Even championship-winning coaches have moments from their playing days that keep them up at night. For Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, one such haunting memory comes from a festive NBA showdown nearly three decades ago. Kerr recently opened up about his "biggest mistake" during the iconic 1994 Christmas Day game between the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks, a blunder that almost cost his team the victory.
The Costly Mistake That Forced Overtime
The stage was set on December 25, 1994. The Chicago Bulls, in the era between Michael Jordan's first two retirements, were locked in a tense battle with their Eastern Conference rivals, the New York Knicks. With merely 3.3 seconds remaining on the clock, the Bulls were protecting a narrow 3-point lead. Victory seemed assured.
In a moment of misjudgment that Kerr still regrets, the play unfolded. As Knicks forward Anthony Mason drove for a last-gasp dunk, Kerr, then a Bulls guard, leaped to block it. His intention was to tap the ball to a teammate. Instead, the ball went directly to a Knicks guard, who promptly sank a dramatic three-pointer as time expired. The game was tied, sending the contest into an unexpected overtime period.
"I Would've Been The Goat": Kerr's Candid Confession
In a frank interview with ESPN, Kerr did not mince words about the error. "It was the biggest mistake I've ever made," he admitted. "It was a huge gaffe. It was just dumb. One of the biggest nightmares of my career." He humorously yet painfully added that he would have been the "goat" for that play—not the "GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time), but the scapegoat.
What rubs salt in the wound is the annual reminder. "The problem is now every Christmas Day when they start playing [vintage] games on NBA TV, they still show that," Kerr lamented. "I'm like, f**k, would you guys leave me alone?" The replay ensures his youthful error is never truly forgotten.
Scottie Pippen's Heroics Save The Day
Fortunately for Kerr and the Bulls, superstar Scottie Pippen was in phenomenal form that night. Pippen put up a monstrous stat line of 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists to carry the team. He was ably supported by Toni Kukoc (25 points) and B.J. Armstrong (16 points).
When Kerr's mistake forced overtime, Pippen took over. He scored 7 crucial points in the extra period to secure a hard-fought win for the Bulls. In a classy move immediately after the final buzzer, Pippen hugged his dejected teammate, easing the tension and showcasing true leadership.
Kerr himself played 28 minutes in the game, contributing 9 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists. But his lasting memory is of the one play he wishes he could take back.
This story from Kerr's past contrasts with his current coaching challenges. In a separate recent incident, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was reported to have had a heated argument with Kerr over defensive strategy during a game against the Orlando Magic, leading to Green leaving the bench. It seems managing high-pressure moments, whether as a player or a coach, remains a constant in the high-stakes world of the NBA.
