trying to build something together. The intensity, you can't even come close to matching.
"On TV, you're talking about what somebody else is doing. Now we're talking about what we're doing. So we're in the fight, and that's what makes it fun."
• Follow Mike on Twitter @McGrawDHBulls.
Bulls game day
Bulls vs. Golden State Warriors at the United Center, 7 p.m. Saturday
TV/radio: WGN/ESPN 1000-AM
Outlook: So far, it looks as though Steve Kerr was a good choice as head coach. His Warriors are on an 11-game win streak and own a 16-2 record, best in the league as well as franchise history. The Splash Brothers are having their way so far, with Steph Curry averaging 23.4 ppg and Klay Thompson at 21.0 ppg. Next on the scoring list are underrated forwards Draymond Green and Marreese Speights. The Warriors have lost 9 of their last 10 games at the UC.
Next: Brooklyn Nets at the United Center, 7 p.m. Wednesday.
- Mike McGraw