Marcus Thompson's post on Golden State Warriors | Latest updates on Sulia
#ForgotAboutThis Mark Jackson ends a Jarrett Jack/Steph Curry controversy before media can create it. Good stuff...
This exchange happened the day after the San Antonio Spurs. To be fair, all of the questioners were ... not Warriors regulars.
Q: Why do you want the ball in Jack’s hands?
"I didn’t say that."
Q: Why are you comfortable with the ball in Jack’s hand?
“The option of having Steph and Klay off the ball, the ability to use them in motion offense and jack is a guy that is comfortable handling the ball making plays. But I’m comfortable either way. In an ideal world, Steph is the guy with the ball in his hands. But I just think it's an extra added weapon because you have the ability to make plays and also facilitate with the ball in Jack’s hands."
Q: When you going to start Jack?
"That’s not gone happen."
Q: Why is it out of the question to start Jack?
"It's not even a question. I’ve got an outstanding small forward in Harrison Barnes who is doing an outstanding job. It may not show in a 30-and-10 box score. But it shows in setting the tone defensively, battling, competing, being a weapon. He’s my starting SF and he’s going to be in the starting lineup."
Q: When Jack is on the court, do you feel he’s an extension of you?
"Steph Curry is my point guard. Jarrett Jack is a guy that, in my opinion, is the six man of the year, gives us a great weapon off the bench. You can play him at either backcourt position. He’s a guy that’s tough. He’s been a great leader for us, a voice for us, and under-appreciated around this league."
Q: How does Jack handle the dynamic of playing behind/with Curry?
"He doesn’t have to because its not an issue. Steph Curry is my starting PG. Steph Curry will be in the game down the stretch. So it's not even a debate, an argument or an issue. Jarrett Jack’s opportunity will be alongside of Steph Curry, not playing instead of Steph Curry."
Q: Have you experienced a veteran back-up causing problems because he thinks he should start?
"What I will say is I’ve been in situations … I go from being rookie of the year to drafting Rod Strickland, a heck of a point guard, the very next year and we’re playing on the same team, beating each other up in practice. I’m sure there was frustration on both of our sides. We never got a chance to play together. It was frustrating. Its not ideal. I think the worst thing you can do is say, ‘This guy is playing well today, he’s going to finish. This guy is playing well tomorrow and he’s going to finish.’ No. I’ve got a guy. And my quarterback is Steph Curry. And that’s not going to change."