Warriors’ Kerr makes surprise APEC appearance to introduce Biden

Kerr first appeared in a video alongside fellow Warrior Stephen Curry, former Olympic champion figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, U.S. soccer icon Brandi Chastain and San Francisco Mayor London Breed. The five welcomed attendees of the summit to San Francisco before Kerr said, “Wait a sec, I have one more thing to say.”

The Dubs coach left the frame of the video, and then walked onto the stage of the event, which appeared to be an unannounced move, the way attendees described it.

“Mr. President, you and I both know winning takes everything,” Kerr said. “That’s true for my team, the Golden State Warriors, and that’s true for this team of leaders. So, on behalf of the people of San Francisco, welcome to our city, APEC. And on behalf of, well, the whole world, I hope you have a productive meeting.

“Now, it is my distinct honor to introduce the President of the United States: Joe Biden.”

Kerr is one of the most outspoken coaches in the NBA, willing to openly call for change in the face of what he sees as institutional failure regarding gun control, racial inequality and police brutality. There has been no sign of that side of him this week, either in his press conferences ahead of Warriors games where he’s made such statements in the past or during his brief remarks at the APEC event.

Outside of Wednesday’s reception, protestors gathered to implore President Biden to support a cease-fire in Gaza as more than 11,000 Palestinians, including over 4,600 children, reportedly have died as a result of Israel’s retaliation for the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. When asked what the chances of a cease-fire were last week, Biden told reporters on Nov. 9, “None. No possibility.”