The Pain From Steve Kerr's Back Surgery Sounds Like Hell
ESPN - Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Sunday he won’t return to the sideline until he can find a remedy for the painful symptoms he’s experiencing due to complications from back surgery almost two years ago.
He acknowledged this could keep him out the remainder of the playoffs.
The 2015-16 Coach of the Year addressed the media at the team’s hotel in downtown Portland. He would not disclose the symptoms he’s dealing with, but ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that Kerr’s surgical procedure caused a spinal fluid leak that gives him excruciating symptoms such as migraines and nausea.
Kerr said he has been dealing with the situation post-surgery, but added that recently his symptoms became more intense.
“The symptoms, for whatever reason, took a turn for the worse maybe five days ago,” Kerr said. “I was able to manage the pain and discomfort over the last year and a half, and suddenly things got a lot worst and I don’t know why.”
He’s consulting with doctors in hopes of finding a remedy. Earlier this season, Kerr revealed that he tried marijuana in an attempt to relieve his constant pain after surgery.
“I can tell you, if you’re listening out there, if you have a back problem, stay away from surgery,” he said. “I can say that from the bottom of my heart. Rehab, rehab, rehab. Don’t let anybody get in there.”
——–
Look, I’m a coach. Many would say the best men’s league basketball coach in Barstool Sports history. And as a coach, I have learned there is so much that goes into coaching that most people don’t even see. Managing egos. Balancing substitutions so your 4 best players aren’t on the bench during crunch time. Showing up to the game on time. Really tough, important things like that.
So what Kerr is dealing with I wouldn’t wish on my greatest coaching enemy. That sounds like living hell. You get a back surgery thinking life afterwards will be all fine and dandy, and next thing you know you have spinal fluid leaking all over the place and you’re puking at any given moment. It’s bad enough Coley is puking after 2 trips down the court, I can’t imagine having to also puke at the drop of a hat.
So best wishes to my colleague Steve Kerr. We share a small coaching community where despite our differences on the court, we wish each other the best off of it. Having to miss the NBA Playoffs because of a bad back surgery is every coach’s worst nightmare. Hopefully he sparks up a few more joints and gets back on the sideline where he belongs.