NBA Update: Mark Jackson very likely to land the Golden State Warriors coaching job
A surprising development in the Golden State Warriors head coaching situation has seen Mark Jackson emerge as a strong candidate for the job. Jackson is a former NBA player and has spent most of his playing career with the New
York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. He is currently serving as an analyst for a sports channel.
Golden State Warriors appear to be flirting with changes these days and owner Joe Lacob has apparently decided to give serious consideration to Mark Jackson for the job. The Warriors recently hired NBA Legend and former Los Angeles
Lakers General Manager Jerry West as an executive and it is not know yet if he gave any input regarding the decision for the coaching position.
The Warriors were linked with more conventional names before news of Jackson’s candidature became public. The names being thrown around were Brian Shaw, Lawrence Frank and Dwane Casey. Lawrence Frank and Dwane Casey are both currently
assistant coaches, at the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics respectively. Lawrence Frank also has experience as a head coach in the NBA having coached the New Jersey Nets in the past.
Dwane Casey is the current right hand of Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle and has been a key component in guiding the Mavs to the NBA Finals that begin on Tuesday. Casey has an extensive coaching experience at home while he also coached
in Japan for a few years. In 2005, he was hired as head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who did not retain the services of Kevin McHale after the former Celtics legend had coached the team for half a season.
Brian Shaw assisted the legendary Phil Jackson’s at the Los Angeles Lakers for the last few years and played a part in the Lakers back to back NBA title triumphs. Shaw also played under Jackson for the Lakers and was considered
a favourite to land the head coach position vacated by the latter. However, Los Angeles have since decided to hire former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown.
In comparison with these seasoned coaches, Mark Jackson’s name is a complete shock as the analyst has never coached in any capacity. Throwing such an untested entity onto the bench as head coach of a team does not seem to be a
wise decision. However reports suggest that Mark Jackson has already met twice with the executives of the Warriors, including a meeting with owner Joe Lacob. Joe Lacob has not talked to the other three candidates personally.
That fact certainly throws a lot of weight behind Jackson’s chances, but it is yet to be seen if the Golden State Warriors go ahead and hire him as head coach.
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