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Steve Kerr pays tribute to Dejan Milojevic in an emotional speech to Warriors fans before their first home game since the coach’s sudden death last week: ‘He was a part of our soul’
Dejan Milojevic suffered a heart attack at a team dinner last week
The Serbian assistant coach was just 46 years old
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The Warriors and Steve Kerr honored late assistant Dejan Milojevic on Wednesday at the Chase Center as they prepared to play their first home game since the coach’s sudden death last week.
Milojevic died last Wednesday after suffering a heart attack the night before at a team dinner in Salt Lake City. The Warriors had two games postponed after the tragic incident.
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Warriors coach Kerr addressed the Chase Center crowd before Golden State played the Hawks on Wednesday.
‘The world lost a beautiful soul last week. Deki was a wonderful friend, a hell of a basketball coach, a great man and most importantly a beautiful grandson, son, husband and father,’ Kerr said.
‘… The smile, the joy, the laughter – it was ever present. And what he meant to us was a huge part of who we are – he’s a part of our soul.’
He concluded, ‘Rather than a moment of silence, I’d like you to join me in honoring Deki and his beautiful family… I’d like for all of us to give Deki an ovation that he can hear up in heaven.’
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Warriors coach Steve Kerr addressed fans before the team played the Hawks on Wednesday
The Warriors were visibly emotional as they honored during a ceremony before their game
Milojevic’s family was in attendance at the game on Wednesday night at the Chase Center
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Kerr’s speech was then followed by a rousing round of applause from the crowd, which included Milojevic’s family in attendance.
Later, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green appeared to cry during the Warriors’ pregame introductions.
Players also warmed up with shirts that read ‘BRATE,’ which means ‘brother’ in Serbian – Milojevic’s native tongue.
Additionally, the Chase Center court featured the initials ‘DM’ painted inside a heart behind the basket, while players will also wear ‘DM’ patches on their jerseys for the rest of the NBA season as a tribute to the coach.
The team saved a seat on the bench for the coach, placing a ‘BRATE’ shirt and flower over i
Klay Thompson is seeing wearing a ‘BRATE’ shirt before the Warriors-Hawks game
Warriors forward Draymond Green is seen with tears on his cheek on Wednesday night
Boban Marjanovic
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There was also a seat saved for the coach on the bench, with jerseys bearing his last name placed on it, as well as a ‘BRATE’ shirt and a white flower.
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The Warriors’ X account also posted a video of the players warming up before the game, captioning it ‘Forever with us, Deki.’
The tributes to the coach extended past San Francisco, as Milojevic’s countryman, Rockets center Boban Marjanovic, also sported a ‘BRATE’ shirt before his team’s game.
The Mavs’ Luka Doncic also wore the tee before Dallas’ matchup with the Suns, while the Spurs honored Milojevic before their game as well.
Milojevic, 46, was part of the coaching staff that helped the Warriors win the 2022 NBA championship.
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