Steve Kerr heartbreaking message on death of Dejan Milojević to the Grieving Warriors as they Return to Practice
The Golden State Warriors last week dealt with the death of assistant coach Dejan Milojević. Head coach Steve Kerr tried his best to put into words what the team has gone through.
Milojević died at the age of 46 after suffering a heart attack while the Warriors were having a private dinner in Salt Lake City, Utah. The NBA postponed the Golden State’s next two games following the tragic incident.
Kerr was asked about what the past week has been like for Warriors players and coaches alike. The 58-year-old head coach called it the “saddest thing” he’s ever experienced in the NBA.
“Heartbreaking. Devastating. It’s just the saddest thing I’ve ever been a part of in the NBA. We lose someone who’s so close to us. More importantly, seeing his family suffer. This last week has been … full of all of the above. The shock, the emotion, the extreme outpouring of love,” said Kerr.
Kerr added that he was able to speak to Milojević’s two children. While Kerr didn’t reveal what he told them, the Warriors coach said he empathized with them given that he also lost his father at a young age.
Milojević joined the Warriors in 2021 and was a part of the coaching staff that won a title in 2022. The 6’7″ Serb was a multi-time champion as a player in Europe. He also coached several players that went on to get drafted in the NBA including countryman Nikola Jokic.
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Grieving Warriors Return To Practice
The Warriors returned to practice on Monday for the first time since the sudden and traumatizing death of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr told ESPN’s Kendra Andrews and other media members that the team was too devastated to play last week after Milojevic suffered a heart attack during a team dinner on Tuesday night. A majority of the players and staff members attended the dinner in Salt Lake City.
Subsequently, the league postponed two of the Warriors’ games. Last Wednesday’s contest in Utah and Friday’s matchup against Dallas will be rescheduled for later dates.
“It’s the saddest thing I have ever been a part of in the NBA,” Kerr said. “… The last five days have been full of the shock. The emotion, the extreme outpouring of love from all over the world.”
Counseling has been offered to the players and staff, particularly to those who witnessed the event.
The Warriors will return to action on Wednesday when they play a home game against the Hawks. The franchise is planning a tribute to Milojevic and will also honor him throughout the season.
“Wednesday will be unbelievably emotional,” Kerr said. “There is no handbook for this. We will honor Deki the best way we know on Wednesday night. We will be there to play a basketball game. We will find a way to mourn and grieve and play all in the same evening.”
Center Kevon Looney found it necessary to change his practice routine.
“There’s a whole different vibe to practice not having him here,” Looney said. “He was an integral part of our team, an integral part of my day-to-day routine. It’s definitely different.”
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