The Golden State Warriors are now officially so iconic that they can claim to have permeated the highest of culture. Nothing makes a person on the beach or at a coffee shop look smarter or more refined than reading the most recent issue of “The New Yorker.”
The June 18, 2018 issue features a story written by Charles Bethea about watching the NBA Finals with the mother of Steve Kerr.
Ann Kerr is not just the mom of the most successful coach in the NBA right now, but also the widow of an assassinated academic who specialized in Middle Eastern studies.
Malcolm Kerr was murdered by the Islamic Jihad on January 18, 1984, while serving as the president of the American University of Beirut.
Steve was a freshman at the University of Arizona at the time, forced to confront a new world without the mentorship of his dad.
Steve is one of the most politically outspoken figures in the NBA, and his background has obviously shaped many of his views and given him an especially unique perspective.
The article about Ann is really fascinating and is a great read for anyone who wants an in-depth look at one of the people who have shaped Steve into the human being he is today.
Ann is the director of Southern California’s Fulbright Visiting Scholars Program and the author of “Come with me from Lebanon: an American Family Odyssey.”
The article gives interesting biographical information on Ann and her perspective on the current state of U.S. politics.
She praises her son for using his platform to speak out on social issues important to him as well as professional athletes.
She also reveals that her favorite player on the Warriors right now is Klay Thompson because of his understated nature.
On a team full of exuberant players never hesitant to show their bravado, Thompson certainly stands out for his stoicism.
She also comments that while she’s not an expert on basketball, she doesn’t believe that Draymond Green should be shooting 3-pointers.
The playoffs were full of moments where opposing players left Green wide-open, daring him to attempt a shot from downtown.
Ann might be on to something with that assessment, given that Green shot just 30.1% from 3-point range in the regular season and just 26.6% from 3-point range in the playoffs.
With some of the most prolific scorers on the court with him, Ann correctly observed that a Green 3-pointer isn’t the best option for the offense.
The article ends with her not being able to find a championship ring that Steve gave her when he was on the Chicago Bulls.
It illustrates that what she prioritizes and treasures go far beyond the basketball court and any athletic accolades her son has achieved.
She’s much more proud of the person he has become, and the impact he is making on the world through his activism and thoughtful commentary.
The Warriors are lucky to have Kerr as their coach. He is not only a brilliant basketball mind but comes from a family that has clearly instilled in him the importance of empathy and nuanced thought in understanding the world around him.