The reigning NBA Champion Golden State Warriors just made another key off-season re-signing in the form of head coach Steve Kerr. Kerr, a noted cannabis enthusiast and advocate, will re-up with the Dubs for an undisclosed amount of years.
Pro-Marijuana Coach Steve Kerr Extends Contract With Warriors
The re-upping of Kerr represents the third major move for the Warriors this season. First, it was the re-signing of reigning Finals MVP Kevin Durant. The 9-time All-Star agreed to a two-year, $61.5 million deal that pays $30 million in Year 1. The contract contains a player option for its second year.
The Dubs also agreed to a one-year $5.3 million contract with former Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins.
However, it’s the leadership and tactical prowess of Kerr that serves as the catalyst for this Golden State Warrior team. Since taking over for Mark Jackson after the 2013-14 season, Kerr has amassed an impressive 265-63 record—good for a .803 winning percentage. This includes the Warriors NBA-record 73 win campaign during the 2015-16 season—a season in which also garnered Coach of the Year honors for Kerr.
Warriors President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Bob Myers expressed his enthusiasm in the team’s official press release.
“We’re excited to have Steve under contract and poised to lead our team for the next several years,” said Myers. “Under his guidance, we’ve been fortunate enough to win three NBA titles in four years and his ability to thrive in all facets of his job is certainly a primary reason for our success. He’s a terrific coach, but more importantly an incredible human being.”
The overall terms of the deal were undisclosed, but it is presumed that Kerr will be one of the highest paid coaches in the NBA.
Steve Kerr and Cannabis
Kerr’s leadership and tenacity transcend the basketball—especially when it concerns cannabis and its place in the league.
During the 2015-16 season, Kerr missed a number of games due to chronic back issues after multiple surgeries. Kerr was very candid about his marijuana use and admitted to using the plant as an alternative to opioid painkillers. Keep in mind, this was a few years back—before cannabis was as socially acceptable as it is today.
Kerr expressed his desire for medical marijuana in the NBA and other professional leagues across the U.S. Specifically, the NFL.
“I’m not the expert on this stuff. But I do know this: If you’re an NFL player, in particular, and you got a lot of pain, I don’t think there’s any question that pot is better for your body than Vicodin. And yet athletes everywhere are prescribed Vicodin like it’s Vitamin C like it’s no big deal,” Kerr said. “There’s this perception in our country that over-the-counter drugs are fine and pot is bad. Now, I think that’s changing.”
He added:
“I would just hope that sports leagues are able to look past the perception. I’m sure the NFL is worried that their fans are going to go, ‘All the players are potheads.’”
Kerr’s cries for medical marijuana has been heard, and agreed upon, by many. Former NBA commissioner David Stern, a man known for his anti-marijuana sentiments during his tenure, admitted cannabis should be taken off the banned substance list.
Current commissioner Adam Silver has said he would consider removing it in the future.
We might be a while off from cannabis in the NBA. However, Steve Kerr is undoubtedly one of the voices that could help reverse the league’s current policy.
