How to recover from such a tragedy? A week ago, the Warriors experienced the worst: the death of an assistant, struck down during a collective meal by a heart attack. Deja Milojevic was 46 years old and he was loved by everyone. This evening, Stephen Curry and his teammates return to the field. It will be at the Chase Center, against the Hawks, and the All-Star point guard thanks Steve Kerr for his support and his words during these very complicated times.
“He’s just very human. What I mean is that basketball is important, but it is not and has never been the priority when it comes to his ability to manage people, his staff, the team, to manage the ups and downs » recalls Stephen Curry. “It is this reason, that in an experience as traumatic as this, it shines more than ever. Because he has a way of speaking that is sincere, when he takes care of everyone and puts the person first. All of this echoed when he spoke about Deki.”
Ron Adams consoled Steve Kerr
This humanity has always been present in the Warriors coach, whether it was shouting his anger against the shootings in the United States, or hugging a Draymond Green in the depths of depression. But Steve Kerr himself collapsed in the arms of his faithful assistant Ron Adams.
“I lean so much on Ron Adams…Ron is a mentor to me, an amazing coach to all of our players and coaches. I lean on his wisdom and asked him a few days ago how we would move forward. What are we doing ? » Steve Kerr asks him.
Ron Adams replies that he is the right person to handle these moments. Through his words and his attitude, Steve Kerr is more than a coach. He is a leader on and off the field. His players have always followed him. Eyes closed.
A speech in front of players, coaches and family
“All the things he's preached since I've been here,” responds Kevon Looney about his coach's message. ” Joy. Love. The fact that it's a privilege to be alive and play basketball. When something like this happens, it's good to have someone who is consistent in their message. He has seen a lot of things through basketball. He's been through a lot. So he knows how difficult it is for a team to move forward and for guys to deal with that type of heartbreak. He's not the type to say, 'Play now.' He knows the magnitude of the situation. There’s no better leader than Steve right now.”
And it was even Steve Kerr who spoke when the death of “Deki” was confirmed by doctors. He and the other members of his staff had stayed at the hospital all night, waiting for good news. Then they returned to the hotel, they gathered the players, but also Milojevic's wife and children, who had traveled for this meeting from Hawaii, where Nikola is playing.
“There are no words to describe this kind of moment,” reports Stephen Curry. “But when he was the first to speak out, he was unafraid and did his best to face the moment with sincerity and respect for what Deki meant to all of us. He found himself the first to speak in front of the entire delegation that was traveling, and in front of Deki's family… He didn't have to. But he chose to do it. »
Forty years after his father's assassination
A moment that Steve Kerr will never forget. Especially since Milojevic's death occurred the day before the sad anniversary of his father's assassination. It was 40 years ago, in Lebanon.
“I really thought about it,” recognizes assistant Bruce Fraser, close to Steve Kerr since their days playing at Arizona. “How his personal experience of grief allowed him to understand the grief and sadness of Deki’s family. I felt it when I saw him comforting the family and caring for them. I felt it. He experienced this at a young age and he knows what it’s like. He was hit as hard as anyone else. He had to shoulder the burden for everyone. He helped the family, our team, our staff, our entire family as well as Deki's immediate family. There's no one better at times like this. I thought more than once about how he was going to get through this while he was busy pulling everyone else up. »
Steve Kerr escaped, but he won't forget that evening at an Italian restaurant in Salt Lake City.
“It's the saddest thing I've ever experienced in the NBA… When we lose someone so close to us, and especially when we see their family suffer. These last five days have been filled with it all: the shock, the emotion, the extreme outpouring of affection from the whole world. »
