Stephen Curry on losing Mark Jackson: ‘It’s difficult’
When the Golden State Warriors season ended at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers, guard Stephen Curry immediately jumped to the defense of Mark Jackson whose job security was on the brink after several riffs with the front office.
“I love Coach more than anybody, and I think for him to be in a situation where his job is under scrutiny and under question is totally unfair. And it would definitely be a shock to me if anything like that were to happen. I’m going to voice my support for Coach.”
Nearly a month later, Mark Jackson is out as the head coach and Joe Lacob has swiftly moved on from that regiment, stealing Steve Kerr away from the New York Knicks and hiring him as head coach on a deal worth $35 million over the next five years. And Curry has finally spoken out on the matter, voicing how he felt about the Jackson situation all while vehemently supporting new head coach in Kerr.
"“It’s difficult, but it’s good to know what the next direction is,” said Curry, who hasn’t spoken publicly since Jackson was fired. “It’s still kind of stressful knowing how it all went down.”via Stephen Curry Speaks About Losing Mark Jackson, Getting Steve Kerr, and the New Direction of the Warriors | Mercury News"
Based on his comment, it seems that Curry is aware that Jackson’s firing had more to do with the dynamic between Joe Lacob and Jackson rather than it did his coaching ability. But Curry being openly receptive to Kerr bodes well for the Warriors management. There has yet to be a point in his career where he spoke out against the direction of the team, but had Curry done so, the rest of the team would likely follow.
In fact, based on the interview with the Mercury News, what Curry wants most out of Kerr is to do his best Mark Jackson impression, being a players coach and pushing the team to the best of their ability.
"To be able to get the most out of us. To challenge us. Pushing us to a higher level. And I don’t think he’ll have a problem with that. We’re in good hands. I’m not worried about that. He just has to develop his coaching style. I agree with the decision (to hire Kerr).”"
Regardless of how Curry feels, the past is the past and he’s ready to embrace what’s to come. For Kerry, there are loads of expectations surrounding this Warriors team going into next season and it’ll be important that he puts these guys into the best position to succeed. Having Curry’s open support is the first step. Competiting in a hectic Western Conference is next.