Warriors co-owner says Mark Jackson was fired for not getting along with people

The Golden State Warriors have started out this season red hot at 16-2. They have a legitimate candidate for NBA MVP in Stephen Curry, and look like they’ll finally make it out of the first round of the playoffs this season.

Many thought this season would be rocky with the Steve Kerr coming in and replacing Mark Jackson – who was said to be a favorite among the players but not so much among the team execs. During a recent public appearance, Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob opened up about some of the reasons why the team decided to fire Jackson.

“Part of it was that (Jackson) couldn’t get along with anybody else in the organization,” Lacob said, via Diamond Leung of The Oakland Tribune. “And look, he did a great job, and I’ll always compliment him in many respects, but you can’t have 200 people in the organization not like you.”

Lacob also said that Jackson’s inability to assemble a competent staff of assistants whom get could get along with was another reason for his dismissal.

“Right now, (Kerr) looks great,” Lacob said. “I think he will be great. And he did the one big thing that I wanted more than anything else from Mark Jackson he just wouldn’t do, in all honesty, which is hire the very best.

“Carte blanche. Take my wallet. Do whatever it is to get the best assistants there are in the world. Period. End of story. Don’t want to hear it. And (Jackson’s) answer … was, ‘Well, I have the best staff.’ No you don’t. And so with Steve, very, very different.”

There you have it. “Company Culture” can be extremely important. Even if you’re performing well, or excelling in your role, if people don’t like you, it’s a wrap. I was always told to find an ally early in a corporate world. Someone who will let the rest know about the amazing job you’re doing, or have your back if your role is being challenged.