Steve Kerr's remarkable NBA career spans both playing and coaching, owning five rings as a player and four as a coach. As a player, Kerr's legacy flourished during his time with the Chicago Bulls, where he contributed to three of their Championships as well as with the San Antonio Spurs. His clutch shooting, highlighted by a game-winning shot in the 1997 NBA Finals, solidified his role in the Bulls' dominance.
When he transitioned to coaching, Kerr's leadership propelled the Golden State Warriors to four championships in eight years (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022). His strategic brilliance and emphasis on teamwork established the Warriors as one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history and revolutionized how the NBA plays.
Join us as we explore Steve Kerr's championship rings, delving into his impactful journey as a player and coach!
Name: Stephen Douglas Kerr
Position: Point Guard, Shooting Guard
Height: 6-3 (190 cm)
Weight: 175 lbs (79 kg)
School: Arizona
Draft: Phoenix Suns (25th Pick, 50th Overall, 1988)
As a player:
As a coach:
Season | Record | Off Rtf | Def Rtg | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG%/FGM | 3P%/3PM |
1995-96 | 72-10 | 115.2 | 101.8 | 105.2 | 44.6 | 24.8 | 9.1 | 4.2 | .478/40.2 | .402/6.6 |
League Rank | 1st in East | 1st | 1st | 1st | 4th | 5th | 3rd | 21st | 7th/1st | 3rd/10th |
Kerr was instrumental to Chicago's success in the 1995-96 season, providing sharpshooting and reliable playmaking off the bench. Known for his excellent three-point shooting, Kerr played a crucial role in spreading the floor and creating space for his teammates. He averaged 8.4 points per game while shooting an impressive 50.6% from the field and 51.5% from beyond the arc.
Kerr's long-range accuracy was vital in stretching opposing defenses and opening up opportunities for Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Kerr struggled through the playoffs, averaging just 6.8 points in 19.8 minutes while seeing his impressive shooting percentages take a hit. Regardless, his ability to excel in pressure-packed situations and provide valuable scoring off the bench made him an invaluable member of the historic 1995-96 Bulls team.
Season | Record | Off Rtf | Def Rtg | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG%/FGM | 3P%/3PM |
1996-97 | 69-13 | 114.4 | 102.4 | 103.1 | 45.1 | 26.1 | 8.7 | 4.0 | .473/40.0 | .373/6.4 |
League Rank | 1st in East | 1st | 4th | 1st | 2nd | 2nd | 7th | 25th | 3rd/1st | 6th/12th |
In his fourth season with the Chicago Bulls, Kerr maintained his role as floor spreader and three-point shooting ace. He averaged 8.1 points per game, shooting 53.3% from the field and 46.4% from beyond the arc.
Kerr's ability to knock down crucial shots in critical moments earned him a reputation as a clutch performer, as seen through his game-winning shot in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals. His calm demeanor and basketball IQ made him a valuable asset to the Bulls' championship aspirations. Kerr's contributions were vital in helping the Bulls secure their fifth NBA championship of the 1990s.
Season | Record | Off Rtf | Def Rtg | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG%/FGM | 3P%/3PM |
1997-98 | 62-20 | 107.7 | 99.8 | 96.7 | 44.9 | 23.8 | 8.5 | 4.3 | .451/37.4 | .323/3.8 |
League Rank | 1st in East | 9th | 3rd | 9th | 2nd | 7th | 10th | 23rd | 16th/5th | 23rd/17th |
Steve Kerr's 1997-98 NBA season marked his final year as a player for the Chicago Bulls and fittingly capped off his successful tenure with the team. Kerr continued to provide invaluable contributions off the bench, showcasing his trademark sharpshooting and veteran leadership. Despite playing just 50 games, he made the most of his opportunities, averaging 7.5 points per game and shooting an impressive 45.4% from the field and 43.8% from beyond the arc.
Kerr's ability to knock down crucial three-pointers in clutch moments became a trademark of his game. His accomplishments reached their pinnacle as he helped the Bulls secure their sixth NBA championship of the 1990s. Steve Kerr's 1997-98 season is a testament to his professionalism, clutch performances, and invaluable contributions to the Bulls' dynasty.
Season | Record | Off Rtf | Def Rtg | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG%/FGM | 3P%/3PM |
1998-99 | 37-13 | 104.0 | 95.0 | 92.8 | 44.0 | 22.0 | 8.4 | 7.0 | .456/34.8 | .330/3.4 |
League Rank | 1st in West | 11th | 1st | 13th | 4th | 6th | 15th | 1st | 5th/12th | 19th/24th |
Steve Kerr's 1998-99 NBA season saw him continue his playing career as a member of the San Antonio Spurs. At 33, Kerr gave the team valuable shooting and veteran leadership, contributing to their success during the shortened season due to a lockout. Kerr's offense wasn't as potent as usual, averaging 4.4 points per game while shooting 39.1% from the field and 31.3% from beyond the arc.
