Before the conference finals Steve Kerr was optimistic before the clash with the Houston Rockets. The head coach of the Golden State Warriors sees the many years of experience as a great advantage.
“I like where we stand,” Kerr told the assembled press. “Our boys have rings, which is a good starting position. “In my opinion, the first championship is the most difficult, because you don’t know if you can win the title yet.”
The Warriors have proven this twice in the past three years, and in 2016 the Dubs lost seven games against LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers.
“You want to go back there because it’s an incredible feeling,” Kerr continued. “We are the acting champion and we want to repeat this. It’s a good feeling we’re going into the show.”
The entire Warriors squad has a total of 22 final appearances, while only Trevor Ariza and the Los Angeles Lakers were in the finals twice with the Rockets (2009, 2010).
Chris Paul, on the other hand, is in the last four for the first time at the age of 33, but Kerr showed enormous respect for the little playmaker. “He’s a killer and has taken Houston to the next level. It gives the team a dimension they hadn’t had before.”
The Rockets won 65 games for the first time in their long franchise history, securing first place in the Western Conference and thus a home advantage against the Warriors. But Kerr does not worry. “We will accept the challenge. We’re best when we’re threatened, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Game 1 of the series takes place in the night from Monday to Tuesday in Houston at 3 am (live on DAZN).