Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recently offered a candid explanation for why many fans seem to root against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“As a sports fan, when a team is dominant for an extended period, you naturally start hoping for an upset,” Kerr said. “And often that upset comes sooner than you think.”
The four-time NBA champion coach reflected on his own team’s experience. “We were the center of attention in 2015 and 2016,” Kerr recalled. “But by the time we reached the Finals, I think a lot of fans wanted to see LeBron James pull off a comeback. I never held a grudge about it because I’ve done the same thing myself. In any sport, when a team starts to run away with things, I find myself cheering for the underdog.”
Kerr’s remarks come as the Thunder have established themselves as a powerhouse in the Western Conference, drawing comparisons to other historically dominant teams. The coach’s perspective highlights a universal truth in sports: success often breeds a desire for unpredictability.