It’s unclear who else New York will interview. Jason Kidd and Mark Jackson both have fans in the organization. There is some support in the organization for Kidd to be among those who get an interview for the opening, per sources. Spurs assistant Becky Hammon was described by a source as a name to keep an eye on, as Newsday first reported. There is also some interest in bringing in former Cavs head coach Mike Brown in for an interview, per sources.
Mark Jackson Rumors
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Mark Jackson
Position: -
Born: 04/01/65
Height: 6-3 / 1.91
Weight:195 lbs. / 88.5 kg.
Earnings: $38,885,000 ($62,115,148*)
Born: 04/01/65
Height: 6-3 / 1.91
Weight:195 lbs. / 88.5 kg.
Earnings: $38,885,000 ($62,115,148*)
Jackson says he wants to get back into coaching, but some executives wonder if he’s ever taken the right steps to make himself more marketable. Last June, former Warrior Andre Iguodala said Jackson is being blackballed because of his strong religious beliefs.
“Steve Kerr is a heckuva basketball coach and an even better person. So he’s done a heckuva job with the Golden State Warriors. (But) I would say get the facts straight,” Jackson said, referring to his tenure as coach. “The fact is we were a top five defense over the course of that tenure and we were a top 10 offense when it was all said and done. You have to understand – and these guys will admit it – the Steph Currys, the Klay Thompsons, the Draymond Greens: the team that I had are not the same individuals (that they were when I coached them). They look the same, and they’re the same people , but they’re not the same players that they were when I first got ahold of them.
“That being said: I’d be a fool to sit here and tell you that there’s nothing that I would do differently. There’s certainly things that I would do differently. And I look forward to the opportunity of one day proving that. But there’s no question about the success. This is a team that, one time in the previous (17) years made the playoffs. All of a sudden, they propel themselves into a dynasty. I don’t want credit for making them a dynasty. But from that one time in (17) years to all of a sudden being a playoff team, something good takes place.”
One interesting note regarding Jackson: When he was a head coach with the Warriors, Jackson wanted to hire Van Gundy as his top assistant, per SNY sources familiar with the matter. Van Gundy was an ESPN analyst at the time. This isn’t to suggest that Jackson would hire Van Gundy if Jackson gets a head-coaching job. That may or may not happen. Van Gundy, of course, will draw plenty of interest from other teams with job openings.
Mark Jackson wants to coach again
Former Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson is hoping to get another chance to lead an NBA team.
“There are 30 NBA jobs. I don’t minimize myself to one. I look forward to one day coaching again, it’s a dream of mine. I had an incredible time in Golden State coaching for three years, developing incredible relationships, and having some success. And I look forward to the challenge of doing it once again somewhere.”
Jalen Rose compared today’s NBA with the league from more than 20 years ago after Mark Jackson’s comments that players like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant had a different mindset. The former NBA player made a comparison between LeBron James and Karl Malone, who are both of the same height and weight but are playing entirely different positions. “Two players embodied that for me that I played against to show the difference in the eras. They’re both similar if you look at their height and their weight. The two players are Karl Malone and LeBron James. They’re listed the same. Karl Malone had skills for a big man. LeBron James has skills for a guard.
Mark Jackson: Kobe meant a tremendous amount to me. As an opponent, he won his first championship with the Lakers against my Pacers team. But as a fan of the game, I looked at him and appreciated everything about him. Not just in terms of his greatness, but how passionate and hard he worked. Kobe kept improving, not just as a basketball player—as a father, as a husband, as a man. He just continued to get better and wasn’t willing to accept anything less than getting better. Kobe sought incredible knowledge across the board, and was determined to be the best he could possibly be. That’s why so many people embraced him.
