Lofton impressed with ex-teammate Steve Kerr

Kenny Lofton backed up Steve Kerr at the University of Arizona.

Kenny Lofton has a very unique tie to the 2015 NBA Finals.

The former MLB outfielder spent 10 seasons in Cleveland with the Indians, but very few remember that Lofton backed up Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr on the men’s basketball team at the University of Arizona.

“He’s always been a coach on the floor,” Lofton told Sportsnet at the Joe Carter Classic charity event on Tuesday night. “He had a deep understanding of the game, especially on offence. So I’m not surprised (with his early success) at all.”

Lofton, Kerr, and former San Antonio Spurs forward Sean Elliott played under NCAA legend Lute Olson during the Wildcats run to the Final Four in 1988. He is one of only two men to take part in the Final Four and the World Series (the other being Tim Stoddard).

“I wasn’t a great shooter, but Sean Elliot and Steve Kerr more than made up for that shortcoming,” Lofton wrote on The Players’ Tribune this past April. “I took a lot of pride in the way I played defense, which, like playing centre field, is a skill very reliant on instincts and anticipation. Steve had a firm grip on the starting point guard job, so my role on the team was to bring energy off the bench.”

Lofton, who thought Kerr would eventually end up coaching at his alma mater, said his former teammate was smart to choose the up-and-coming Warriors instead of the New York Knicks.

“When you have a great team like that, the success happens,” Lofton explained. “Like they say, right place, right time. Timing is everything.”

However, Lofton is not pulling for the Warriors in the NBA Finals, despite his relationship with Kerr.

“I’m rooting for Cleveland. I spent a lot of time there. I feel they need it.”

Game 4 of the NBA Finals takes place Thursday night in Cleveland. The Cavaliers lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.

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