The father and son appearing together on the same stage is something Kerr has done too.

Next season, when Warriors head coach Kerr coaches from the sidelines, you may spot a youthful face next to him conveying some words. This young guy is Nicholas Kerr, who is Kerr’s son.

On Kerr’s 60th birthday, the Warriors officially promoted Nicholas Kerr to assistant coach. Back in June, there were already rumors about the Warriors bringing Kerr’s son into the coaching team. Of course, Nicholas Kerr didn’t just parachute in as an assistant coach; he has worked with the Warriors for many years.

Nicholas Kerr is 32 years old this year, grew up in San Diego, and played college basketball at the University of San Diego and the University of California. Although he stepped on the court, he never believed he could pursue a professional basketball career. Even though he majored in business at college, due to his father’s influence and his passion for basketball, after graduation he chose to work in basketball-related fields.

While he was still in college, his father had already made a name for himself as a coach, leading the Warriors to their first championship in the 2014-15 season. After graduating, Nicholas went to the Spurs as an intern, which of course had some connection to Kerr.

In 2018, Nicholas joined the Warriors’ staff, initially spending three years focusing on player development and serving as a video coordinator. Many current coaches started as video coordinators, studying game footage and players to fulfill team tasks.

After three years of learning tactics and data analysis, Nicholas was assigned in 2021 as an assistant coach for the Warriors’ G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors. This was his first formal coaching role. Two years later, he was officially promoted to head coach of the Santa Cruz Warriors.

In two years, he led the team to a 59-44 record in the G League, making him the second-winningest head coach in Santa Cruz Warriors history, earning wide recognition for his abilities. Therefore, his promotion to assistant coach this year was quite reasonable.

Looking over Kerr’s post-retirement career, I noticed his son’s coaching resume is much more solid than his father’s before becoming the Warriors’ head coach. After retiring, Kerr Sr. first worked as a commentator, then became the Suns’ general manager, but left after three years due to poor results, and later returned to broadcasting.

Before signing a five-year, $25 million contract to become the Warriors’ head coach in 2014, Kerr had never worked on a coaching staff of any team and was directly appointed as head coach. Lacob’s boldness was remarkable, giving him a long-term contract right away.

Of course, Kerr later proved his capability, with his tactical innovations leading the Warriors to a championship in his first season. Compared to his father, Nicholas Kerr has no professional playing experience; he started from scratch and took seven years to rise from video coordinator to assistant coach by his father’s side.

In a way, Kerr has achieved the father-and-son coaching together. Before Nicholas’s first G League head coaching game, Kerr gave him advice: “Don’t worry. When you stand on the court, you know what you should do, but soon you’ll realize ultimately the players decide everything on the floor. ‘Unfortunately, your first game won’t have Stephen (Curry) supporting you.’”

Although without Curry, Nicholas had his own star players. In his coaching debut, Bojemski scored 24 points, TJD put up 28, leading Nicholas Kerr to a victorious first game. Many players currently on the Warriors roster have played under Nicholas Kerr before.

You have to admit Nicholas Kerr benefits from being Kerr’s son. Kerr played in the league for a long time and, after retiring, accumulated extensive connections as a commentator and general manager, giving Nicholas a much higher starting point than most people.

Just like everyone acknowledges Bronny being drafted by the Lakers was because his father is LeBron James; otherwise, he might have started his career as an undrafted player. But whether it’s Kerr or James, what they can provide their sons is limited to an entry point.

From the moment you start working with the Lakers or Warriors, your father won’t give you any extra help. Your future achievements depend entirely on your ability and effort. Whether you can establish yourself in the NBA, move up, get more playing time or coaching opportunities, all depends on how hard and outstanding you are.

Warriors’ second-round pick Santos said about Nicholas Kerr: “Everyone is watching you, saying, ‘You have to be like your father, you have to be better than your father.’ Of course, he’s Steve Kerr’s son and proud of that, but I believe he wants to carve out his own path and prove himself.”