Episode 29: Mark Jackson. Rich catches up with his childhood hero Mark Jackson. They talk his 17-year career, his leadership qualities and talk openly on him not getting another shot at coaching in the NBA after the Warriors.

Mark Jackson is one of television’s best NBA analysts, calling multiple finals for ESPN and ABC, alongside his good friend and former coach, Jeff Van Gundy. A native of New York City, Jackson was a star at St Johns before being selected in the 1st round by the New York Knicks. A 1988 NBA rookie of the year and an All-Star, the elite point guard led several NBA title contenders during a 17-year NBA career. He’s the NBA’s 4th all-time assists leader, ranked right behind Steve Nash, and right ahead of Magic Johnson. Jackson talks to Rich and Gianni about his pride in building a winning foundation as coach of the Golden State Warriors from ’11-’14; his feelings about getting fired by the Warriors before the team went on to win multiple championships; whether he believes there remains an unflattering narrative that’s kept him from getting hired again; and how his father’s example inspired his leadership qualities, resilience and deep faith.