Andre Iguodala says former Warriors coach Mark Jackson was blacklisted for relgious
While religious freedom within the sporting landscape has dominated headlines with Israel Folau, NBA star Andre Iguodala has revealed how one of the premier basketball coaches in the US was blacklisted because of his christian beliefs.
The 2015 NBA Finals MVP told ESPN’s The Breakfast Club, former Warriors coach Mark Jackson hasn't picked up a job since his firing from the Warriors because his beliefs clash with others in the league.
Jackson hasn't coached in the NBA since 2014 with reports suggesting his strong christian views conflicted with Warriors officials and the NBA's ethos in a wider sense.
Jackson's views were particularly offensive to openly gay Warriors executive and NBA Hall of Famer Rick Welts. Welts is seen as a highly valued member of the franchise and the league and is described as the brains behind the NBA's All Star weekend.
Former Warriors coach Mark Jackson. Getty
Jackson was named head coach of Golden States Warriors in 2011, the first head coach hired by new owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber.
Jackson developed All Stars Steph Curry and Klay Thompson and in three seasons, went 121-109 leading the club to consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in over 20 years.
The following season after his axing, current Warriors head coach Steve Kerr guided the Warriors to their first NBA title in 40 years, on the way to creating a basketball dynasty.
Asked if he believed Jackson had been blacklisted by the league, Iguodala replied: “I do. Yes, absolutely.”
Coach Mark Jackson talks to Warriors star Steph Curry. Getty
“He was one of my favourite coaches of all time.
“It was like, come in, compete, play hard. He was going to put you in the best position to get the most money.”
Jackson's views on homosexuality also seemed to find its way to league offices after a shootaround in 2014. The first openly gay NBA player Jason Collins had just signed with the Brooklyn Nets. Collins had been without a job since he had come out a year before in a cover story for Sports Illustrated and the general mood around the league was supportive.
Reporters asked Jackson his opinion of several big men as possible additions to his squad and Collins' name came up.
Jackson, according to a source close to the team, responded: "Not in my locker room".
Recounting his time with Jackson, Iguodala said the coach, an ordained minister, offered church services to the players. The Warriors star revealed Jackson would conduct streaming church services on Wednesday night in the team facility in Oakland.
NBA's first openly gay player Jason Collins. Getty
“We had a team of believers,” he said. “We were going to church regardless.
“It would be around 7 o’clock at night,” he added. “There was nobody in there. But I feel like the politics, man — you know how it is. Once they want you out, they’re going to find something.”
The three-time NBA champion admitted the Warriors weren't on the same page with Jackson and his traditional beliefs.
“One particular issue was, from what I heard, his views on gender or marriage, or what the Bible said about your sexuality," Iguodala said.
He added that the clash with Welts was obvious and there was only going to be one winner.
“He (Welts) just went in the Hall of Fame,” Iguodala said.
“He was the brains behind All-Star weekend. He’s celebrated as one of the top execs in sports.”
“So there were conflicts with that,” he added. “It was widespread. Everyone was talking about that.”
Jackson remains close to the action and works as a TV analyst for ABC/ESPN.
