Mark Jackson, the dominant force who inspired the New York Knicks to a memorable 1994 NBA Finals, has been fired once again. The point guard, who commenced his accolade-decorated career with the Knicks in the 1987 NBA draft as the 18th overall first-round pick, transitioned to a broadcasting role after retiring as a player.
The news of the former 1998 NBA Rookie of the Year, dismissed by ESPN from his commentary duties in July, and recently let go by the Knicks with a plane ban, has sparked significant concerns.
Why did Knicks fire Mark Jackson?
Mark Jackson has been recently dismissed from his job at the Madison Square Garden as a commentator, by the New York Knicks. Andrew Marchand revealed the news saying, “MSG Network planned on having Jackson occasionally fill in for Clyde Frazier this season, but Knicks management, led by team president Leon Rose, put a kibosh on the arrangement in part due to an old quarrel with Jackson and an assistant coach, according to sources.”
He also disclosed the initial plan of the Knicks to see Jackson fill the Knicks legend Clyde Frazier’s role in the Madison Square Garden network this season, but with the recent developments, such a plan will likely not come to fruition.
Jackson’s dismissal, largely inspired by a pre-existing dispute with assistant coach Darren Erman, adds another dimension to the duo’s previously strained relationship. In their earlier association, Jackson, then the coach of the Warriors, had fired Erman from his role as an assistant coach.
While there is no official statement from either the Knicks body or Jackson, a spokesman of the MSG network hinted at the failure to work out something this season as Marchand reported. With the spokesman’s statement, fingers are crossed for the official statements by both the Knicks and Jackson.
Mark Jackson NBA career recap
Mark Jackson was a talented NBA star whose numerous achievements reflected his on-court prowess. Jackson, before his retirement in 2004. He played for 7 different teams in the league which included the Knicks (1987-1992 & 2001- 2002), Clippers (1992-1994), Pacers (1994-1996 & 1997-2000), Nuggets (1996-1997), Raptors (2000-2001), Jazz (2002-2003) and Rockets (2004).
Jackson’s average in his 17 seasons in the league was 9.6 points, 8.0 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game in 1,296 regular season matchups. Jackson’s on-court prowess earned him achievements like NBA All-Star in 1989, NBA Rookie in 1998, NBA assists leader in 1997, 2x First Team All-Big East in 1986 and 1987, among others.
Jackson who after retirement went into commentary duties with ESPN and ABC, alongside former coach Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Been, coached the Warriors from 2011 till 2014 when he was fired. With Jackson’s recent sacking by the Knicks, there are hopes for him who showed commitment all through his career, to bounce back stronger.
