Kings-Warriors notes: Kerr and Brown offer ‘sense of perspective’ ahead of pivotal Game 7

Golden State coach Steve Kerr reminded the media 90 minutes before tip-off at Golden 1 Center that many across the globe have no clue nor do they necessarily care what happens in the NBA in offering a dose of perspective.

Kerr said the Warriors on Saturday broke down film of their dreadful showing in Game 6, a loss that set up Game 7.

“We got a good film session on the ninth floor of Chase Center (in San Francisco), which has an expansive view of the bay, which may not sound like a big deal, but it is,” Kerr said. “You get some sunshine, you look out at the bay. The sun’s going to rise today and tomorrow and the next day.

“I’m always reminded of the late, great John McKay, the USC football coach (from the 1960s and ’70s) getting his team ready to play the Rose Bowl. He said, ‘Guys, when you go out there, just remember that there’s 3 billion people in China who have no idea this game is going to happen.’ I do think there has to be a sense of perspective.”

Golden State prevailed 120-100 as Stephen Curry scored 50 points, the most in a Game 7 in NBA history.

Meal moments

Kings coach Mike Brown and family went to dinner at the Town Center in El Dorado Hills on Saturday night, where the NBA’s Coach of the Year was approached by people of all ages offering support and questions.

“I don’t know if I’ve had more little kids come up to me and ask me the same questions over and over, and you can just feel the excitement in their little hearts,” Brown said. “The rest of Sacramento is beaming with pride and looking forward to this game just like those little boys were last night.”

Brown said the lads peppered him with questions about injuries, rookies and more. One of those little boys insisted he wasn’t a badly outnumbered Warriors fan, never mind that he was wearing a Golden State hat.

A team bonded

Brown said he learned years ago from Lakers legend Kobe Bryant about what a united team can achieve. He experienced it firsthand as a longtime Warriors assistant coach, including winning the NBA championship last season — and he’s found out this breakthrough season with the Kings, in the playoffs for the first time in 17 years.

“I learned a lot (from Bryant), and one of the things he said to me was, ‘a team connected can go far,’” Brown said. “There’s no limitations to a group that’s connected. Our guys started getting connected before training camp began. I’ve told stories about working out here and there, watching games together, going to the Summer League to support (rookie) Keegan Murray (in Las Vegas) and none of that was forced.

“Obviously, you can’t force anybody to do those types of things. You can tell our guys were hungry. They wanted to be together. They wanted to work together and good things were going to happen.”

Nervous energy

Brown said the most nervous he has been as an NBA coach has not occurred during this series against the defending champions. It was when he was with the Warriors, taking over for Kerr for a spell when Kerr labored through a bad back in 2017, including in the playoffs.

“When you’re taking over for Steve Kerr, who had already won five championships, or four, or 15 or whatever he’s done, and you’re expected to win like he does, which is impossible,” Brown said. “Trying to fill his shoes in a situation like that, the first game in Portland, and then the first game in the Memphis series. Those two are the two most nervous games that I’ve been (a part of).

“Am I nervous right now? No. May I get nervous before the game? Maybe. But trying to fill Steve’s shoes was an impossible task.”