The idea of LeBron James joining the Golden State Warriors was a controversial one and brought a significant source of debate before his shock move to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.
There wasn't any internal conflict for Steve Kerr though, with the head coach holding a clear stance that he wanted the four-time MVP at the Warriors despite their noted rivalry after four-straight NBA Finals battles last decade.
Steve Kerr makes LeBron James stance clear after failed pursuit
Speaking recently on The Tom Tolbert Show, Kerr understood why some fans would've rejected the idea of James joining Golden State, but he himself was in on the move as the league patiently awaited a decision from the 41-year-old in July.
"So, I mean, just as a coach and having coached him in the Olympics -- sign me up. ... But it's been interesting hearing our fans. I think fans, you know, because of the emotional connection you have to your team and rivalries and all that stuff, I think it was just a weird thought. That's the reaction I'm getting from a lot of people," Kerr said.
As he's outlined previously, Kerr doesn't believe the Warriors were ever a serious suitor for James despite the myriad of speculation that certainly reached fever pitch when his good friend Draymond Green opted out of his player option just prior to free agency.
James certainly kept his cards close to his chest during a frenzied three-week period in July, ultimately rejecting Golden State and the favored Cleveland Cavaliers (among others) in signing a two-year, $7.9 million contract with Philadelphia.
Steve Kerr's LeBron James stance reflects Warriors desire to win
As much as seeing James in a Warrior jersey would have been a strange sight for many fans, Kerr's thoughts reflect the franchise's desire to win and return to legitimate playoff relevance after a frustrating season that saw them finish 10th in the Western Conference.
James was easily the biggest difference-maker Golden State could possibly land without having to give up assets. The value in him wasn't just through James remaining a top 20 player in the league, but because he was willing to sign a veteran minimum contract as he chases success in the final stage of his career.
The Warriors' pursuit of James ultimately fell short because they couldn't deliver the best path to success, leaving Kerr and the rest of the coaching staff with an uphill battle to get the team back to the playoffs with an older, injury-prone roster that will start with two of their best players, Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, on the sidelines.
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