Former Suns Steve Kerr, Leandro Barbosa in 2022 NBA Finals
The Golden State Warriors have won their sixth Western Conference Finals in eight years, as Steph Curry and company look to battle for their fourth NBA Finals title since 2015 (with two other appearances in that stretch). The Boston Celtics look to stand in their way and capture their first title since 2008.
The series promises to be at the very least entertaining, which the world of basketball needs after many of the postseason games failed to deliver in that regard.
Despite the Phoenix Suns early exit in the second round, the team will still see representation when Game 1 gets underway. The Suns have two former members of the organization, both on Golden State's coaching staff, who are in search of another championship.
Former Suns Steve Kerr, Leandro Barbosa in 2022 NBA Finals
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was drafted by the Suns in the second round of the 1988 NBA Draft but failed to play much. Kerr appeared in 26 games and averaged six minutes on the court during his sole season in Phoenix. Kerr would be traded to Cleveland after his rookie campaign, yet his involvement with the Suns wouldn't stop.
After his retirement, Kerr became a minority owner of the Suns in 2004 before eventually being named president of basketball operations/general manager in 2007. He would retain that role until he stepped down in 2010, yet he still held a minority share in the Suns until 2014 prior to becoming an analyst for TNT.
Acting as an assistant coach under Kerr, former Suns guard Leandro Barbosa is also on Golden State's staff. The Suns initially acquired his rights in the 2003 NBA Draft before Barbosa spent the first seven years of his career in Phoenix. Barbosa would be traded to Toronto in 2010 but returned for two separate stints (2013-14 and 2016-17) before playing two seasons in Brazil to finish his career.
The Suns haven't won a title despite appearing in three different NBA Finals, and although no ring will truly count in their favor, their presence/imprint on Golden State's latest attempt at a ring is admirable and hopefully gives inspiration for the Suns to get over the hump moving forward.
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