Dear Stephen A. Smith: A Response to an Incorrect Analyst

Stephen A. Smith argued that Mark Jackson deserves more credit than Steve Kerr and Luke Walton for the Warriors’ success. He is wrong. Here’s why.

Stephen A. Smith, known for his loud, controversial analysis, is one of the sports world’s most high-profile personalities.

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In his short time as the interim head coach, Walton has had to adjust to playing without key players like Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, and Andrew Bogut who have all missed time to injury. He’s tinkered with lineups, utilizing the end-of-bench players like Brandon Rush and Ian Clark to much success. And during the times when the game hung in the balance, waiting to be won by the team that executes down the stretch, Walton coached the Warriors to victories. He, very clearly, out-dueled Los Angeles Clippers coach Glenn Rivers in Golden State’s thrilling comeback victory in Staples Center.

So when Smith went on the air and discredited Walton and, by extension, Kerr, it was rather surprising. Smith yelled, “It is amazing to me how everybody is sitting there jockeying for position to give credit to Luke Walton and Steve Kerr when I could make a legitimate argument that neither of them deserve the credit that Mark Jackson deserves for the job that he did, prior to all this stuff being what it is.” Afterwards, he condescendingly asks, “Do y’all know anything about basketball? Do you have any knowledge about basketball?”

Unfortunately for Smith (and my ears), his argument, while amusing with every decibel increase, is invalid.

May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors coach

Mark Jackson

(right) and forward

Draymond Green

(23) against the Los Angeles Clippers in game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

First of all, it’s important to acknowledge Jackson’s value to the team. As Smith pointed out, he inherited a team that wasn’t very good. He took over a team that didn’t know how to win, but had some talent in Curry, Thompson, and David Lee. Jackson’s first year as a head coach on any level was a shortened one and the Warriors, understandably, did not compete, finishing with a record of 23-43.

Over the next two years, the Warriors would clinch consecutive playoff-berths. In the first one, the Warriors shocked many, finishing with 47 wins and earning the sixth-seed. They upset the Denver Nuggets and fell in six games to the San Antonio Spurs. In the second postseason, Golden State were bested by the Los Angeles Clippers in a thrilling seven game series. The team’s defense first mentality was clear. Jackson entrusted Curry and Lee with the offense, making something out of nothing.

What the Warriors are now is something that they never would have even come close to under Mark Jackson

Jackson and his assistants did help the young Warriors core grow. Defensively, he established a solid foundation. Curry developed into an up-and-coming star under him as the Monta Ellis trade gave Curry the freedom to run his own team. Jackson’s background as a pastor and spiritual leader allowed him to connect with his young players like Curry and Green thus allowing the team to build valuable chemistry. He took a team that didn’t know how to win and, by trusting his stars individual talents, he gave them a taste of success. He deserves credit for that.

But that’s where it ends. What the Warriors are now is something that they never would have even come close to under Mark Jackson. Smith discrediting the achievements of the current team is unfair because his perception of Jackson is incorrect. He is not the coach that Smith believes he is. He is flawed, to say the least, both on and off the court. His “us against the world” mentality may have inspired a young team, but ultimately proved to be destructive.

Smith’s argument in favor of the former coach is both misguided and factually inaccurate. He claimed that Warriors’ executive Jerry West wanted to get rid of certain important players that Jackson ultimately overruled. Unless Smith has some insider information, he’s wrong. In the offseason leading up to Kerr’s first year, the Warriors were linked to Kevin Love. In order to acquire the All-Star forward, the Warriors would have had to give up Klay Thompson and possibly Harrison Barnes. It was Kerr and West who stepped in and said no.

During his time as the head coach, Jackson alienated everyone around him. He wouldn’t allow beloved, long-time broadcaster Jim Barnett and the legendary West to attend practices. He even tried to turn the team against an injured Ezeli. He mocked Bogut’s injuries. He couldn’t get along with his assistants. Who wants to work with someone like that?

So, Mr. Smith, do you know anything about basketball?

Because if we’re going to talk strictly basketball, Jackson was lacking in that too. His offense was mediocre, even laughable at times. It was stagnant and stubborn. It relied on isolation plays. It is as clear now as it was then that the Warriors have too much talent for them not to have been a dominant offensive team.

He did not put players in positions to succeed. After a promising rookie season with the starting unit, Barnes struggled to find his way in his sophomore year as he came off the bench. He was looked to isolate, often times in the post, to carry the offensive load for the second unit. Green, who has blossomed to a potential top-10 player, was used incorrectly. He played him primarily as a backup small forward who wasn’t involved in any offense. Jackson played Curry and Green together just 13.7 minutes per game in his last season compared to 30.8 minutes this season for one of the NBA’s most effective duos. His rotations were completely abysmal and his sets–if you can call them that–were not good enough to compete for a title.

Coaching an NBA team is very difficult. And while Kerr built something that worked last year, it’s Walton that has continued to run it and react accordingly to any obstacles. He’s made sure that the defending champs don’t take their foot off the pedal. I’m sure we all remember the times we’ve had substitute teachers where we acted out because the actual teacher wasn’t there to enforce anything. Walton has earned the respect and trust of the league’s most hunted team.

Smith claims that the Warriors don’t need any coaching which is an ignorant statement. For as talented as Michael Jordan‘s Chicago Bulls were, they needed Phil Jackson. The Spurs need Gregg Popovich. Walton’s in-game adjustments have been fantastic, allowing the Warriors’ plethora of talent to do what they do best.

Curry is a talent unlike anything anyone has seen in the NBA before. Smith suggests that Curry’s success is a solely dependent on his own abilities. It’s no coincidence Curry elevated his play to MVP-level as soon as Kerr came around. The implementation of an actual system has allowed Curry to thrive just like every other great player/coach tandem. And, unlike in Jackson’s system, the point guard is being held accountable, as he is forced to defend his own position. He’s put Curry in situations where he can grow and succeed, allowing him to showcase his abilities.

May 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach

Steve Kerr

shakes hands with guard

Stephen Curry

before Curry receives MVP award at the Oakland Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Lastly, Smith turns this argument into one about race. He suggests that the Warriors’ success is creating a buzz and opening eyes for Walton’s future head coaching prospects while Jackson has not gotten any calls because of the color of their skin. Admittedly, there aren’t many black coaches in the league right now. But to say that’s the reason Jackson isn’t on the sidelines somewhere is absolutely inaccurate. He doesn’t promote a cohesive, organization-wide unity. He doesn’t improve offenses, which was the biggest problem for the Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the two teams he complained, unfairly, hired other coaches.

I respect Stephen A. Smith’s passion. I admire his loyalty, promoting and supporting colleague and friend Mark Jackson. But he’s just wrong here. Jackson has received all the credit he’s owed in helping build a foundation. But the Warriors are where they are because of Kerr and now Walton, creating positive atmospheres and pushing their players to be great.

The Warriors, over the last two years, have become played some of the best basketball that the league has ever seen. Curry, Thompson, and Green are at the forefront of an NBA revolution. Barnes and Andre Iguodala have found roles that suit them. Bogut and Ezeli form a fearsome center tandem. Steve Kerr’s Golden State Warriors are changing the game of basketball with Jackson nowhere in sight.

So Mr. Smith, before you accuse someone of not knowing anything about basketball, please review the facts. And give credit where credit is due.

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