Mark Jackson Refuses to Guarantee Playoffs Again for the Warriors


Going into his second season with the Golden State Warriors, Mark Jackson won’t be making the same rookie coaching mistake again, by guaranteeing a Playoff berth. Jackson, though, is optimistic about his team. Per the Mercury News: “Training camp opens next week, there are talented new Warriors players, big hopes, tickets to sell, and renewed signs of life. Hey, isn’t it time for Mark Jackson to promise a playoff berth this season? ‘No, I’m not going to say it,’ the Warriors coach shot back quickly and seriously as he sat in a team conference room Wednesday. ‘Not because I don’t believe it, but ultimately there comes a point where, enough of the talking, go out and do it.’ Maybe this is a signal that things are clarifying for Jackson, who opened his rookie coaching season by loudly and inaccurately claiming that the Warriors were set to make the postseason. […] But given the additions of Andrew Bogut, Harrison Barnes, Jarrett Jack and others, shouldn’t the Warriors be playoff-worthy this season? ‘I certainly hope so,’ Jackson said. ‘Certainly hope so.’ And that was the general theme of Jackson’s 55-minute pre-camp session with several local reporters: Everything is trending to the good, but not so good that the coach is ready to guarantee anything.”