Podcast Summary: The New Yorker Radio Hour
Episode: The N.B.A. Legend Steve Kerr
Date: May 5, 2026
Host: David Remnick
Guest: Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors coach, NBA champion, political advocate)
Interviewer: Charles Bethea (Staff Writer at The New Yorker)
Overview
This episode features a wide-ranging conversation between Charles Bethea and Steve Kerr, exploring Kerr’s multicultural upbringing, basketball career, coaching philosophy, and his foray into political commentary. The dialogue moves seamlessly from personal and historical reflections to insider basketball talk, social commentary, and even musings on the future of the game.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Kerr’s International Upbringing and Family Background
- Childhood abroad: Steve Kerr recounted frequent moves during his upbringing, due to his father’s academic career—living in Beirut, Cairo, and the Pacific Palisades (04:01):
- “Most of the time was in the Palisades, but with these periodic journeys overseas.” (04:15, Steve Kerr)
- Playing basketball on dirt courts in Egypt, learning to account for wind and uneven surfaces, which he humorously compared to "the gaps in the floor at the Boston Garden" (05:53, Steve Kerr).
- Father’s influence and tragedy: Kerr discussed his father Malcolm Kerr's assassination while serving as president of American University of Beirut, and how Malcolm’s commitment to "foster cross cultural respect" left both an influence and an irony in light of his death (06:05):
- "He spoke fluent Arabic. He was fostering goodwill between America and Lebanon… he was the victim of political terrorism." (06:49, Steve Kerr)
- Role of basketball in grief: Kerr described using basketball as both solace and structure after his father’s death (06:49).
Basketball Career: Player to Coach
- Early career doubts and breakthrough: Kerr didn’t truly consider the NBA as a possibility until his senior year at Arizona, describing it as a fantasy rather than a clear goal (07:41):
- “…maybe I could sneak into the NBA for a couple years, have a cup of coffee, make a team and be able to tell my kids I played in the NBA.” (07:41, Steve Kerr)
- He credited Coach Lute Olson for transforming Arizona basketball into a powerhouse and shaping Kerr’s career (08:42).
- Joining the Chicago Bulls: Kerr joined the Bulls after several years with other teams, thriving as a three-point specialist and benefiting from Michael Jordan drawing defenders (09:17):
- Humorous reference to a scuffle with Jordan: “I like to say I hit him in the fist with my eye.” (09:46, Steve Kerr)
Comparing NBA Legends: Michael Jordan and LeBron James
- Kerr provided nuanced analysis on the perennial debate between Jordan and LeBron (10:47–12:39):
- “LeBron is a better passer, more of a point forward... his brilliance... lies in more of a kind of holistic game... I’ve always felt scoring is secondary for LeBron, but he’s the greatest scorer in the history of the NBA, incidentally.” (11:25, Steve Kerr)
- “Playing with Michael, I saw the killer instinct, the killer mentality, the emotional dominance he had... I don’t see [that] with LeBron. They’re very different. In my lifetime, I’ve never felt the same way on a basketball floor as I did with Michael.” (12:06, Steve Kerr)
- Asked to choose between them: "I'll take them both. By the way, Steph's on that, too." (12:42–12:45, Steve Kerr)
Evolution of the Game
- Kerr contrasted the increased physicality of the 1990s NBA with today’s focus on pace and space (13:03):
- "LeBron would handle it fine... Back then, we weren't nearly as concerned with, like, too much physicality... guys would literally punch each other and stay in the game." (13:03, Steve Kerr)
- “It’s faster and it’s more skilled than ever… that physicality [difference] has more to do with style of play.” (13:03, Steve Kerr)
Political Commentary and Social Stance
- Speaking out during the Trump era: Kerr reflected on comments made after the 2016 election and how he moderates his tone now (19:33–22:54):
- “I do remember in the early days of his presidency… I was so disgusted that I didn’t hold back from showing my disgust… I needed to be better in terms of representing our organization…” (19:33, Steve Kerr)
- “I kind of regret that. Even though I felt it in my heart… I don’t think it was the right approach.” (22:41, Steve Kerr)
- “It’s better to point out policy decisions, but also American values, values in general. Like, I think we’ve… lost our way.” (22:54, Steve Kerr)
- Gun violence advocacy: Spoke poignantly about the Uvalde school shooting and his call for action (25:26):
- "I’m so tired of the moments of silence. Enough." (25:26, Steve Kerr)
- Interest in politics? Kerr downplayed any plans but acknowledged the compliment (26:17):
- "I appreciate it. No, I don’t have any desire to go into politics... I love basketball." (26:17, Steve Kerr)
Memorable Personal Anecdotes
- Golf with Obama: Kerr recounted an invitation to play Pebble Beach with President Obama and Thomas Friedman, discussing both politics and basketball, calling it “one of the best experiences of my life.” (24:02–25:06)
Changing the Game: Four-Point Line?
