OAKLAND -- Frank Hamblen was a member of an NBA unheralded fraternity, but Warriors coach Steve Kerr took a few minutes to remember the longtime assistant coach who died Saturday morning at age 70.
"He was my assistant coach in Chicago, a good friend and a great coach," Kerr said to open his pregame news conference prior to the Warriors-Nuggets game at Oracle Arena. "He will be missed.
"Anybody with any questions that don't matter?"
Kerr's attempt to lighten the mood was sincere, though he clearly was affected by Hamblen's death.
Hamblen earned seven championship rings during his 42 seasons as an assistant. He worked under Phil Jackson with the Bulls (two championships) and the Lakers (five). Hamblen also served on the bench of the Bucks, Kings and Rockets. His experience as a head coach was limited to stints in an interim capacity with the Bucks and Lakers.
"He was funny. He was a great basketball mind," Kerr said. "I still remember when Frank first came to the Bulls. We had basically the whole team back, and the first day of camp Michael Jordan said ‘Our motivation this year is to get a ring for Frank.' He was new that year. (Jordan) said, ‘Everybody else in this room has a ring. But Frank doesn't have one, so we're going to get you one this year Frank.'
"And we did. Thanks to me and Michael."
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Kerr, after getting a pass from Jordan, swished the game-winning shot as Chicago beat Utah in Game 6 of the 1997 Finals, giving the Bulls their fifth title in seven seasons.
