‘There Would Be No Steph Curry; No Klay Thompson’: Isiah Thomas Credits Mark Jackson for Breathing Confidence into Ex Warriors Duo

Both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are celebrated for changing the way the game of basketball is played in the modern era. The Golden State Warriors dynasty was powered by their outer-worldly shooting prowess. But Mark Jackson, whose contribution is often overlooked, deserves due credit for transforming the Dubs duo into era-defining superstars, stated Isiah Thomas.

Zeke said that the former Warriors coach, who worked with the Splash Bros between 2011 to 2014, had taken them through a confidence building phase that played a pivotal role in transforming their careers.

“If Mark Jackson don’t let Steph shoot from the hashmark, don’t let Klay take bad shots and don’t pump them up and say ‘These are the greatest shooters ever,’ there would be no Steph, there would be no Klay,” said Thomas onThe Mark Jackson Show.

Thomas hailed Jackson for identifying the special talent hidden in both of them. The Pistons legend also called out current NBA coaches for taking credit for revolutionizing the ‘three ball’ without acknowledging Jackson’s part in it.

“I hope when he [Steph] goes into the Hall of Fame, he remembers you as the first person that gave him that type of confidence that he plays with today,” added Zeke.

Steph, of course, understood the important role the coach had played for him and the team. One of the reasons why he fought with the organization to try and save Jackson’s job.

Curry tried to keep Jackson around

Steph, during an appearance on The Old Man and The Three podcast in 2022, talked about the time when the Warriors were trying to get rid of Jackson as the head coach. This was toward the end of the 2013-2014 season.

By then, the coach had taken the Warriors to consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in 20 years. Despite that, he was fired as they wanted someone who could take them to the ultimate glory.

“The way he’s [Bob Myers] approached the job, the good decisions that he’s made and bringing Coach [Steve] Kerr in, which was a really tumultuous conversation, situation, because I was fighting it like hell… Not [fighting] against Steve. I didn’t want them to fire Mark for anything,” Curry had said.

Despite his attempts, Jackson was fired from the job and Steve Kerr took charge in 2014. The following year, the Warriors won a championship and set the foundation of the Dubs dynasty.