- Kerr’s take on evolving rules (27:04):
- "I would never, never do a four point play. In fact, I would even consider getting rid of the three point line." (27:04, Steve Kerr)
- Expanded, noting how analytics have homogenized shot selection: “…some ways the game has gotten homogenized by the analytics revolution and the three point line, the combination.” (27:16, Steve Kerr)
Coaching Philosophy, Adversity, and the Future
- What drives him: Kerr articulated the core of his motivation (29:05):
- “That’s all that really matters, you know: do you enjoy what you do every day, and are you fulfilled? And I still am... And this year was our worst season we've ever had... but I don’t look at it like I’m a failure now, or I was wildly successful then... it’s all part of your existence as a coach, as a human being.” (29:05, Steve Kerr)
- Warriors’ future and his own: On whether he’ll return as coach:
- “Most coaching runs... just last a certain amount of time... And what we have to figure out is, is now that time... I don’t want to abandon those guys. I love those guys, and I love working with them. I love my job. But I respect the fact that the organization has to think about what's next.” (30:41–31:08, Steve Kerr)
- “Whatever happens, it’s going to end well.” (32:09, Steve Kerr)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
-
"I like to say I hit him in the fist with my eye."
— Steve Kerr on scuffling with Michael Jordan in practice. (09:46)
-
"LeBron James, the greatest athlete of all time. Playing with Michael, I saw the killer instinct, the killer mentality, the emotional dominance... there’s never been anybody like that."
— Steve Kerr on LeBron, Jordan, and what sets each apart. (11:25–12:29)
-
"I’m so tired of getting up here and offering condolences... I’m so tired of the moments of silence. Enough."
— Steve Kerr on gun violence advocacy and Uvalde shooting response. (25:26)
-
"I would never, never do a four point play. In fact, I would even consider getting rid of the three point line."
— Steve Kerr on basketball’s evolving rules and analytics. (27:04)
-
“That’s all that really matters, you know: do you enjoy what you do every day, and are you fulfilled? And I still am.”
— Steve Kerr summarizing his philosophy as a coach and person. (29:05)
Important Timestamps
- Upbringing & family: 03:49–06:49
- College days & Arizona’s rise: 07:35–09:06
- Chicago Bulls, Jordan stories: 09:06–10:47
- LeBron vs. Jordan discussion: 10:47–12:39
- NBA physicality, changes in style: 12:49–14:24
- Political commentary, Trump era: 19:10–23:24
- Golf with Obama, Thomas Friedman: 23:42–25:06
- Gun violence advocacy: 25:06–25:54
- Kerr on politics & Warriors future: 25:54–32:09
Tone
The tone is warm, reflective, and frequently humorous—marked by Steve Kerr’s candor and humility, Charles Bethea’s curiosity, and moments of levity about basketball and life. Even in discussions of profound loss and political disillusionment, Kerr’s introspection and empathy shine through.
This episode offers a full portrait of Steve Kerr as athlete, coach, advocate, and global citizen—illuminating his approach to adversity, team, and personal values, and providing incisive commentary on the evolution of basketball and American culture.