The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1 with Steve Kerr
Date: February 4, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick
Guest: Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors Head Coach)
Location: Live from San Francisco, near Oracle Park
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode of The Dan Patrick Show dives into the intersection of sports culture, industry news, and pop-culture moments, blending humor with insight. The spotlight is on a feature interview with Warriors coach Steve Kerr, whose candor and perspective on the evolution of basketball—especially the three-point shot—anchor the hour. Discussion also spans NFL developments (season expansion, Pro Bowl), NBA trades, and Olympic buzz, offering both informed takes and behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. NFL Pro Bowl: Changing Traditions
- Dan and the crew react to the modern Pro Bowl format, flag football, and the fading of old-school physicality.
- Dan is accepting of the change:
“As long as nobody gets hurt, that’s all I care about” (07:36) - Todd jokes about the nature of Pro Bowl activities:
“Pro bowl activities… sounds like they’re going to be finger painting and playing with blocks” (07:02)
- Dan is accepting of the change:
2. NFL Season Expansion Debate
- Main topic: Should the NFL move to an 18-game season?
- Dan questions Commissioner Roger Goodell’s denial of discussions about expansion:
“You’re trying to tell me nobody’s brought up 18 games? ... Both sides are posturing here. The commissioner can say, yeah, we’ve talked about it... I think he’s telling a little fib.” (09:05–10:59)
- Issues at stake for NFLPA: Roster spots, second byes, health insurance extensions, international games, and player safety.
3. NBA Trades & James Harden’s Legacy
- James Harden is traded to Cleveland (now played for 6 NBA teams).
- Discussion if “Pro Bowl designation” (in NFL) and “Hall of Famer played for most teams” (in NBA) are meaningful:
- Quick trivia on NBA players with most teams: Vince Carter tops with 8. (26:39–26:49)
- Notable stat: After Harden’s trade, the Cavs' odds to win the NBA title jump from +2500 to +1200. (11:50)
4. Olympic Updates—Lindsey Vonn’s Inspiring Comeback
- Lindsey Vonn to compete in the Olympics with a partial ACL tear—analysis on pain, risk, and endorsement value.
- Estimated endorsements approaching $10 million for the year. (48:41)
5. Steve Kerr Interview
Interview Starts: (27:13)
A. Football Roots & Fandom
- Kerr is now a 49ers fan, grew up a Rams fan but didn’t “return” when they moved back to LA:
“It’s like your ex-girlfriend… runs off with someone and then comes back. It’s not the same thing.” (27:33)
B. The Three-Point Revolution
- Kerr deflects credit for changing the NBA:
“Yeah, I take zero responsibility for that, just so you know.” (27:51)
- Says Steph Curry is to “blame”—Kerr realized mid-first season with Steph that rules didn’t apply:
“Everything I’d ever been taught… were in the Hall of Fame, by the way… these are terrible shots. You can always get a better shot. And then halfway through I realized, that’s part of [Steph’s] power. And you just let him rip.” (28:09–29:20)
C. Cultural Shift: Player Empowerment & Coaching Philosophy
- On learning from Hall of Fame coaches (Popovich, Phil Jackson, Lute Olson, Lenny Wilkins):
“What I would say ties them all together is their authenticity… the players need to feel that conviction, that authenticity, that compassion.” (32:02)
- Praises Phil Jackson’s pioneering emotional tuning and empowerment of players:
“Phil helped usher in this modern era… coaches today are much more like Phil.” (33:09–34:29)
D. Life with Steph Curry & the Warriors
- Dan asks if Kerr & Steph Curry are a “package deal”:
“I would never leave him, I can tell you that… I’m not going to become a free agent and go sign with another team to coach. But it all has to play out, you know, with the organization. Hopefully… that’s how it ends up.” (34:29–35:14)
E. Trade Memories and the Human Side of Pro Sports
- On being traded 5 times:
“Really hard. It’s a lot easier if you get traded in the off season.” (35:14–36:14)
- Once had to leave family behind during the school year.
F. Steph Curry & Victor Wembanyama: Game Changers
- Kerr agrees Curry's legacy is in making kids believe they could “be like Steph” versus the physical impossibility of being like Jordan or Wembanyama:
“But there’s so few people who are ever born to look like that. That’s what Steph’s appeal is… at least you can imagine being like.” (37:04–38:01)
G. Kerr & Draymond Green: Relationships
- On Draymond:
“He’s so emotional and passionate… he’s the first to tell you he’s flawed… but you can’t win without competitive desire like that on your team.” (39:12–39:59)
H. Personal Trivia
- Kerr’s claim to fame: Possibly the most championship “rings per start” in NBA history.
“I’m very proud of that.” (38:27)
6. Memorable Quotes & Anecdotes
-
On Steph Curry’s Green Light:
“About halfway through my first year coaching Steph, I realized that’s part of his power. And you just let him rip.” (Steve Kerr, 28:09–29:20) -
On the Changing Nature of Coaching:
“What I would say ties them all together is their authenticity… the players need to feel that conviction, that authenticity, that compassion.” (Steve Kerr, 32:02) -
On NBA Copycats and Swag:
“You can get players who have it, but they shouldn’t have it… the person shooting percentages don’t go hand in hand.” (Steve Kerr, 29:23) -
On Being ‘Like Mike’ vs. Like Steph:
“You feel like you can be like Steph… that’s what Steph’s appeal is, you know, to so many people, boys and girls.” (Dan Patrick & Steve Kerr, 36:56–38:01)
Important Timestamps
- NFL Pro Bowl Discussion: 05:38–07:57
- NFL 18-Game Season Debate: 08:00–11:50
- James Harden Trade & NBA Trivia: 11:50–14:47, 25:57–26:54
- Lindsey Vonn & Olympics: 15:29–18:12, 48:41
- Steve Kerr Interview Begins: 27:13
- Football Roots: 27:15–27:41
- Three-Point Revolution: 27:51–29:20
- Coaching Philosophy: 32:02–34:29
- On Steph-as-Coaching Package: 34:29–35:14
- Trade Stories: 35:14–36:14
- Wembanyama & Curry as "Game Changers": 36:56–38:01
- Draymond Green: 39:12–39:59
- Endorsement Trivia: 48:41
Notable Moments
- Steve Kerr’s dog barking in the background during the interview.
- Kerr’s story about hiding a $10,000 fine from his wife after something he said on the show as a Suns executive. (Briefly referenced, 12:20)
- Humor around being a “close talker” and proper physical space etiquette. (49:40–51:38)
Tone & Style
- Relaxed, self-deprecating, with quick-witted banter.
- Kerr matches Dan’s conversational, inside-joke cadence.
- Informative yet always with an accessible, “clubhouse” authenticity.
For Listeners Who Didn’t Catch the Episode
This show delivers an easygoing but insightful look at big topics—the state of the NFL season, shifting NBA superstars, the impact of Steph Curry, and what makes a great coach—tied together by a warm, funny conversation with Steve Kerr. One of the key takeaways: Behind success (in coaching, playing, broadcasting), authenticity and adaptability are king. And if you’re ever at risk of being fined $10,000 for something you said on-air, maybe don’t tell your spouse.
