Curry is taking former coach Jackson’s comments in stride
OAKLAND — Not everyone views Stephen Curry as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, but the Warriors guard didn’t think he needed to convince his former coach.
Curry expressed surprise Friday that Mark Jackson, now a broadcaster for ESPN, endorsed Houston Rockets guard James Harden in an interview Thursday.
“It was surprising,” Curry said when asked if his feelings were hurt. “It didn’t really hurt my feelings because it’s not like he was actually casting a vote officially. But it was just very surprising.
“It’s his opinion, obviously. He’s probably been watching the league. People are going to ask what he thinks, especially (with) his ties to the Warriors organization and myself specifically. Surprised he said that, but it is what it is.”
The bond between Curry and Jackson goes beyond basketball. Last year, when Jackson’s Warriors future was in jeopardy, nobody was more outspoken in defense of the coach than Curry.
“Obviously, I wasn’t shy about trying to defend him last year when things were rumbling outside of our locker room,” said Curry, who then sought possible motivations for Jackson’s words.
“For him, it’s kind of a different situation. I don’t know if he was thinking it was going to be a big ‘homer’ kind of deal if he raves about myself, or if he wants to detach himself from the organization. But it’s just his opinion, and we’ll roll with it.”
Center Andrew Bogut, one of Jackson’s detractors on the team, poked fun at his former coach when asked about the topic after Golden State’s win over Phoenix on Thursday night.
“What’s-his-name said no,” Bogut said of Curry’s MVP qualifications.
Bogut suggested that Harden’s scoring stats are partly the result of playing heavier minutes than Curry.
“Usually, (Curry is) playing 28, 30 minutes and sitting. So our success kind of hurts him in a way,” Bogut said. “As opposed to other guys who are playing 40, 45 minutes and putting up big numbers. To us he’s the MVP, and hopefully he gets it.”
Harden averages 27.5 points in 36.9 minutes per game. Curry produces 23.8
points per game in 32.9 minutes.
Coach Steve Kerr, a former broadcaster, said he wasn’t alarmed by Jackson’s remarks.
“I was in the media for eight years. You give your opinion,” he said. “There’s always valid reasons for somebody like Mark or Charles (Barkley) or Kenny (Smith) or whoever. Those guys watch the games and see everything, and that makes valid arguments.
“But there’s valid arguments both ways. That’s just part of their job.”
Kerr confirmed that n forward Draymond Green, who sat out the past three games because of inflammation in his shin, will play Saturday at Dallas.
The Warriors’ magic n number to clinch homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs is one, meaning a Golden State victory or an Atlanta defeat Saturday does the trick. The Warriors own the tiebreaker over the Hawks because of a better record against the opposite conference.
Kerr has tied the NBA record for victories by a
rookie coach, matching the 62 wins achieved by Paul Westphal of Phoenix in 1992-93 and Tom Thibodeau of Chicago in 2010-11.
“Very flattering,” Kerr said. “I’m guessing most rookie coaches didn’t have the roster I have. It’s a pretty talented group.”
Curry said Kerr’s influence on the team’s success has been significant.
“There’s something to be said about his coaching job, not just being like a chaperon of a great team,” Curry said. “He’s done a great job of encouraging every single player individually to step up their game, pushing the right buttons, mixing the lineup to give us the best shot to win every single night.
“And we have fun around here. He keeps it light. Obviously it helps when you’re winning, but just his approach … on a personal level he wants us to succeed and play well but have fun doing it, and that shows on the court.”