Mark Jackson: Mama There Goes That Man to the Golden State Warriors

I was initially relieved when I first heard the news during the NBA Finals that one of the analysts covering the Finals had accepted the head coaching position with the Golden State Warriors.

After all, it had to be Jeff Van Gundy they were talking about since he was the only guy in ABC’s three-man booth that had, you know, actually coached before. No longer would I have to hear the ol’ leg grabber grate on my eardrums while watching NBA games—or so I thought—and my ears were grateful for it. Then I listened a little bit closer and my relief quickly turned to confusion when I realized they weren’t talking about Stan’s skinnier, younger brother. Rather, the other half of the NBA’s interracial version of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman; they were talking about Mark Jackson.

I mean, what the hell, mama? What man went where? To say the least, I was a little bit taken aback by the decision made by new Warriors owner Joe Lacob and the team’s new lead consultant, Jerry West.

Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not like Jackson is new to the game of basketball, because he’s not. It’s apparent from his days as an analyst that Jackson clearly possesses a very high basketball IQ and he certainly boasts some impressive credentials as a player.

In 17 seasons as a point guard in the NBA, Jackson’s teams made the playoffs 14 times and he ranks only behind John Stockton and Jason Kidd in all-time career assists.

So the man clearly has leadership skills, knows how to run a team, and understands what it takes to get to the NBA postseason. Considering that Golden State has only been to the playoffs once since 1993, that’s certainly a positive.

However, the kicker in all this, and what I can’t get over, is the fact that Jackson has never even been an assistant coach at any level, let alone a head coach. He had been interested about getting into the coaching profession for some time, and even had some interviews over the years with teams like the Bulls, Hornets, Knicks, Suns, and Wolves (where he was a finalist), but he never actually coached the game of basketball. To his credit, though, he did play for five Hall-of-Fame coaches during his college and pro days: Lou Carnesecca, Lenny Wilkens, Jerry Sloan, Pat Riley and Larry Brown.

Still, one would think if Jackson was really serious about transitioning into coaching, he would have left the broadcasting booth a little bit earlier in order to cut his teeth as an assistant coach because that’s usually, you know, how it works. However, Jackson obviously had a different plan and was willing to deal with Van Gundy in the booth until a franchise was willing to take a chance on a guy with no coaching experience but plenty of catch phrases—which the Warriors were.

A lot of people are under the impression that Jackson’s hiring was nothing more than a publicity stunt by Lacob in an effort to create some interest in a franchise that has struggled the last few years both on the court and with fan support. While I don’t necessarily buy into that line of thinking, I’m definitely intrigued to see what Jackson can accomplish with the young, high-scoring, no defense Warriors.

All five starters for the Warriors are under the age of 25 and they feature one of the more prolific scoring backcourts with the tandem of Monta Ellis (24 ppg) and Stephen Curry (18 ppg). The Warriors also added some more perimeter talent in the draft with their selection of 6’7’’ swingman Klay Thompson, who can absolutely stroke it. So even though we have no clue what type of system Jackson will use in Golden State, we can assume it will be perimeter-oriented based on the talented pieces the Warriors have in place.

Still, offense has never been the issue with Golden State. The problem with the Warriors is that they haven’t been able to stop anyone in what seems like forever. Last year under head coach Keith Smart the Warriors ranked 27th in points allowed per game with 105.7. Believe it or not, that was actually an improvement for the Warriors. Prior to that under head coach Don Nelson, the Warriors had a run from 2006-07 to 2009-10 where they finished dead last in points allowed every single year.

Needless to say, Jackson must emphasize defense for the Warriors if they’re ever to be taken seriously and contend in the Western Conference. This is not going to be easy for Jackson considering his backcourt features two undersized guards in Ellis and Curry that are extreme liabilities on defense, while David Lee also serves as another defensive burden at the four spot.

Andris Biedrins is the lone defensive bright spot for the Warriors at the center position, but there’s only so much he can do. And while I like Klay Thompson offensively, I think the Warriors maybe should have drafted Chris Singleton from Florida State if they were serious about improving their horrid defense. Regardless, Golden State fans should get used to being mocked by Jackson’s famous catch phrase—Hand Down, Man Down!—because they’re probably going to be the same terrible defensive team like they always have been.

All things considered, there’s no doubt the Warriors took a gamble by hiring Jackson based solely on the fact that he’s never coached before. Still, Jackson’s hiring will definitely energize the fanbase in the Bay Area and I’m certain his pedigree as a player will immediately earn the respect of this young Warriors squad.

Personally, I have a sneaking suspicion the Warriors might have hit a home run with their selection of Jackson as their head coach. He just took an unorthodox route to get there.