Mark Jackson is among the finalists for the vacant Sacramento Kings head coaching job, and by the looks of it, he is serious about making his NBA comeback.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Jackson catapulted himself as one of the favorites to land the position after he did really well in the initial interview process with the Kings' ownership. He hasn't coached in the league since the Golden State Warriors fired him eight seasons ago.
Per Stein:
ESPN’s Jackson is said to have impressed Kings owner Vivek Ranadive in the interview process to date and would appear to have his best shot at a return to an NBA bench since Golden State fired him after the 2013-14 season.
Another factor that has worked well for Mark Jackson in his bid to get the Kings job is his defensive acumen. As Steve Kerr said before, it was the veteran tactician that has helped transform the Warriors into a “great defensive team.”
That kind of coach is exactly what the Kings need as they look to improve their horrible defense that has ranked at the bottom of the league in the past two seasons.
“Mike D’Antoni’s inability to advance past the first round of interviews, coupled with the fact that all three finalists (Jackson, Brown and Clifford) are known for their fondness for defense, suggest that the Kings feel an acute need to prioritize the D after placing 30th and 27th in defensive efficiency over the past two seasons and extending the league’s longest playoff drought to a record 16 seasons in a row,” Stein furthered.
The Kings have not made the playoffs since the 2005-06 season, so they really need to get their coaching hire right this time if they want to end that drought as soon as possible. Jackson could be the coach to do that given his history of developing teams.
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