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Steve Kerr once explained why teams like the one LeBron James formed in Miami were good for the NBA: "Ratings have skyrocketed"


Steve Kerr once explained why teams like the one LeBron James formed in Miami were good for the NBA: "Ratings have skyrocketed" originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Over the last decade, there have been several discussions regarding NBA stars going a little too far when it came to super teams. This is primarily due to generational talents such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant changing the balance of power across the league.

What makes the argument further interesting is that every era has its definition of what qualifies for a super team. While the old heads have completely despised such tactics, there are others who supported those moves. One can certainly attest that the term has many layers to it.

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However, super teams never guarantee championships, something we recently witnessed with the 2023-24 Phoenix Suns and 2020-21 Brooklyn Nets. The last successfully assembled All-Star lineup continues to be the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors, who were very close to a 3-peat.

Addressi ng the subject in a throwback episode of the popular studio show "Open Court," Steve Kerr gave his take on whether super teams were good or not for the NBA.

"I say, absolutely, because ratings are off the charts. The best thing that happened to the NBA in the last five years was LeBron going to Miami. Every single talk show host, radio show, that's all they talk about. Ratings have skyrocketed, which means sponsorship money goes up, which means the TV packages for the league are all of a sudden more lucrative," said Kerr, shedding light on how the Lakers, Celtics and Bulls during the 80s and 90s were good for business.

The Warriors coach added some more context.

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"The reality is the NBA is not the NFL…because there are only ten guys in the whole league who make a difference…It's n ot like in the NFL, where the last team can all of a sudden win the Super Bowl next year," stated Kerr.

Related: "I can't get so close to it, too, because of my competitive nature" - Michael Jordan on why he can't get himself to be a fan of any one player in the NBA

Kerr coaching the 2016-17 Warriors juggernaut

Fortunately for Kerr, his words could never come to haunt him when the Warriors recruited 2014 MVP Kevin Durant ahead of the 2016-17 season. Blowing a 3-1 lead against the Cavaliers, the 73-9 Dubs were minutes away from winning Game Seven but failed.

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Adding KD to a roster that already starred Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala, the Warriors appeared invincible. Back then, many fans, media analysts and former players objected to the move, terming it as against the spirit of the game.

Kerr, who joined the Warriors as coach in 2014, had no issues with the new setting. Certainly not surprising, given he was one of the few NBA veterans who sided with LeBron's decision to sign with Miami in 2010. Signing Durant added two titles to Kerr's resume.

The super teams era is nearing its end

Gone are the days when management could afford to compensate defense with an offensive Big Three. Teams today require bench depth and efficient role players when it comes to winning on the big stage. Looking at how the league is shaping up with the current crop of talent, the need to be multi-dimensional has never been higher.

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The most recent case of super teams not delivering re sults is that of the Big Three, boasting KD, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal on the Suns. These players are among the most prolific scorers in the league and could average 25+ points per game every season. Nevertheless, they fell short of even making the play-in this season.

Related: "I guess I gotta bail Michael out again" - When Steve Kerr teased MJ during Bulls' 1997 championship parade

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.

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