Multiple reports have painted a grim picture of Mark Jackson‘s chances to remain as coach of the Warriors, but the team has been holding off on a decision. Jackson is meeting with co-owner Joe Lacob and team executives at present, and it will be a “pivot point” in determining the coach’s future, according to Tim Kawakami of the Bay Area News Group (Twitter links). Sources close to Warriors management tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports they expect the team will fire Jackson (Twitter link). The team appears poised to make it’s decision later today, or tomorrow at the latest, Kawakami adds (on Twitter).
Jackson isn’t enamored with Warriors brass either, tweets Monte Poole of CSN Bay Area. The issues between Jackson and his bosses extend beyond basketball, Kawakami hears, reiterating an earlier report from Wojnarowski that no one in the front office will lobby for him to stay (Twitter links). The Warriors have consulted with staffers throughout the organization about their decision on Jackson, and it doesn’t sound like he’s drawing much support, Kawakami tweets. Ultimately, Lacob will make the decision, as Kawakami points out (on Twitter).
Jackson and assistant GM Kirk Lacob, the owner’s son, have had no relationship following a recent dispute, Kawakami adds (Twitter link). Jackson’s stubbornness and defensive attitude in the face of criticism are among the complaints from the Warriors, as fellow Bay Area News Group scribe Marcus Thompson wrote earlier. The “religiosity” of Jackson, an ordained minister, has also made some in organization uncomfortable, according to Thompson.
Still, several Warriors players, including Stephen Curry, have expressed their fondness and support for their coach. The Warriors would nonetheless like to see Curry in a more free-flowing offense, Kawakami wrote overnight. Jackson’s lack of interest in moving to the Bay Area instead of continuing to commute from Southern California and perhaps his asking price on an extension are factors that hurt him in the team’s eyes, Kawakami adds. Ultimately, his coaching style and the way he manages the staff appears to be the major sticking points, according to Kawakami.
Steve Kerr, Fred Hoiberg and, most recently, Stan Van Gundy have been linked to the as-yet-unopen Warriors head coaching job. The Warriors have a short list, but they haven’t engaged in serious talks about a replacement for Jackson yet, Kawakami tweets.