Mark Jackson: I’m a guy with tremendous faith. I’m not gonna slit my wrists if I never coach again. If you do what you’re supposed to do, it’s a promise from God that I will not withhold any good thing from you. So if I’m not coaching, that means it’s not good as long as I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. I truly believe that the day will come when I have the opportunity to, you know, to walk the sidelines again and lead a basketball team. For three years in Golden State had the time my life impact and plays, developing relationships and changing a culture. I truly was blessed to do that and I look forward to the opportunity to do it again. I don’t believe that no man can blackball me at all. If an opportunity presented itself, I’ll be locked and loaded and fully prepared to finish the task
Mark Jackson: At the end of the day, I got fired and 24 hours later, I was signed up To go back to ESPN and call the NBA Finals, so it wasn’t like I had the opportunity to sit back and say, ‘Man, what is going on? How I’m gonna pay this bill? How I’m gonna do that or what I’m gonna do now?’ Before I even was fired I had another opportunity to go back to what I was once doing and be with friends that I have for life.
Mark Jackson: One thing about those (Warriors) guys, they were true professionals. Every one of the guys that I coached, they bought in from day one, and the culture change… You can say, well, my staff and I played a key role, but you have to have willing basketball players that want to do to work, compete, and continue to get better and I was blessed in that area.
Mark Jackson: I’m a guy with tremendous faith. I’m not gonna slit my wrists if I never coach again. If you do what you’re supposed to do, it’s a promise from God that I will not withhold any good thing from you. So if I’m not coaching, that means it’s not good as long as I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. I truly believe that the day will come when I have the opportunity to, you know, to walk the sidelines again and lead a basketball team. For three years in Golden State had the time my life impact and plays, developing relationships and changing a culture. I truly was blessed to do that and I look forward to the opportunity to do it again. I don’t believe that no man can blackball me at all. If an opportunity presented itself, I’ll be locked and loaded and fully prepared to finish the task
Mark Jackson: At the end of the day, I got fired and 24 hours later, I was signed up To go back to ESPN and call the NBA Finals, so it wasn’t like I had the opportunity to sit back and say, ‘Man, what is going on? How I’m gonna pay this bill? How I’m gonna do that or what I’m gonna do now?’ Before I even was fired I had another opportunity to go back to what I was once doing and be with friends that I have for life.
Mark Jackson: One thing about those (Warriors) guys, they were true professionals. Every one of the guys that I coached, they bought in from day one, and the culture change… You can say, well, my staff and I played a key role, but you have to have willing basketball players that want to do to work, compete, and continue to get better and I was blessed in that area.
Van Gundy has done the NBA Finals for ABC/ESPN for 13 straight years with Mike Breen and Mark Jackson. “There’s a lot of disappointment,’’ Van Gundy said. “If you’re involved in the NBA, you certainly miss it especially this time of year coming down the stretch and playoffs. But NBA people, when I talk to them, the conversations don’t center around, ‘I wish we were playing.’ It centers around, ‘Gosh, I hope we can make moves to get this (coronavirus) under control.’”
Greg Logan: Marks denied that Durant and Irving had any bigger role in this than any other players. Also declined to comment on speculation about Mark Jackson as future coach because he shares same agent as Durant.
Kleiman, whose childhood bedroom was filled with Jackson posters, now is a good friend of the ABC/ESPN broadcaster. Like some of Jackson’s allies in the NBA, Kleiman is stunned he’s not coaching. “I knew he wasn’t the greatest point guard to ever play but every kid, every teacher, every friend, they all knew I loved Mark Jackson,’’ Kleiman said. “I had two teams growing up. The Knicks at the Garden and the team Mark was on. It’s one of those things where a childhood hero becomes a good friend.”
Kleiman gave his thoughts on Jackson Wednesday, three days before the Nets parted ways with Kenny Atkinson, jolting open another vacancy. “I talked to him about it all the time – that you should be coaching in the NBA,’’ Kleiman said. “He’s one of those magnetic personalities. When you get people who are that special and people follow, it’s not always the most conventional way of doing things. That disruptiveness is sometimes what you need to become great. He’s a very spiritual guy. The idea is his time will come but if it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be.’’
Asked if he can envision Jackson coming back home to coach the Knicks, Kleiman said: “There’a few things in life that like would check certain boxes for me. If he ever had a chance to coach the Knicks, obviously I’d be over the moon. But more importantly he’d be a tremendous coach. Somebody who brings a certain amount of credibility to any room he walks into. He can’t help but infuse positivity into a culture. I’ve seen it.’’
We know that Leon Rose has connections to Tom Thibodeau and Jeff Van Gundy. Both are expected to get consideration from New York. But Rose – and his longtime business partner William ‘World Wide Wes’ Wesley – certainly have relationships with dozens of coaches around the NBA and NCAA. Included among that group is former Knick Mark Jackson and ex-Knicks head coach Mike Woodson.
KLEIMAN: “That being said, whether it’s the Knicks, Timberwolves, Pacers, Clippers, any team, Mark Jackson is, to me, just one of those unique individuals that knows how to lead people, that knows how to inspire people. He’s got a personality that demands a certain level of attention. And I think it’s unfair that he hasn’t gotten a shot in the league, but I’m confident that he will. And I try not to get caught up in the six years that he hasn’t gotten a job and understand that for me, as his friend, he’s still the lead national analyst for the NBA (on ESPN) and the right job will come for him. And if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. Mark is winning in life. He’s got a great family, he’s got a great job and he’s a great person…. I’m rooting for him as a friend but again, I think Mike Miller deserves a shot to see this through. He’s doing well.”
Frank Isola: Leon Rose maintained a good relationship with Jim Dolan over the last 10 years. Obviously, getting Carmelo to the Knicks was a huge part of it. He’s got ties to a lot of coaches including JVG, Thibodeau, Mark Jackson and John Calipari.
If Kleiman were to run the Knicks, sources close to him said he’d likely hire former St. John’s star Mark Jackson as head coach. Kleiman has a long relationship with Jackson and, sources said, he believed that Jackson should have been the hire in 2018 when David Fizdale got the gig.
LaVar says he not only stands by his decisions to take LaMelo Ball out of high school in the United States (he went to Lithuania and Australia) … but says he’s convinced Melo will be the #1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Ball says his dream would be for the NY Knicks to hire Mark Jackson as the next head coach — who would then take Melo with their first pick. In fact, Ball says he sees a world in which all 3 of his sons sign with the Knicks and play in Madison Square Garden. He thinks his fam can save the franchise.
Once you are on the floor with an elite passer, be ready. The ball might catch you. “Your awareness is heightened,” said Carter, who has shared the court with point guards such as Jason Kidd, Mark Jackson and Jason Williams during his 21-year career. “[Trae Young] is definitely in the conversation with those three guys as far as passing and no-look-passing ability,” Carter adds. “He does it so easy. Effortless.”
Mark Jackson: Praying for the Family, Friends, and Fans of Commissioner David Stern! Best ever in Any sport! Thank u!!! #RIP pic.twitter.com/Dekk7I03l0
In addition to Bryant, Duncan, Garnett and Bosh, other players nominated for the first time this year include Shawn Marion, Michael Finley, Mark Eaton and Buck Williams. Meanwhile, Chauncey Billups, Mark Jackson, Tim Hardaway, Richard Hamilton, Chris Webber, Ben Wallace and Marcus Camby are among those on the ballot who have been nominated multiple times.
Charles Oakley says even though the dude’s a LEGEND in New York, Patrick Ewing simply ain’t the right guy to take over for David Fizdale as Knicks head coach. But, don’t worry, Oak’s got someone in mind — Mark Jackson!!
TMZ Sports spoke with the ex-NY star about the coaching vacancy … and, while he lists off a number of ex-Knicks who are qualified for the gig, Ewing ain’t one of them. Why?? “Ya gotta be a different type of coach than Patrick,” Oak tells us. “I think he tried before and they didn’t hire him. So, I don’t know. We’ll see what happens.”
The Knicks want interim head coach Mike Miller to finish the season in the position, but I’m told they have a short list of potential in-season candidates, including Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson and Tom Thibodeau, should the team’s faltering season necessitate another move. Miller was informed upon taking the job that it is an interim position, and that the Knicks would keep an open mind for a possible permanent hire throughout the remainder of the season.
The Knicks did some due diligence on Jackson’s Warriors tenure prior to hiring Fizdale. It’s unclear how far along Jackson got in the process with New York. But the idea that they chose Fizdale over Jackson, an ex-Knick who would have been mostly embraced by the fan base, is telling. According to sources, there are members of the organization who remain wary of hiring Jackson.
Early coaching names floating around league circles as a replacement include former Knicks guard and Brooklyn native Mark Jackson, who last coached the Golden State Warriors to a 51-31 record in the 2013-14 season. “I think he could do well there,” one Eastern Conference scout told CNBC shortly after Fizdale’s dismissal was reported. “But would they hire Mark?”
06 Dec 19
He currently ranks 10th with 8,879 assists, but he will soon surpass Gary Payton (8,966), Isiah Thomas (9,061) and perhaps even Chris Paul (9,290) this season. Assuming he maintains his season average of 11 per game, James should top Payton and Thomas at some point in the middle of this season. Paul, who is currently with the Oklahoma City Thunder in his 15th season, has stayed healthy and productive thus far. Considering Paul’s extensive injury history though, James could make up enough ground to climb ahead of his close friend either late this season or early next season. James should also eclipse Oscar Robertson (9,887 assists) next season and Magic Johnson (10,141), Mark Jackson (10,334) and Steve Nash (10,335) in two years. It seems like a stretch James could surpass Jason Kidd (12,091) and John Stockton (15,806). “I’ve been fortunate to be able to play with great teammates and great coaches in three great organizations so far in my career,” James said. “I just hope I make anyone who has followed my career proud.”
Mark Jackson an option for Knicks?
Chris Mannix: Should the Knicks eventually move on from Fizdale, there are in-house options — Keith Smart has been a head coach, Kaleb Canales was an interim coach in Portland — but the name to be watched is Mark Jackson. He was a pre-Fiz candidate and a favorite of GM Scott Perry.
Fizdale was a good soldier during last season’s 17-win tank-a-thon, but how hard this team plays in the next few weeks is worth watching. One name to consider if the season really starts to careen: Mark Jackson. The ex-Warriors coach (and ex-Knick) was a favorite of GM Scott Perry during the interview process in 2018, and Jackson has made no secret about his desire to coach again. Fizdale won’t be expected to perform miracles with this group but New York can’t let the season slip away quickly.
3). Chauncey Billups will shift from ESPN’s NBA studio to NBA and college game assignments. Jeff Van Gundy/Mark Jackson, Hubie Brown and Doris Burke return as ESPN’s top-tiered game analysts, in that order.
The basketball court isn’t the only place where Andre Iguodala is a straight shooter. On Tuesday, appearing on ESPN’s “The Breakfast Club” to discuss his newly released book “The Sixth Man” he said he believes former Warriors coach Mark Jackson has been blackballed by the NBA. “I do,” he said. “Yes. Absolutely.”
Iguodala joined the Warriors for the 2013-14 season in Jackson’s third, and final, season as the team’s coach. “He was one of my favorite coaches of all time,” Iguodala said. “It was like, come in, compete, play hard. He was going to put you in the best position to get the most money.”
“One particular issue was, from what I heard, his views on gender or marriage, or what the Bible said about your sexuality.” Now as then, Warriors COO Rick Welts was a valuable executive on the team’s business side. “He just went in the Hall of Fame,” Iguodala said. “He was the brains behind All-Star weekend. He’s celebrated as one of the top execs in sports.” He also is openly gay, with beliefs that would have conflicted with Jackson’s. “So there were conflicts with that,” Iguodala said. “It was widespread. Everyone was talking about that.”