Despite playing just 44 games, Kerr's contributions and professionalism were instrumental in helping the Spurs reach the playoffs. Steve Kerr's 1998-99 season was another chapter in his accomplished playing career, earning another NBA Championship after leaving the Chicago Bulls.
Season | Record | Off Rtf | Def Rtg | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG%/FGM | 3P%/3PM |
2002-03 | 60-22 | 105.6 | 99.7 | 95.8 | 42.6 | 20.0 | 7.7 | 6.5 | .462/35.5 | .354/5.5 |
League Rank | 1st in West | 7th | 3rd | 12th | 11th | 22nd | 17th | 1st | 4th/16th | 11th/11th |
In Steve Kerr's final season as a player, the sharpshooting point guard helped his Spurs, and himself, to another NBA Championship ring. Kerr played 75 games despite limited playing time, more than any one of his previous five seasons. He averaged 4.0 points, and 1.4 assists per game that season while shooting 39.5% from beyond the arc.
His veteran presence and experience helped the Spurs secure the top seed in the Western Conference and ultimately win the NBA Championship. While his playoff contributions were limited, he still showed off his quality by going 4 of 4 from three to help eliminate the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. Kerr's 2002-03 season capped off an incredible career, proving him to be one of the league's greatest role players.
Season | Record | Off Rtf | Def Rtg | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG%/FGM | 3P%/3PM |
2014-15 | 67-15 | 111.6 | 101.4 | 110.0 | 44.7 | 27.4 | 9.3 | 6.0 | .478/87.0 | .398/10.8 |
League Rank | 1st in West | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 6th | 1st | 4th | 2nd | 1st/3rd | 1st/2nd |
Steve Kerr took on his first and only NBA head coaching position in 2014, where he was contracted to lead the Golden State Warriors after back-to-back playoff eliminations under Mark Jackson. Already one of the league's better offensive teams, Kerr helped the Warriors hone their scoring potential while developing a top-tier defense.
After winning the best record in the NBA, the Warriors cruised to the NBA Championship, not losing more than two games in any single series. It was the beginning of a dynasty, which Kerr defined through ball movement, defense, and the best shooting ability the NBA has ever seen.
Season | Record | Off Rtf | Def Rtg | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG%/FGM | 3P%/3PM |
2016-17 | 67-15 | 115.6 | 104.0 | 115.9 | 44.4 | 30.4 | 9.6 | 6.8 | .495/87.1 | .383/12.0 |
League Rank | 1st in West | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 7th | 1st | 1st | 1st | 9th/1st | 3rd/4th |
After a record-breaking season, Steve Kerr and the Warriors' 73-win year was dulled as they failed to win an NBA Championship. Channeling the success of their championship year, the Warriors went on to once again be the league's premiere two-way team - now with Kevin Durant added to the mix.
The Golden State Warriors had a near-perfect post-season, eliminating the Trail Blazers, Jazz, and Spurs without posting a single loss. In their NBA Finals rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Golden State Warriors won their second NBA title under Steve Kerr while establishing themselves as the preeminent power in the NBA.
Season | Record | Off Rtf | Def Rtg | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG%/FGM | 3P%/3PM |
2017-18 | 58-24 | 113.6 | 107.6 | 113.5 | 43.5 | 29.3 | 8.0 | 7.5 | .503/42.8 | .391/11.3 |
League Rank | 2nd in West | 3rd | 11th | 1st | 17th | 1st | 9th | 1st | 1st/1st | 1st/8th |
Steve Kerr's 2017-18 campaign leading the Golden State Warriors saw a dip in their excellent form over the last three years, but it still earned them second in the West and the third-best record in the NBA. With some added punch off the bench and Durant and Curry still leading the Warriors, their post-season success seemed almost guaranteed.
Despite finding most of their success without issue, the Warriors faced great adversity from the first-seed Houston Rockets, who pushed them to seven games. Steve Kerr, facing their rival Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, led his team to another title with four straight wins.
Season | Record | Off Rtf | Def Rtg | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG%/FGM | 3P%/3PM |
2021-22 | 53-29 | 112.5 | 106.9 | 111.0 | 45.5 | 27.1 | 8.8 | 4.5 | .469/40.5 | .364/14.3 |
League Rank | 3rd in West | 17th | 1st | 15th | 7th | 5th | 4th | 18th | 10th/17th | 8th/3rd |
After three straight seasons of roster shuffling, significant injuries, and some time spent in the lottery, the Golden State Warriors shocked the world in 2022. With what many considered their weakest championship lineup, the Warriors showed they could accomplish anything with their star trio of Curry, Thompson, and Green available to play.
