The what have you done for me lately theme in sports has bothered me for quite some time. People tend to forget the rough times or they tend to focus on what is currently going on. This brings me to talk about the Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors Mark Jackson.
Jackson has coached the Golden State Warriors for three seasons, and in those three seasons Jackson has led them to back to back playoff appearances. The Warriors were ousted in the first round this season, but in all fairness it was against a Los Angeles Clippers team that overmatched them in the paint.
Despite losing in the first round Jackson’s Warriors improved as a team winning 51 games, which was a 4 game increase from the previous year. For the first time in a long time things seem to be getting better in Golden State. The Warriors seen a glimpse of success during the 2006-2007 season, but that team didn’t duplicate any success after that season. Jackson’s Warriors are one of the younger teams in the NBA, and they are a Center away from making some real noise.
Whispers of Mark Jackson getting fired has been ridiculous. We are talking about a coach who has led the team to the playoffs for consecutive years, and had been influential in the development of All-Star Steph Curry.
For some odd reason the front office in Golden State seems to have amnesia. Prior to Jackson’s arrival the Warriors hadn’t made back to back playoff appearances since early days of Run TMC in the early 1990’s. Firing Mark Jackson would be a huge mistake, and I am sure that the players will be upset if it happens.
It would be wise to keep Jackson on the sidelines as the Warriors continue to build their roster. If he is fired I’m sure that he will find a coaching home soon.
Memo to the Warriors: I know winning is foreign to your organization, but I am sure that having Mark Jackson on the sideline is a lot easier to deal with the days of Gary St. Jean, Eric Musselman, and Mike Montgomery.
