Steve Kerr turns 56: 3 Things you may not know about the Golden State Warriors head coach

Steve Kerr's legacy as an NBA player can be summed up by his one shot. With the final seconds remaining on the clock for the sixth game of the 1996-97 finals, Scottie Pippen passed to Michael Jordan, who passed the ball to Kerr. With six seconds remaining, Kerr launched the ball for a high-arching jumpshot that went through the basket without touching anything but the net.

His shot would help Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls win their second consecutive NBA Finals. This would forever enshrine the name of Steve Kerr as the man Jordan relied on to take the most crucial shot of the season. This shot paved the way for the Bulls to try and repeat their three-peat.

Steve Kerr, an immensely successful NBA player and coach, turns 56

Steve Kerr turns 56 today. He is a man that has enjoyed great success as a coach and a player. Nicknamed Ice, he played in the league for 18 seasons. Not once did he make an appearance in the All-Star game. Yet his tally of five championships is incredible. He won three of these rings with the Chicago Bulls and two with the San Antonio Spurs.

In honor of the Golden State Warriors head coach turning 56, we share three things with you that you might not know.

#1 His father was killed by terrorists

Steve Kerr's father, Malcolm H. Kerr, was a celebrated professor in the Middle East and the Arab studies. As a man who was born and raised in Beirut, he loved the city and the country.

His teaching career began with the American University of Beirut. He returned to the United States of America to teach at the University of California at Los Angeles. But returned to Lebanon as president of the AUB.

The tragic story of Steve Kerr's father was told to the world in the documentary Last Dance. Malcolm was gunned down by two terrorists outside his office. The tragic news of his death left a deep impact on a young Steve and according his mother made him more passionate towards the game of basketball.

#2 He has the highest 3-PT% in the history of the NBA

Steve Kerr talks to Golden State Warriors' players

Steve Kerr was never a star player. In his 15-year long career, he started only 30 games. Essentially, Kerr played as a role player in the squad. As a role player, he was incredibly successful. In the end, he won five NBA championships, three of which were alongside the brutally competitive Michael Jordan. Jordan would never have let the Bulls keep a player not useful to his team.

Steve Kerr's usefulness for his team came as a crucial time shooter. He never averaged double digit points but as an off the bench clutch player, he was a genuine threat to the opponents.

GSW's head coach, in his time as a player, wasn't known for lodging a high number of three-pointers every night. In fact, his career average of 0.8 three-pointers made from 1.8 attempts is in no way a noteworthy stat.

But Steve Kerr holds the NBA record for the highest 3-PT% in the history of the game. He maintained 45.4% efficiency rate from downtown, a statistic even his wonder pupil Stephen Curry hasn't been able to break.

#3 Steve Kerr has won eight championships as a player and coach

Steve Kerr's time with the Chicago Bulls did not make him a household name until his shot that changed the course of history. He was merely a role player averaging 8.2 points in his time with the team. He still won four championships while playing alongside Jordan Pippen and Dennis Rodman.

Kerr won his fifth and final championship with the San Antonio Spurs in his second stint with the team. The Greg Popovich coached Spurs were home to one of the most influential big 3 in the NBA. Kerr played alongside Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili while averaging four points per game.

As a coach, Steve Kerr has become one of the most celebrated names in the NBA. He is the head coach of a team that dominated the second half of 2010s. Under his guidance, the Golden State Warriors won three rings and appeared in five consecutive NBA Finals.