Could Mark Jackson emerge as a head-coaching candidate for the Brooklyn Nets?
According to a recent report, if Kevin Durant has his way with the Brooklyn Nets‘ ongoing head coaching search, we could see the return of a familiar name to the NBA sidelines. Per Brian Windhorst, he seems to believe that the tea leaves are forming in support of the premise that Durant is in favor of Mark Jackson being the new head coach for the Nets.
You can listen to the context in its entirety here, but should this carry any substance it would be interesting and quite the development. Jackson hasn’t coached in the NBA since the 2013-14 season in which he helped the Golden State Warriors win 51 games. They lost in the first round of the playoffs but left much to be desired in retrospect considering the team would go on to win the NBA Championship the very next season under Steve Kerr.
Quite frankly, fair or not, that’s what Jackson is most remembered as it pertains to his head-coaching career. The coach that almost took the Warriors to the promised land. Or, a bit more mean-spirited, the coach that failed to win a championship with arguably the greatest team ever assembled.
Mark Jackson’s coaching history is polarizing
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Then, there is the whole stance of how much credit should Jackson get? You can argue that he didn’t realize the team’s potential when he was the head coach. Perhaps the biggest evidence of that was his use of Draymond Green.
Draymond went from being a spot-starter and role player to become a starter and key component of a championship team the very next year. By the time Jackson realized Draymond’s potential (in the playoffs), it was too late for the Warriors.
After taking a step back in the playoffs, Golden State elected to move on from Jackson. The Warriors would go on to win the championship the very next season. Who knows if they still win the championship with Jackson as their head coach, but that’s an unknown variable that we’ll never be able to answer.
Who knows if Jackson is a good or even great coach. Or has the capability of being one. He certainly comes with some baggage, allegedly. Sooner or later, you’d have to think that Jackson will eventually get another shot in the NBA.
Question is, will it be this season and with the Brooklyn Nets?