Steph drops an excellent line about a heated exchange between Kerr and Christie originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Once an avid gamer, always an avid gamer.
That was certainly the case late in the third quarter when Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Kings interim coach Doug Christie engaged in a heated exchange during Golden State resoundingly defeated 129-99 in Sacramento Sunday night at the Chase Center.
The two former NBA guards exchanged words shortly after Warriors forward Draymond Green threw a crude screen on Kings guard Keon Ellis.
Kerr called for a flop call, which ultimately led to a technical foul. Christie, for his part, rushed to the ground, visibly frustrated by the force behind the hit on Ellis, before being escorted back to the bench by Kings center Domantas Sabonis.
After the heated basketball moment, Warriors star guard Steph Curry admitted that it was difficult to put aside his passion as an NBA player, even if he retired.
“It’s two former players that would like their jerseys back,” Curry told reporters after the Warriors’ loss. “It’s good to see this kind of fire.”
Steph Curry on Steve Kerr and Doug Christie exchanging words after Draymond sets a hard screen on Keon Ellis in the third quarter.
“These are two former players who would like their jerseys back. It’s good to see this kind of fire.” pic.twitter.com/2NAmgjvOB2
-KNBR (@KNBR) January 6, 2025
But Kerr and Christie are no ordinary former avid players. Let’s just say they had their share of physical altercations on the hardwood during their playing days.
Kerr, during his notable tenure with the Chicago Bulls, engaged in a infamous training brawl with teammate Michael Jordan leaving the future Warriors coach with a black eye.
Back in 2002Christie landed a searing uppercut to the jaw of Los Angeles Lakers forward Rick Fox after receiving an elbow and an open-handed outstretched arm to the face.
Time has passed and things have changed.
After the Kings’ fourth straight victory, Christie offered his words of respect to Kerr and Co.
“I mean, I always protect my players,” Christie said. “That’s really all it is. I have the utmost respect for every player out there.
“I know, from playing in this league, what they go through and having seen them reach the highest levels. It’s nothing but love. The competitive nature of the game is the competitive nature, and I think you respect that. I respect how hard they play.
“I respect the way they go about it. But one thing, make no mistake, I’m going to defend my guys because they deserve it, they play hard and I’ll be there for them.
But if this had happened 20 years ago, things might have been a lot different in Sunday’s third quarter at Chase Center.
