The topic of conversation whenever Mark Jackson calls Warriors games is the feeling of awkwardness Jackson must have, having been let go by the team last season due to front office and team differences, despite the team’s great record.
Many feel there’s little love between Jackson and the Warriors, so questions have been raised if he should’ve been replaced by ESPN from calling their games. Jackson revealed in an interview with SI that he has no problem separating personal feeling with doing his job:
“To me, it’s an assignment, and my job is to tell the story,” Jackson said. “To me, it’s easy. To me, it’s what I’m paid to do and what I’ve dreamt about doing from Day One. Sometimes people don’t like the stories, but it is what it is. I absolutely feel like no matter, if I’m calling a game between my brothers or my parents, the facts are the facts. The story dictates itself to me, and I relay the message to the viewers as well as I possibly can. That’s going to be my job whether it’s the Warriors or anybody else.
“I think the best thing going for guys like Jeff and I is when you look at a Warriors‑Houston series, any game that we call, both teams’ fan bases think that we’re being biased. So you get your people that think I’m against the Warriors, and then you get your people that think I’m rooting for the Houston Rockets. And I think at the end of the day, that’s what you’re looking for from people watching the game.”
He then continued,
“To me, I’m calling games between two teams,” he said. “I read articles that I shouldn’t be doing it. To me, it was laughable. I’m absolutely winning and having the time of my life calling games with incredible friends and incredible people and working for an incredible organization. So it’s been a blast for me. I’m excited about having the opportunity to be part of an incredible group to call a spectacular Finals.”
Jackson hasn’t come off at all bias while calling the games, mostly it’s social media egging on the apparent non-issue, by comparing Jackson to the jilted ex lover who can’t let go and move on. Jackson’s proven his professionalism while calling games and remains as entertaining as he’s always been, using his signature lines on big plays and not coming off hurt at all.
Seems pretty clear that Jackson’s moved on from the Warriors and has proven he’s able to do his job and disregard any personal strife with the organization.
H/T Geeks and Cleats
