NBA bench bosses prioritizing health to help cope with grind

The 57-year-old Clifford deeply appreciated Kerr's call.

"It was great," he said. "Steve was one of the guys who reached out and obviously we had the health issue in common. It was a terrific gesture."

Last season, former Cavs coach Tyronn Lue dealt with anxiety and needed a mental and physical break.

"Wellness isn't just physical. It's mental as well," Portland guard Damian Lillard said.

"With athletes and coaches in the social media age, it's a little more difficult. That takes it to a much higher level from physical and mental ... when you've got people talking about you all the time, bashing you on Twitter. People just have so much more access to you.

"It has become a more stressful job."

Coaches are also realizing they can't always do it alone, relying on experts to stay healthy.

Golden State hired Rick Celebrini this past offseason as director of sports medicine and performance.

"If you can find some help, somebody to give you a little guidance, like we have here with Rick and Drew Yoder, I think it's a big help," said Kerr.

Associated Press