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NBA: Best player and coach pairing from each team’s history

By Tony Pesta

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 2: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 106-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - MARCH 2: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 106-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Best coach/player pairing in Golden State Warriors history: Steve Kerr & Stephen Curry

There is no other duo that could have made this list for the Golden State Warriors. Steve Kerr and Stephen Curry have combined to have an impact that has changed the game of basketball forever.

When the Warriors elected to fire Mark Jackson in 2014, many fans were baffled. Jackson had helped to turn the Dubs into one of the most promising young teams in the league. Still, the front office felt as if Kerr would be a better fit for the team.

It didn’t take long for the front office to feel justified in their decision. Kerr immediately unlocked the Warriors full potential, allowing Curry to become a league MVP and take the franchise to five consecutive NBA Finals.

Had it not been for Kerr allowing Curry to ramp up his usage rate, we may have never seen what he was capable of. Posting a career-high usage rate in 2016, Curry became the first player to average 30+ points on 50/40/90 shooting from the field as he was voted the unanimous MVP.

Winning an NBA record 73 games in 2016, Kerr’s system never looked better. Had they not run into LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in the NBA Finals, they may have completed the greatest season in NBA history.

Regardless, the Dubs bounced back even stronger next year. With the addition of Kevin Durant, many wondered how the Warriors would manage to play all of these star players together. Of course, Kerr’s system would prove to work perfectly for this new team as well.

Curry and Durant coexisted without any error. The team dominated in the 2016-17 season, losing only one game in the playoffs on their way to a championship. In the next season, they once again powered their way to the top, capturing back-to-back titles.

In the last five seasons, the Warriors have established themselves as an all-time great dynasty. Five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals and three championships speak for themselves. None of this would exist if it wasn’t for Kerr and his willingness to let Curry’s skill set dominate the offense.

This upcoming season will truly test the Dubs. With Durant gone and Klay Thompson suffering from a torn ACL, it will take some basketball brilliance from Kerr and Curry to keep the Dubs competing for a championship.