From Playoff Hopefuls to Title Contenders
By Greg Chin
May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson during a press conference before the game 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
2011-12: Hiring Mark Jackson
The Mark Jackson-Golden State Warriors relationship may have soured badly in the end, but Jackson’s role in turning around the Warriors’ franchise should not be forgotten. Taking over a young roster in 2011, Jackson had the unenviable task of moulding and guiding a talented group of players.
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No one expected much from the Warriors and Jackson, who was a former TV analyst in his first coaching stint.
Still, he surprised many in his first season, taking the Warriors to an 18-21 record in the middle of March, three games out of the final playoff spot in the West. What happened next was disastrous, as the Warriors only won five of their last 27 games. Many believed that the organization realized that making the playoffs was out of the equation, and thus, resorted to “tanking” for a higher lottery pick (they ended up with the seventh pick).
The season was notable for the trade that sent Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks. Ellis had been impressing that season, and even won the Western Conference Player of the Week award once. It was more surprising, considering Stephen Curry had missed a number of games due to an ankle injury. Still, the organization saw enough in Curry and Klay Thompson (whom they had drafted that season) to believe that they could lead the team moving forward.
The trade brought in Andrew Bogut, and ended the Warriors’ search for a big man.
Next: The Change-Up