Defending Kerr, Version 2.0

It’s no secret that I’ve been a Kerr defender and apologist for quite some time, and I’ve been maligned constantly for being so.  However, I stand by my views and am not about to change them now.

Now, with the Suns season winding down and no playoffs to look forward to, it’s time for a reflection of sorts.  There is a difference between accepting where things are at for the team and patting Kerr on the back for the job he’s done.  Sure, he’s made some mistakes and we can all look back with 20/20 hindsight vision, but the bottom line is that the Suns aren’t in the playoffs and the future is uncertain.  At the same time, I cannot bring myself to get angry at Steve Kerr, and probably won’t ever.  He’s been nothing short of a gentleman when I’ve spoken to him and never shied away from the constant barrage of difficult questions and criticism.

In Kerr’s tenure thus far, the following things are accepted and final in the eyes of Suns fans:

• The Shaq experiment didn’t work
• We got worse defensively
• We have good young talent
• We are at a crossroads

It is both unfair and illogical to put the blame of where we stand today solely on Steve Kerr.  Our players had plenty of opportunities to make the outcomes different than what they were.  Whether it’s a sub-par effort here or a miscue there, the players need to accept responsibility rather than blaming it on our owner, style, or GM (and I think fans would respect that a hell of a lot more).  Players need to be held accountable for not playing hard or not playing up to their potential, especially when they had every opportunity to.  Maybe it’s because I’ve been a basketball player for so long that I feel this way; but I have never once blamed a coach for losing or for not winning as much as we should.  We were the ones who played the game.

Kerr will forever be remembered for the Shaq trade, fairly or unfairly, but there is also much that he’s done that we quickly forget.  I, for one, am not going to get mad at a guy who has, essentially, done everything we’ve asked of him as a GM; especially when he’s taken ownership for the result not being what we/he hoped for. Bottom line - it didn’t work.  But at least we had a GM who tried.

On the other hand, I’m also not going to say that he’s done a fantastic job and he deserves a free pass.  Though, what I like/respect the most out of Kerr, is that he’s not asking us to; and never will.

Personally, I’ve agreed with every move he’s made for the team thus far.

• The acquisition of Grant Hill.  No one can say that was a bad move and I hope Hill retires a Sun.
• The trade of an unhappy Shawn Marion for a sorely missed inside presence in Shaq.  Did it work? No.
• The hiring of Terry Porter, someone who was supposed to develop our young corps and improve the defense.  Did it work? No.
• The ability to get Goran Dragic here early to have him develop under Nash.  He didn’t get the opportunity to play much under Porter but Alvin Gentry has given this young man confidence and inspired confidence for Goran for the fans.
• The trade of an unproductive Boris Diaw and an aging Raja Bell.  Did it work?  Somewhat.  Jason Richardson has been what we thought he’d be and Jared Dudley has been a pleasant surprise and potential future starter.

But, as I mentioned above, this will be my last defense of Steve Kerr.  Maybe it’s because I feel he won’t need it, or because he’s taken ownership of everything, but this will be the last time I truly take a stand and I’ll tell you why.

• There are only so many mistakes or miscues one can make before it becomes a pattern that needs to be changed
• Kerr has, as I said above, taken ownership for everything and he doesn’t need me to continually defend him as a fan
• He has my respect, regardless of what happens
• We need to give him a chance to be resilient and build our program back up; and I’m willing to see how he does this
• This off-season will surely shape the future of our franchise, and we’ll all know what to look forward to/what not to look forward to
• Actions speak louder than words

This off-season is a pivotal point in Suns history.  Despite the setbacks of his moves so far, I am confident that Kerr has a feel for where this team needs to go and how to get there.  However, actions have (and always will) speak much louder than words.

And Suns fans are anxious to see those actions take place.  Only time will tell.

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