Steve Kerr bailed on the Knicks to coach the Warriors. Good move, Steve

TL;DR

Kerr chose the Warriors over the Knicks in 2014 because of a better roster, family proximity, and a 5-year $25M contract New York wouldn't match.

Key Points

• 1.Phil Jackson hired as Knicks president in March 2014 and immediately pursued Kerr as head coach despite Kerr having zero coaching experience at any level.
• 2.The Warriors became an option only because they lost Game 7 to the Clippers on May 3, 2014, getting Mark Jackson fired days later and opening the door.
• 3.Key advantages Golden State offered: Steph Curry's rising roster, proximity to Kerr's California family, friendly owner Joe Lacob vs. notoriously difficult Knicks owner James Dolan.
• 4.The Knicks stalled on contract length — initially offering 3 years, moving to 4 — while the Warriors flew to Oklahoma City and offered 5 years, $25 million.
• 5.The Knicks instead gave Derek Fisher the same 5-year $25M deal; Fisher was fired before completing two seasons in what Kerr himself called an inevitable disaster for anyone there.
• 6.Kerr won a championship in his first season, shepherded Steph Curry to MVP status, and built a dynasty — a legacy he believes would have been impossible in New York.