Appearing on a podcast Friday, Golden State coach Steve Kerr admitted to trying medical marijuana over the past 18 months while searching for remedies to deal with his ailing back.
"I guess maybe I could even get in some trouble for this, but I've actually tried [marijuana] twice during the last year and a half when I've been going through this pain, this chronic pain that I've been dealing with," Kerr said. "A lot of research, a lot of advice from people, and I have no idea if I would — maybe I would have failed a drug test. I don't even know if I'm subject to a drug test or any laws from the NBA, but I tried it, and it didn't help at all. But it was worth it, because I'm searching for answers on pain. But I've tried painkillers and drugs of other kinds, as well, and those have been worse. It's tricky."
Kerr admitted to using it while discussing a larger issue: the overuse of painkillers in sports and what he believes is an improper stigma on marijuana.
"Again, without being an expert on it, but I know enough, especially over the last couple of years having gone through my own bout with chronic pain, I know enough about this stuff," Kerr said. "Vicodin is not good for you. It's not. It's way worse for you than pot."
Chicago 111, Cleveland 105: Jimmy Butler scored 26 points, Dwyane Wade had 24 and the Bulls beat LeBron James and the slumping Cavaliers. Taj Gibson added a season-high 23 points and 11 rebounds for Chicago. Rajon Rondo had 15 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds as the balanced Bulls handed the Cavaliers their third straight loss. James showed up in a Cubs uniform to honor a World Series bet with his buddy Wade, then scored 27 points. Kyrie Irving added 20 points and eight assists and Kevin Love had 15 points and nine rebounds but hit just five of 14 shots.
San Antonio 107, Washington 105: Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points, including the winning jumper with 6 seconds left, and the Spurs overcame another sluggish start at home to beat the Wizards. LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points for San Antonio.
Orlando 105, Philadelphia 88: Aaron Gordon scored a season-high 20 points, Nikola Vucevic had 12 points, 11 rebounds and five assists and the Magic cruised by the 76ers.
L.A. Clippers 114, New Orleans 96: Blake Griffin had 27 points and 10 rebounds and Chris Paul had 17 points and 13 assists, as the Clippers beat the host Pelicans.