Having to adjust more than in his previous championship runs, Kerr found production in young players like Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins to help his team win. Going 16-6 in the post-season and earning their fourth title in eight years, Kerr and the Warriors announced their return to the NBA's elite company.
From the iconic Michael Jordan to the legendary Bill Russell, these players have left an indelible mark on the sport through their numerous championship victories. By comparing Kerr's rings with the success of these esteemed players, one can appreciate Kerr's value within his championship squads.
Player | No. of Rings | Years Won | Team(s) |
Bill Russell | 11 | 1957, 1959-69 | Boston Celtics |
Sam Jones | 10 | 1959-66, 1968-69 | Boston Celtics |
Robert Horry | 7 | 1994-95, 2000-2002, 2005, 2007 | Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs |
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 6 | 1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988 | Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers |
Michael Jordan | 6 | 1991-93, 1996-98 | Chicago Bulls |
Scottie Pippen | 6 | 1991-93, 1996-98 | Chicago Bulls |
Magic Johnson | 5 | 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987-88 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Tim Duncan | 5 | 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 | San Antonio Spurs |
Kobe Bryant | 5 | 2000-02, 2009-10 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Steve Kerr | 5 | 1996-99, 2003 | Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs |
LeBron James | 4 | 2012-13, 2016, 2020 | Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers |
In terms of coaching, Steve Kerr's championship success has positioned him among the winningest coaches in NBA history. As we delve into this section, we can see how Kerr's collection of championship rings compares to the achievements of the most successful coaches in the league.
Coach | No. of Rings | Years Won | Team(s) |
Phil Jackson | 11 | 1991-93, 1996-98, 2000-02 | Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers |
Red Auerbach | 9 | 1957, 1959-66 | Boston Celtics |
Gregg Popovich | 5 | 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 | San Antonio Spurs |
Pat Riley | 5 | 1982, 1985, 1987-88, 2006 | Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat |
Steve Kerr | 4 | 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022 | Golden State Warriors |
As an accomplished player and coach, Steve Kerr's NBA Finals appearances have placed him in the company of basketball legends. In this section, we'll see how Kerr's trips to the NBA Finals stack up against some of the greatest names in the game's history.
While Kerr's playing career featured a notable stint alongside Michael Jordan on the dominant Chicago Bulls, his coaching tenure with the Golden State Warriors propelled him to even greater heights. He may have just been a role player during his playing career, but it speaks volumes that he was wanted by some of the league's best-ever teams.
Player | Finals Appearances | Year | Team(s) |
Bill Russell | 12 | 1957, 1959-66, 1968-69 | Boston Celtics |
Sam Jones | 11 | 1958-1966, 1968-1969 | Boston Celtics |
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 10 | 1971, 1974, 1980, 1982-1989 | Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers |
LeBron James | 10 | 2007, 2011-2014, 2015-2018, 2020 | Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers |
Tom Heinsohn | 9 | 1957-1965 | Boston Celtics |
Magic Johnson | 9 | 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Jerry West | 9 | 1962-1966, 1968-1970 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Frank Ramsey | 8 | 1957-1964 | Boston Celtics |
K. C. Jones | 8 | 1959-1966 | Boston Celtics |
John Havlicek | 8 | 1963-1966, 1968-1969, 1974, 1976 | Boston Celtics |
Bob Cousy | 7 | 1957-1963 | Boston Celtics |
Robert Horry | 7 | 1994-1995, 2000-2002, 2005-2007 | Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs |
Kobe Bryant | 7 | 2000-2002 2004, 2008-2010 | Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs |
James Worthy | 6 | 1984-1985, 1987-1989, 1991 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Michael Jordan | 6 | 1991-1993, 1996-1998 | Chicago Bulls |
Scottie Pippen | 6 | 1991-1993, 1996-1998 | Chicago Bulls |
Shaquille O'Neal | 6 | 1995, 2000-2002, 2004, 2006 | Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat |
Tim Duncan | 6 | 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2014 | San Antonio Spurs |
Tony Parker | 5 | 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2014 | San Antonio Spurs |
Larry Bird | 5 | 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 | Boston Celtics |
Steve Kerr | 5 | 1996-99, 2003 | Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs |
We support responsible gambling. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you need help, call 1-800-Gambler.
WSN.com is managed by Gentoo Media. Unless declared otherwise, all of the visible content on this site, such as texts and images, including the brand name and logo, belongs to Innovation Labs Limited (a Gentoo Media company) - Company Registration Number C44130, VAT ID: MT18874732, @GIG Beach Triq id-Dragunara, St. Julians, STJ3148, Malta.
Advertising Disclosure: WSN.com contains links to partner websites. When a visitor to our website clicks on one of these links and makes a purchase at a partner site, World Sports Network is paid a commission.
Copyright © 2024