Steve Kerr

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File:Kerr-bulls.jpg
Steve Kerr shoots the game-winning shot in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals for the Chicago Bulls.

Stephen Douglas "Steve" Kerr (born September 27, 1965 in Beirut, Lebanon) is an American former professional basketball player. He is the most accurate three-point shooter in league history[1], and a five-time National Basketball Association world champion.

Early life

As the son of Malcolm Kerr, an American academic who specialized in the Middle East, Kerr spent much of his childhood in Lebanon and other Arab states, such as Egypt where he attended Cairo American College. He attended Palisades High School (now Palisades Charter High School) in Pacific Palisades, California. On January 18, 1984, Kerr saw his life drastically change when his father, who was then serving as president of the American University of Beirut, was assassinated by suspected militant nationalists in Lebanon.

Basketball-playing career

In 1983, Kerr began his college years playing for the University of Arizona. In the summer of 1986, Kerr was named to the USA Basketball team that competed in the FIBA World Championship in Spain. The team became the last American Men's Senior Team comprised strictly from amateur players to capture a gold medal. Kerr injured his knee during the tournament, forcing him to miss an entire season at Arizona. After returning to the team, Kerr helped the Wildcats reach the Final Four of the NCAA Division I basketball tournament in 1988.

Kerr was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the 1988 NBA Draft, but then he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1989. He spent over three seasons there, and then part of a season with the Orlando Magic. In 1993, he signed with the Chicago Bulls. In seasons 1993-94 and 1994-95 the Bulls reached the playoffs, but, without Michael Jordan's presence for all of 1994 and much of 1995, they could not win championships. However, with Jordan back full time for the 1995-96 season, the Bulls went 72-10 and defeated the Seattle SuperSonics for the NBA championship, allowing Kerr to be a part of a team that set a record for the most wins in a season, and to start his run of four NBA championships in a row.

Kerr made the game-winning shot in Game Six of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz that gave the Bulls back-to-back championships. Kerr also won the 3 Point Shootout at the 1997 All-Star Game. The Bulls again triumphed over the Jazz in the 1998 Finals, after which Kerr was traded to the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs made it to the finals for the first time in their history, and Kerr won his fourth ring in a row when the Spurs beat the New York Knicks for the 1999 NBA championship. He is the only non-Boston Celtic to win four straight NBA titles.

In the 2003 playoffs, Kerr made key contributions in Game Six of the Spurs' Western Conference Finals series against the Dallas Mavericks, including four clutch three-pointers that helped eliminate the Mavericks. The Spurs eventually won the NBA championship that year by beating the New Jersey Nets in the 2003 NBA Finals, led by Kerr, David Robinson, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, among others.

Kerr ended his career as a dependable bench player who was capable of making jump shots and three-pointers during the game's most critical moments. He remained a key substitute for the Spurs until 2003.

Kerr announced his retirement after the 2003 NBA Finals. His career totals are: 5,437 points for six points per game, 1,060 rebounds for a total of 1.2 rebounds per game, and 1,658 assists for an average of 1.8 assists per game. He also retired as the league's all-time leader in three-point shooting percentage for a season (.524 in 1994-95) and career (.454).

Post-playing career

Shortly after announcing his retirement from playing, Kerr was hired as an NBA analyst by Turner Network Television (TNT). Kerr also contributes to Yahoo! as an NBA commentator. He often works game broadcasts on TNT with the legendary Marv Albert, and he currently also stars for the network in regular special, unsponsored segments called Steve Wonders? in which he goes over interesting facts in NBA history. He also provides his voice for the in-game commentary of EA Sports video game NBA Live 2007.

On April 15, 2004, Kerr was announced as a member of a potential group of buyers that would acquire his old team, the Suns, from Jerry Colangelo for $300 million. He is now part of Suns management, acting as a consultant.[2][3]

Trivia

  • Steve Kerr and Robert Horry alternated NBA Championships for a decade, and combined to win 11 championships over a twelve-year period. Either Kerr or Horry was on the roster of every NBA Championship team from the 1993-94 season through the 2002-03 season. Kerr's teams were winners in the NBA Finals in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2003. Horry's teams were victorious in the NBA Finals in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2005. Each won 3 titles playing for Phil Jackson-coached teams (the Lakers and Bulls), and every other championship with a team from Texas (the Spurs and Rockets).

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/TPP_career.html
  2. ^ http://www.nba.com/suns/news/kerr_bio.html
  3. ^ http://www.nba.com/suns/news/directory.html
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