Michael Jordan Taught the NBA How to Outlast ‘Father Time’, Says Steve Kerr

Steve Kerr saw up close how Michael Jordan went about his business as the best basketball player in the NBA.

Michael Jordan Taught the NBA How to Outlast ‘Father Time’, Says Steve Kerr

Steve Kerr witnessed Michael Jordan's greatness up front (Image via FirstSportz)

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When Michael Jordan was dominating the league, he had to have some good role players, such as Steve Kerr, to help him in his quest to become the greatest of all time.

The guard was at his healthiest during his five-year stint with the Chicago Bulls, playing all 82 regular-season games in his first four years there.

He was credited with draining important shots, which helped His Airness power the franchise to another three-peat of NBA Championships. Therefore, Kerr was up front and close to understand what it takes to be the best.

Michael Jordan was probably the first guy to ever have his own private trainer, back in the mid 90s. Now, every player on our roster has a private trainer, pretty much.

Steve Kerr told the Athletic’s Zena Keita

The Golden State Warriors’ head coach saw Michael Jordan do what was necessary to ensure his fitness and basketball skills were where he would have wanted them.

Back in the 90s, it was uncommon for NBA stars, most of whom were just starting to earn a couple of million dollars a year, to hire a private trainer, who would generally drain their bank accounts by a bit.

The Bulls’ great, with the millions pouring in from Nike and the plethora of his other endorsement deals, could afford one and decided to invest in what mattered to him, as his love for the game was beyond measure.

Steve Kerr details how current stars followed Michael Jordan’s lead

Zena Keita asked Steve Kerr about private trainers and player development coaches with regard to how LeBron James and Stephen Curry, who have been playing for a long time.

Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant won gold in their late 30s
Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant won gold in their late 30s (Image via USA Basketball/X)

When you start to think about the money these guys are making, especially the guys at the top, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry, it’s really no big deal for them to hire as many people as they want to help them with their body, their mind, their training.

Steve Kerr said

The 60-year-old believes the investment those top stars have made in hiring such personnel is what has enabled them to play this long and this well.

Kerr noted that during his era, this was unthinkable, as even some of the best could not afford it. Now, with the likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry earning millions in paychecks, what Michael Jordan used to earn in endorsements, it has become easier.

The Warriors’ head coach reiterated that following Michael Jordan’s lead has helped these current superstars to do what was not considered normal in the NBA.

Steve Kerr details how LeBron James and Stephen Curry continued to play this long

As this conversation kept going, Zena Keita asked Steve Kerr if there was a formula that enables the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant to keep going.

The only guys who keep going and play at a high level are the ones who love what they do… When you are obsessed with your craft, with what you’re doing, you’re putting all your time, effort, and money into it. If you’re talented on top of all that, these days you can keep going until 40 or longer.

Steve Kerr said

The nine-time NBA champion brought up the example of NFL great Tom Brady to highlight what that obsession leads athletes to do.

He believes LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant are doing the same things the seven-time Super Bowl winner did, which has helped them stay at the top of their game for this long. That also happens to be what Michael Jordan used to do, and these superstars have just followed his lead to ensure they are playing until their late 30s and into their 40s.

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