Mark Jackson says Warriors ‘narrative’ has kept him from second coaching chance, but it’s a lot more than that

Jackson specifically refuted the perception that his religious beliefs or practices were ever forced upon anyone

Mark Jackson has not coached in the NBA since the Golden State Warriors fired him after the 2013-14 season. On the surface, you could argue that’s surprising. Typically, a coach whose three-year tenure coincided with a long-pitiful franchise turning into a 50-win playoff team, who helped lay the defensive foundation upon which a dynasty was built, would be a hot commodity. But Jackson’s Golden State run isn’t remembered for the things he did right. It’s remembered for the things he did wrong.

Over the years, the perception that Jackson couldn’t get along with ownership or anyone in the Golden State front office, that he manipulatively corrupted his locker room, and that as an ordained minister, he forced his religious beliefs into places where they perhaps didn’t always fit has taken a stronghold around the league.

Speaking on Rich Kleiman’s “Boardroom: Out of Office” podcast, Jackson said he believes the “narrative” around his Warriors’ tenure has, to this point, cost him the second coaching shot he’s still looking for. Jackson specifically addressed the assertion that his religious beliefs and practices were forced upon his players.

“When you make a statement and say I force folks to come to church — are you kidding me? What sense does that make?” Jackson said. “Never in my life have I forced people to go to church.”

“… First of all, Steph Curry believes if he goes to God in prayer, he will be healed from his ankle issues,” Jackson continued. “Steph Curry himself believes that. So therefore if it did happen, or if it didn’t happen, at the end of the day, he’s healed. And I thank God that he’s healed and he went on to become one of the truly great players in this game, a superstar and a class act.”

In Marcus Thompson’s 2017 book — Golden: The Miraculous rise of Stephen Curry — it was asserted that Jackson once asked Curry to take part in something of a spiritual healing ceremony in his church. From Thompson:

A part of the tradition at Jackson’s church was a spirited service including worshippers jogging along the walls of the congregation in praise. Curry, two days removed from his latest sprain, found himself taking laps with Jackson and the other members filled with the spirit. Then after Jackson’s sermon, his wife and co-pastor, Desiree, continued the worship with an impromptu sermon and benediction. She also called Curry to the altar.

They took off his shoes and socks, anointed his ankle with oil and prayed for healing. The parishioners lifted their voices in chants and amens, calling on God to bless one of His Christian ambassadors. Service at Jackson’s church was much more passionate and engaging than Curry was used to back in Charlotte. But he humbly accepted the blessing that was being offered and returned to his seat with a smile on his face.

“Where you going?” Desiree asked the star point guard in front of the congregation. Curry responded with his go-to look of bewilderment, a half smile and widened eyes. He thought he was supposed to return back among the flock when she was done.

“You don’t get a blessing from the Lord and just walk off!” she shouted. “Show us you believe in the power of God.”

It took Curry a second to understand what she meant. Then the old Bible stories rushed to his mind. Like when Jesus healed the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda, that man had to pick up his mat and walk. If he believed he was healed, he needed to show it.

So Curry started shimmying and hopping on his right foot, much to the delight of the congregation.

“I didn’t know what else to do,” Curry said.

You’ll notice, contrary to Jackson’s defense, that there is no mention of Curry, or any of Jackson’s players, being forced to go to church. It is widely known that Curry has long been a man of faith. A large contingent of that Warriors team was rooted in common religious beliefs, something that surely served as a connecting point with Jackson, who is far from the only deeply religious coach to ever patrol an NBA sideline.