Before they became a dynasty, the Golden State Warriors were coached by Mark Jackson. Under his guidance, the Dubs were becoming a rising power in the Western Conference, with the young Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green coming to their own.
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However, after the 2013-14 season, the Golden State Warriors front office went in a different direction, replacing Mark Jackson with Steve Kerr. The following season, Kerr led the team to its first NBA title in 40 years, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Mark Jackson hasn’t had a coaching job since then, as he became a regular NBA analyst for ABC, teaming up with Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen. ESPN eventually fired Jackson through a wave of layoffs in June 2023.
Mark Jackson sounds off on his time with the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson’s departure
During a recent interview with Sway’s Universe, Mark Jackson admitted he thought Klay Thompson would finish his NBA career with the Golden State Warriors, although he added that his move to the Dallas Mavericks is part of the business.
“I think in the ideal world, Klay Thompson finishes his career with the Golden State Warriors. But you know how this business is. The loyalty only works one way, and that’s not a knock on the Warriors, that’s just the way the sports world is. Everybody doesn’t get to sign a deal at the end like Derek Jeter. Truth be told, you look back and they probably should have let him go as great as he was,” Jackson said.
“Klay Thompson is going to be fine, and it’s a great pickup for the Dallas Mavericks. Unfortunately, he didn’t end his career with the Golden State Warriors, but that’s not the way the world works. I’m proud of Klay Thompson because when we drafted him—and he’d be the first to tell you. I’m proud as a coach and as a friend,” he concluded.
