TMTTRIO
12-06-2005, 09:30 PM
http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/kerrfeature_051206.html
December 6, 2005
Is His Own Words: Steve Kerr
Translation provided by Monica Gil Casias
Although Steve Kerr retired from professional basketball more than two years ago, he still continues to be recognized as one of the more charismatic personalities around the league. It shone with the San Antonio Spurs, where Steve became one of the nearest friends of Manu Ginóbili when the Argentinean fulfilled his first campaign with the Spurs. At the moment Kerr works as an NBA commentator for TNT and he is also one of the shareholders of the Phoenix Suns.
How do you feel so far, about working next to Reggie Miller commentating on the games for TNT?
It’s a lot of fun working with Reggie. I played against him when we were both assisting the University, I played for Arizona and he played for UCLA, and of course many years In the NBA. We are now both in the same team and it’s a lot better then having to play against him.
What words of advice have you given Reggie with this new career as a commentator?
I’m trying to give him the same words of advice that Mike Frattello and Mike Robert gave me when I started my career In the Media. Things like the rhythm of broadcasting, how to manage time, when to speak and when to remain silent. I try to show him all the innovation about this business. In reality he has learned everything real fast, to acquire experience is most important and Reggie knows so much about the world of basketball.
When Manu Ginobili was a rookie you developed a good friendship with him, as being part of the San Antonio team, how is your relationship nowadays with Ginobili?
Manu is not only one of my favorite NBA players, but rather an excellent person. It’s incredible how now that he’s a super star of the league, he continues to be the same person I met three years ago In San Antonio. It’s a beautiful combination, he’s an incredible competitor but at the same time a friendly person and that’s what makes him so special.
At one time, Manu said that you had been like his “older brother” when he arrived to San Antonio, because of the way in which you helped him, what do you think of this?
It’s very flattering for him to say that. When you are a rookie In the NBA, you should always have older brothers who can show you the road to follow. I think that back in those days we were a perfect team with people like Kevin Willis, Steve Smith, and Danny Ferry. Therefore, we tried so that Manu would feel good as a rookie and learn all that we were able to show him. It’s a great honor for Manu to say that about me.
As a basketball player, how do you see Ginobili’s development in the league?
I think that when he first arrived to the league, his style of game was a little “savage.” I believe that he was trying to see what he could do and what he couldn’t do. Now he knows. He knows when to attack, when to pause, and he better understands the style of game In the NBA. I feel that his development has been so great that you can now consider him one of the best 10 players of the NBA. The statistics won't always be the same. He is not a player that can score 25 points every game night; sometimes he will score 40 points like he did last year against Phoenix. He’s an excellent competitor and a great team player. If I would have to initiate a new franchise within the NBA, with certainty I would have Manu play for the team.
What is the difference between the Spurs with whom you won the 2002-03 championship and the Spurs who are now defending a new title?
I believe that the Spurs of today are better since they already count on major depth. On the other hand they can also count on the power coming from the bench with players like Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel. Tony Parker and Manu are much better players then what they used to be. Inclusively, Tony has transformed himself in to on of the best guards in the league. Manu is a much better player then three years ago. Therefore, with the experience they have acquired makes the actual Spurs a much better team then before.
What do you think of the new Argentine reinforcement of the Spurs, Fabricio Oberto?
I believe that Fabricio is a great player who fits perfect with the Spurs system. He reminds me a little of Dennis Rodman because of his defensive and offensive rebounds and his constant activity. He’s a very flexible player, he maintains alert while out on the court and most important he shares and distributes the ball. I feel that he puts the team’s benefits first before his own. I repeat he is the perfect player for San Antonio and he is going to enjoy playing with the team a lot.
December 6, 2005
Is His Own Words: Steve Kerr
Translation provided by Monica Gil Casias
Although Steve Kerr retired from professional basketball more than two years ago, he still continues to be recognized as one of the more charismatic personalities around the league. It shone with the San Antonio Spurs, where Steve became one of the nearest friends of Manu Ginóbili when the Argentinean fulfilled his first campaign with the Spurs. At the moment Kerr works as an NBA commentator for TNT and he is also one of the shareholders of the Phoenix Suns.
How do you feel so far, about working next to Reggie Miller commentating on the games for TNT?
It’s a lot of fun working with Reggie. I played against him when we were both assisting the University, I played for Arizona and he played for UCLA, and of course many years In the NBA. We are now both in the same team and it’s a lot better then having to play against him.
What words of advice have you given Reggie with this new career as a commentator?
I’m trying to give him the same words of advice that Mike Frattello and Mike Robert gave me when I started my career In the Media. Things like the rhythm of broadcasting, how to manage time, when to speak and when to remain silent. I try to show him all the innovation about this business. In reality he has learned everything real fast, to acquire experience is most important and Reggie knows so much about the world of basketball.
When Manu Ginobili was a rookie you developed a good friendship with him, as being part of the San Antonio team, how is your relationship nowadays with Ginobili?
Manu is not only one of my favorite NBA players, but rather an excellent person. It’s incredible how now that he’s a super star of the league, he continues to be the same person I met three years ago In San Antonio. It’s a beautiful combination, he’s an incredible competitor but at the same time a friendly person and that’s what makes him so special.
At one time, Manu said that you had been like his “older brother” when he arrived to San Antonio, because of the way in which you helped him, what do you think of this?
It’s very flattering for him to say that. When you are a rookie In the NBA, you should always have older brothers who can show you the road to follow. I think that back in those days we were a perfect team with people like Kevin Willis, Steve Smith, and Danny Ferry. Therefore, we tried so that Manu would feel good as a rookie and learn all that we were able to show him. It’s a great honor for Manu to say that about me.
As a basketball player, how do you see Ginobili’s development in the league?
I think that when he first arrived to the league, his style of game was a little “savage.” I believe that he was trying to see what he could do and what he couldn’t do. Now he knows. He knows when to attack, when to pause, and he better understands the style of game In the NBA. I feel that his development has been so great that you can now consider him one of the best 10 players of the NBA. The statistics won't always be the same. He is not a player that can score 25 points every game night; sometimes he will score 40 points like he did last year against Phoenix. He’s an excellent competitor and a great team player. If I would have to initiate a new franchise within the NBA, with certainty I would have Manu play for the team.
What is the difference between the Spurs with whom you won the 2002-03 championship and the Spurs who are now defending a new title?
I believe that the Spurs of today are better since they already count on major depth. On the other hand they can also count on the power coming from the bench with players like Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel. Tony Parker and Manu are much better players then what they used to be. Inclusively, Tony has transformed himself in to on of the best guards in the league. Manu is a much better player then three years ago. Therefore, with the experience they have acquired makes the actual Spurs a much better team then before.
What do you think of the new Argentine reinforcement of the Spurs, Fabricio Oberto?
I believe that Fabricio is a great player who fits perfect with the Spurs system. He reminds me a little of Dennis Rodman because of his defensive and offensive rebounds and his constant activity. He’s a very flexible player, he maintains alert while out on the court and most important he shares and distributes the ball. I feel that he puts the team’s benefits first before his own. I repeat he is the perfect player for San Antonio and he is going to enjoy playing with the team a lot.