I've become a much bigger fan of Jackson since we hired him. He does sound like a moron on TV but all NBA people who've been quoted when speaking about him say hes a brilliant fuggin guy. He got big time consideration for a lot of jobs but lack of coaching experience seemed to scare off other suitors. For reference guys like Pat Riley, Larry Bird (hes actually got a good coaching record), and Doc Rivers were hired under similar circumstances where they had no NBA coaching experience. Lacob outbid the Lakers for Mike Malone who served as an assistant to Mike Brown in Cleveland (a guy who looks like he needed a lot of help with x's and o's from his staff) and was the top aid to Monty Williams in his successful first year as NO head coach. Hes got experience being the veteran #2 guy next to a rookie HC. I'm intrigued by how many players and NBA people seem to not just like but LOVE Mark Jackson. If nothing else he seems like he can get players to play for him. Obviously he doesn't have the experience but I also wouldn't be surprised if his x's and o's aren't as bad as people think. He was a great PG under a lot of HOF coaches. A coach on the floor as Donnie Walsh said. I think we should all remain suspect about this hire but I do like that it is a high risk/high reward signing. Guys like Casey and Frank seem like lukewarm candidates, perhaps good at their job but would they take us very far? I don't know. Jackson could be a major blunder but he could also be the staple of the franchise we've been looking for. It's risky but I'll take it. And I like that Lacob out-bid the Lakers to get Mike Malone.
The Lakers are under the misguided-direction of Jim Buss now and he wanted the "Phil Jackson element" out of the mix. The only assistant who might be back is Chuck Person because he had a previous relationship with Mike Brown. I remember Jerry West wasn't much of a fan of the Triangle Offense so that might have influenced his decision during the Brian Shaw interview. I think Shaw will get a head coaching gig eventually and will be successful if he has the full support of an owner. He worked his way up the Phil Jackson coaching ranks fairly quickly. Mark Jackson is still a bizarre choice. It's great they have Mike Malone on board and it stings that the Warriors outbid for his services from the Lakers. Jerry West is high risk/high reward executive so maybe it pays off for the Warriors.
