Steve Kerr explains why today’s NBA players never escape the spotlight

The NBA has evolved far beyond changes in playing style or analytics. According to ESPN FC, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recently reflected on how the modern media environment has transformed the daily reality of professional athletes.

Speaking in an interview alongside former NBA star Steve Nash, Kerr contrasted his own playing days with the world current players must navigate, one where privacy is scarce and attention never fades.

A league that once had breathing room

Kerr, now both an NBA head coach and a minority owner of Spanish football club RCD Mallorca, explained that life in the league during the 1990s unfolded at a much slower pace. According to the ESPN FC interview, news traveled gradually, and players could avoid public reaction simply by stepping away from newspapers or television.

That distance mattered. Kerr said it allowed teams to resolve internal problems internally and helped players build trust without feeling exposed to constant outside judgment.

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When conflict stayed inside the locker room

During the interview, the conversation turned to a well known practice incident involving Kerr and Michael Jordan during their time with the Chicago Bulls. According to ESPN FC, Kerr joked that Jordan gained respect for him after the confrontation, but emphasized that the moment ultimately strengthened their working relationship.

What mattered more, Kerr explained, was that the altercation remained private for more than a year. The delay gave the team time to move forward without public pressure or speculation, preserving stability inside the locker room.

Living under nonstop scrutiny

Kerr contrasted that experience with what players face today. According to ESPN FC, he said social media has created an environment where athletes are constantly exposed to criticism, commentary, and reaction at all hours.

With mobile phones everywhere and instant sharing as the norm, nearly any moment can be recorded and distributed within minutes. Kerr noted that unlike in the past, modern players have little ability to shield themselves from public response.

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“Ignorance is bliss... it was much easier for a team to operate with some privacy,” Kerr said during the interview.

From whispered stories to viral footage

To illustrate the shift, Kerr pointed to a recent Warriors incident involving Draymond Green and Jordan Poole. According to ESPN FC, details of the confrontation became public almost immediately, followed soon after by leaked video footage.

For Kerr, the contrast highlights how difficult it has become for teams to manage conflict quietly. He suggested that constant exposure complicates team building and makes trust harder to maintain when private moments rarely stay private.

Sources: ESPN FC

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