Mark Jackson is back in ESPN's NBA booth via a new multiyear deal.
Jackson, who was axed as head coach of the Golden State Warriors following their seven-game, opening round series loss to the Los Angeles, is back on the analyst beat with Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy during the Eastern Conference Finals, which tip offs with the top-seeded Indiana Pacers hosting LeBron James's two-time defending champion Miami Heat on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (ET). The trio will work with sideline reporter Doris Burke through the NBA Finals on ABC.
Ironically, Jackson's ouster opened the door for TNT analyst Steve Kerr to take the Warriors head coaching vacancy. Kerr, who had been the putative front-runner to fill the New York Knicks' coaching vacancy, will complete his TNT work through the network's coverage of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and last year's Finalist, the San Antonio Spurs, which begins on May 19.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Mark back to ESPN and for him to reunite with Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy – a three-person booth that was very popular and successful for us for several years,” said John Wildhack, ESPN executive VP, production and programming. “Mark has an outstanding NBA mind, a tremendous on-air presence and he brings a wealth of knowledge both as a player and now as a head coach.”
