Video: Mark Jackson had a bizarre take on LeBron’s reaction to Chris Paul’s injury
By Josh Hill
Mark Jackson’s reaction to LeBron James helping an injured Chris Paul had everyone confused.
Chris Paul’s early injury in Game 1 of the Lakers-Suns series put a damper on things. Finally, the Suns were in a position to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the NBA, and their veteran leader left with an injury before the end of the first half.
The curse of Phoenix Sports reared its ugly head once again.
Something else that reared was all of our attention when Mark Jackson weighed in on the aftermath of the injury on ABC’s broadcast.
After Paul went down with what appeared to be a neck and shoulder injury, LeBron James came over from the Lakers bench to hug Paul as he left the court. It was a pretty powerful moment between friends who happened to be opponents, reminding us all that basketball is just a game.
Jackson used the moment to point out that some may say Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan wouldn’t have helped him up.
Mark Jackson on LeBron helping an injured CP3: “Some might say Kobe or Michael would have never helped him up”
— Josh Hill (@jdavhill) May 23, 2021
What? pic.twitter.com/akPDAgi7g5
There’s more context to Jackson’s comment, but it doesn’t really help it make any more sense.
What did Mark Jackson say about LeBron helping Chris Paul after his injury?
“There’s probably people watching that are saying Michael [Jordan] or Kobe [Bryant] wouldn’t have helped him up, but I’d make the case they didn’t have a shut-off valve. I don’t put a stamp on that behavior either. I think I can say I’ll help you up but then I’ll hand you the business once we get back to action,” Jackson said on the broadcast.
Cue the Michael Scott Sometimes I start a sentence and I have no idea where it’s going meme.
Needless to say, the reaction to, the comment was pretty swift.
If I had a choice between paying rent and paying for an NBA broadcast that doesn’t include Mark Jackson, I would be homeless
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) May 23, 2021
Fuck is Mark Jackson talking about man???
— 🎄Black Big Lebowski🎄 (@LaJethroJenkins) May 23, 2021
Mark Jackson just be talking lol
— Travonne Edwards (@Travonne) May 23, 2021
Not everyone took a stance against Jackson’s comments, though. If we’re going to point out that the game has changed to the point where opponents are helping each other up, we need to acknowledge that it wouldn’t have happened in the not-so-distant past.
Kobe tore his Achilles, refused help, made two free throws and walked off under his own power.
— Ryan Phillips (@RumorsandRants) May 23, 2021
I mean, he’s right. Jordan would have waved off medical attention. Doesn’t make it right, but it’s true lol
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) May 23, 2021
Paul left the game and headed back to the Suns locker room, but not only emerged a few minutes later but returned to the floor.