Steve Kerr worked at Turner Sports before coaching the Warriors, so he knows something about what Ernie Johnson brings to Inside the NBA.
Keeping the conversation moving is part of it. Knowing when to let it wander is another.
“The beauty of the show is that it sometimes goes off the rails, and Ernie’s always there to pull it back,” Kerr said on 95.7 The Game. “But his sense of humor and his sense of humanity, I think, always brought the best out of Charles, Kenny and Shaq.”
Johnson announced Wednesday that this will be his final season hosting Inside. He isn’t retiring entirely, with plans to continue working on March Madness and other projects.
Kerr described Johnson as “the moral compass” and “the paternal figure” of the show.
“Everybody adores Ernie,” he said. “He’s one of the kindest souls you’ll ever meet. He’s just an unbelievable human being.”
RELATED | Ernie Johnson announces this will be his final ‘Inside the NBA’ season
That appreciation has been echoed by Johnson’s studio partners. Shaquille O’Neal said Johnson was the reason he joined the program.
“You are the controller of this thing people call the circus,” O’Neal said. “It’s the best circus in town, but without you, it’s going to be very, very difficult.”
Kerr said he understood Johnson’s decision, particularly his desire to put family first.
“All of his comments were exactly what I would have expected from Ernie,” Kerr said. “He’s ready to move forward.”
“But yeah, we’ll miss him. What an incredible talent.”
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