Arizona great Steve Kerr has become NBA playoff coaching great Steve Kerr.

The former Wildcat coach-on-the-floor point guard coached the Golden State Warriors to a significant Game 1 victory, 119-106 over the host Houston Rockets tonight. The Warriors, who have won two of the last three NBA titles, have gained the homecourt edge in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals with the win.

(TNT screen shot)

The victory improved Kerr’s career playoff coaching record to 56-17, winning percentage of .767, accumulated in four years as the Warriors’ coach. That ranks highest among coaches who have coached at least 70 playoff games.

Phil Jackson, who has 11 NBA titles as a head coach, including three while coaching Kerr with the Chicago Bulls, is next with a winning percentage of .688 (229-104 in 20 seasons). Of course, Kerr needs 260 games in the playoffs to catch Jackson in that category.

TOP PLAYOFF COACHING WINNING PERCENTAGE

With at least 70 playoff games coached
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Kerr’s 56 wins in the playoffs now ranks No. 19 in history, tying Dick Matta (56-70 record).

He has a long way to catch Jackson’s record 229 victories.

Former Arizona standout Andre Iguodala, who started for the Warriors, finished with 11 points, four rebounds and two steals in the pivotal win over the Rockets.