This is so Mark Jackson.
During his time as head coach of the Golden State Warriors, Jackson has rarely hesitated to speak his mind or talk in hyperbole. That’s what we love about him, because it’s so entertaining. That’s what Warriors management may hate about him, because it’s too damn entertaining.
Of all the things he has said in the past, though, his recent take on playoff preparation may be the best. At the very least, it’s makes the list of top-10 Jackson-isms.
Speaking on the radio, Jackson was asked if he caught much sleep during the NBA playoffs. It’s a valid question. NFL coaches are notorious for barely sleeping. It’s possible NBA coaches, especially during the postseason, are in the same boat.
Jackson’s response was equal parts honest and amazing. Kevin Draper of thedissnba.com provided a transcription of Jackson’s comments:
Um, you won’t hear this from anybody else, but I think it’s overrated. Do you mean to tell me I gotta stay up to figure that Chris Paul is a superstar basketball player and he’s going to be tough defending pick and rolls on? Or Blake Griffin? I gotta stay up to figure out how to defend him in the post situation and keep him in transition. You do your work, you’re prepared, and then you go out and handle your business. But to me, I really believe it is overrated. That doesn’t mean you don’t do the job, but I’m going to get my rest, I’m not going to grow old and be stressed out and get gray hair.
At the end of the season, if the Warriors are eliminated by the Los Angeles Clippers and owner Joe Lacob decides to fire Jackson, look to this little soliloquy or rant or whatever you want to call it. Just look at it.
“What did I do to deserve this?” Jackson will inquire as Lacob informs him he is fired via text message, email, pink slip, barbershop quartet, post-it note on his desk, skywriting or face-to-face powwow.
“Sorry, Mark,” Joe will will say. “Explanations to decisions that may not make any sense or seem unfair are overrated.”
Look, we all know what Jackson hopefully meant. I can’t read the guy’s mind. I don’t know if these comments were taken out of context or something. I don’t even know what radio station and show he was speaking on. But when reading this aloud, it sounds like Jackson. This is something he would say.
And in theory, he’s right—about the sleep part. Can’t tell you how many overnighters I’ve pulled. A lot. I’ve lost track. In the early stage of my writing career, it happened all the time. And it’s not fun. You’re tired, sometimes angry. I used to get super hungry. I even fell asleep on my desk once.
Point is, even NBA coaches deserve sleep. Doesn’t matter how much money they make or how high the stakes are, we cannot berate someone who wants to enjoy one of life’s necessities.
Calling playoff preparation overrated is a different story. Even if Jackson meant differently, it comes off as pompous and ignorant and preachy. Don’t call it overrated. Say it’s overblown. Say that you have more than enough time during normal work hours to prepare what you need to prepare, to fix what you need to fix.
But don’t call it overrated, M-Jax. You’re asking for attention you should neither want nor need.
Worst of all, should things go bad, you’re making it too easy for the Warriors to dismiss you without regard for Stephen Curry’s feelings, sound reasoning or any common courtesy whatsoever.
Then again, maybe you won’t care.
All that crap is overrated, right?
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
