Not quite one year ago, Steve Kerr and David Blatt met at Los Angeles International Airport to talk hoops. Kerr had been named head coach of the Warriors only a couple of weeks earlier, and he was searching for a strong, experienced assistant to supervise his offense.
Kerr soon realized he and Blatt shared similar philosophies, heavy on ball movement, spacing and pace. Blatt agreed to join the Warriors. Then he took a call from Cleveland and, with Kerr’s blessing, interviewed for the head-coaching job with the Cavaliers. He got it.
That’s the short version of how a near-partnership in Oakland turned into a fascinating, all-rookie coaching clash in these NBA Finals.