Steve Kerr, one of the most outspoken coaches in the NBA on social justice issues, faced some tough questions from a reporter on the topic before Saturday's Warriors-Kings game in Sacramento.
Earlier in the day, protesters marched in Sacramento to protest in memory of Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man who was shot to death by police earlier this month. Former Kings and Warriors forward Matt Barnes led the protest.
A local reporter asked Kerr, "Any reason you didn't go to the Stephon Clark protest today?"
Kerr replied, "Yeah, because I'm coaching the Warriors tonight and we're kind of busy today."
"We're very compassionate first and foremost to the Clark family … we support the protests," Kerr said. "Everybody in our organization wants to see change and wants to see justice. … But we have a job to do, so we're here to play the game tonight. You've got to pick your spots."
That explanation didn't satisfy the reporter, who pressed on. Reporter: "You don't think there's a contradiction there when you talk a lot about race or an issue like that, but then there's a march and somebody gets killed and you don't actually show up?"
Kerr: "You serious?"
Reporter. "Yeah, I am."
Kerr: "OK. It's up to each individual if he is going to pick his spots to make his contribution to society. I'm very confident and comfortable in my own skin. And [our players], what they do for our comminutes, the way they speak out, the way I've spoken out. I feel very, very confident in what we've tried to do and I'm also, very, very serious about my job. So, you can balance that whichever way you want. You can be accusatory if you like. I'm comfortable with what our team does and with what I do."
You can watch the entire exchange below:
