Mark Jackson: Lockout increases the challenges for new coaches – NBA Special report (Part 1)
The National Basketball Association (NBA) lockout is getting severe with time and there are no indications that the matter will be sorted out in near future. In the midst of all the uncertainty, everybody ranging from the players
to the fans are suffering, but we often neglect the plight of the NBA coaches, especially the ones who are newly hired.
During the lockout the players and franchise employees cannot remain in contact with each other, and as per the NBA rules, the league heavy fines can be imposed on anyone found guilty.
The lockout has affected not just the work out sessions, but has also erased the summer leagues. This is a crucial time especially for the newly drafted players, as they get time to adjust themselves to the big stage with coaches
working on their deficiencies.
Off season is the prime time, when coaches can pay attention to each member of the squad properly and tweak their game during the work outs in accordance with their future plans. The coaches, who were hired by the franchises in
the recent past, require this off season more than the ones, who have already been engaged with their respective sides for a season or more.
The franchises that hired new coaches recently are Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. Once the lockout settles down there wouldn’t be enough time for these newly hired coaches to set
ample training camps or workout sessions. So it will be a tough task for these coaches to develop a strategic rhythm.
Although, players do practice during the lockouts, but those who could not find competitive playing opportunities suffer a great deal. Keeping the ordeal of the lockout in mind, let us examine, what are the challenges that each
new coach would face next season.
Mark Jackson, Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors hired Mark Jackson as the new head coach of the side nearly a month ago. Mark has no previous experience in coaching, but as a player, Jackson has a decent career and it was his positive attitude that eventually
earned him the job.
Warriors’ owner Joe Lacob said in a statement, "He epitomized leadership as a player in this league for 17 seasons and we think that characteristic -- and many other positive traits -- will translate very well into his coaching
duties with our young team. He was a leader and a winner both on and off the floor in this league and we're convinced that he is the right person to guide this team into the future and help us achieve the success that we are striving for as an organization."
Prior to joining the Warriors, Jackson was engaged with a sports channel, but now the veteran is all set to marshal the Warriors. However, the lockout has made his challenge thorny. The Warriors are an offensive juggernaut and
over the span of the last few seasons, they have established themselves as the most potent scoring team in the league.
However, they have nothing to show for it. The problem lies in the back court and it is this deficiency that Jackson had in his sights, when he joined. These kinks are not that easy to remove and Jackson needs ample time to inculcate
a defensive culture in his young side. And he is not getting that time. This effectively means that the defensive trouble shooting will take place during the next regular season, whenever it starts.
The second issue with the Warriors is the trade scenario regarding their star shooting guard Monta Ellis. Ellis is deemed by many as the weak link in the Warriors defence, but he is an accomplished threat on the offence. If Ellis
leaves, Jackson will certainly have some problem in managing a team that has become used to relying on Ellis.
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