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STEVE Kerr’s claim about Michael Jordan has resurfaced online after a major debate between First Take stars.
Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe clashed on the ESPN show this week in an argument about LeBron James.
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Sharpe noted that James has played continuously for 20 years.
While his great adversary Jordan had two breaks in his career, where he won six NBA titles.
Smith was livid with Sharpe’s claims and noted how much more physical the game was when Jordan played.
Sharpe then asked First Take host Molly Qerim what would happen if James decided to take years off.
“The media would be all over him,” Qerim replied.
Smith told Sharpe that he “should be ashamed” because of his opinion.
But a comment from Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr from 2016 seemed to back his former teammate Jordan.
Kerr won three NBA titles with Jordan’s Chicago Bulls from 1996 to 1998.
He then won another two with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999 and 2003.
Jordan famously took things personally – as shown in Netflix documentary The Last Dance.
And Kerr said in 2016 that the increased scrutiny today might have spurred MJ on even more.
“There would have been so many more slights,” Kerr said.
“He might have won more titles.”
Kerr is also a four-time NBA champion as a coach.
His Warriors beat James’ Cavaliers in the NBA Finals three times in four years.
Kerr got the opportunity to coach James this summer after years of facing him.
The Warriors boss led the USA national team to glory at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Kerr said, “You’re coaching guys that you’ve been coaching against.
“I loved getting to know these guys.
“LeBron was so incredible, just in his preparation.
“Engagement in every practice and every meeting, he was amazing.”
