Share

cover art for Steve Kerr on dealing with Father Time + Saving or scrapping the NBA Cup

The Athletic NBA Daily

Steve Kerr on dealing with Father Time + Saving or scrapping the NBA Cup

Zena Keita sits down with Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr for a remarkably candid conversation about the "inevitable" end of the Warriors' dynasty. Kerr opens up about the "beauty in the struggle" of chasing one last ring, facing his own retirement, and what life looks like after coaching Steph Curry. Then, The Athletic’s senior writer Sam Amick joins the crew fresh from Las Vegas to break down the NBA Cup results. The team plays a game of "Save It or Scrap It"—debating whether the league should keep the In-Season Tournament, how to fix the load management crisis, and if rule changes are needed to bring intensity back to the game. Plus, a look at the imminent "passing of the torch" from the league’s aging superstars to the next generation, a trade market preview, and a new edition of "Learning Feels Good."


Hosts & Guests

Zena Keita @itszenakeita

Robert Mays @robertmays

Jason Goff @Jason1Goff

Sam Amick @sam_amick


Editor: Matt Shilts

Executive Producer: Maggie Burbank

Producer: Stephen Lorenzo

A Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Thunder drop Knicks + Are the Magic broken?

    27:30|
    Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Es Baraheni react to the Thunder beating the Knicks, discuss Karl-Anthony Towns offense, and breakdown the Orlando's embarrassing loss to the Raptors. Then, the gang discusses Jayson Tatum's first 30-point game since his return, the Sixers getting healthy, and who is going to be the 5th seed in the East.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni and Zena KeitaExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver
  • Are the Pistons a Contender? + East Play In Mania | Slam N Jam

    01:20:59|
    Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are back for another episode of the Saturday Slam N Jam. They discuss the week of basketball plus their Good, Bad, and What in which they talk about hook shots, East Play In Mania, MVP debates, and tanking barf. In part 2, Bryce Simon of the Pistons Pulse and Game Theory Podcasts joins to talk about the Pistons without Cade, who they would want in round 1, which teams they can beat in round 2 if they get there and so much more. Then they finish with a fun edition of Andrew vs. the Beat.Hosts: Andrew Schlecht, Alex SpeersWith: Bryce SimonProducer: Andrew SchlechtVideo Edit: Monica Compton
  • NBA All-Surprise Team w/ Fred Katz

    43:52|
    Dave DuFour and Fred Katz take a look at the most interesting potential playoff matchups and what problems may arise. Then, the guys react to Fred's All-Surprise Team, discuss the defensive improvement of Jalen Duren, and the Most-Improved award.Read Fred's article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7147351/2026/03/26/nba-surprises-jalen-duren-nickeil-alexander-walker-ryan-rollins/Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Fred KatzExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver
  • Celtics bully Thunder + Wolves shock Rockets

    28:21|
    Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to incredible overtime comeback by the Wolves and the returns of Joel Embiid and Paul George for the 76ers. Then, Jay King joins the show after Boston's impressive win over Oklahoma City to discuss their status as title contenders, Jayson Tatum's progress, and Jaylen Brown's MVP case.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita and Jay KingExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver
  • The NBA Contender Pie | Morning Shoot Around

    56:19|
    Andrew Schlecht and Dave DuFour discuss who has the biggest slice of pie in the contender pie chart.
  • Nobody likes the 65-game rule

    30:05|
    Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to the NBA Player's Association complaints about the Bucks shutting down Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Player Participation Policy's 65-game rule. Then, Carter Rodriguez from the Chasedown Podcast joins Dave to dive deep into the Cavs post-deadline success, the James Harden experience, and why Donovan Mitchell may be a target in the playoffs.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita and Carter RodriguezExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver
  • J Dub returns for OKC + Are the Lakers title contenders?

    27:13|
    Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the return of Jalen Williams for the Thunder, the Victor Wembanyama problem, and the Rockets wasting a 40-point night from Kevin Durant. Then, Dan Woike joins the show to discuss the Lakers improvement since the break and Luka's MVP case.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni and Dan WoikeExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver
  • KD passes MJ + Post All-Star Glow-ups

    28:27|
    Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni, and Zena Keita react to Kevin Durant passing Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list, his chances of passing Kareem, and the Thunder getting healthy. Then, the gang takes a look at the Lakers winning streak, the Hawks rise to the 6 seed, and Boston’s dominance with Jayson Tatum.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita and Es BaraheniExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver
  • Nuggets Toast? + Which Tanking Team Deserves the first pick? | Slam N Jam

    01:03:09|
    Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are back for another episode of the Saturday Slam N Jam. They discuss the week of basketball plus their Good, Bad, and What in which they talk about the Nuggets nose diving, the tanking teams that deserve the number one pick, and a weirdly cold stretch for 2 players. In part 2, Stephen Pridgeon-Garner of PHNX joins to discuss the Suns and how they have been this successful this season, potential offseason moves, and what could happen if they make the Playoffs. Then they finish with a fun edition of Andrew vs. the Beat.Hosts: Andrew Schlecht, Alex SpeersWith: Stephen Pridgeon-GarnerProducer: Andrew SchlechtVideo Edit: Monica Compton