I understand he was a hypocrite, but can a coach have religious overtones and if he's a good leader it shouldn't matter one way or another. For example, Tony Dungy, who is one of the greatest NFL coaches, was highly religious, but was a great leader so it shouldn't matter. From what I understand, Mark Jackson was a mediocre coach and leader in general despite appealing to the religious members of team. Also it wouldn't be okay to ask them to praise "Allah" at every turn as that's insensitive. However from what it sounds like, he never forced him to take part in any prayers or teachings.
quoted text Mark Jackson's players say he doesn't force his beliefs on his players, and the togetherness that helped propel them to Game 7 against the Clippers was something that even their most ardent critics would have to acknowledge as real. Still, it's clearly not for everyone.
The one player who teammates said doesn't take part is center Andrew Bogut, whose disagreements with Jackson have gone public in the past. Bogut, who has not played in this series because of a fractured rib, declined an interview request for this story.
"Andrew respects it," said Warriors guard Klay Thompson, the son of former NBA player Mychal Thompson, who was raised in a Catholic household. "And we respect that (it's not for everyone). That's what I love about Coach Jackson is he doesn't force it on you. He doesn't force you to read scripture or anything like that. He'll just make references and respect your personal beliefs and your personal space, but he'll just drop some great knowledge on you."
Warriors forward Draymond Green, who is a Christian, said, "One thing about it is that we never shy away from making it known, because without (God) we are not who we are and we are not the team that we are and we all know that. We like to give him credit for what he's doing for this team."
Jackson has been a lightning rod on this topic, with his detractors alleging hypocrisy when it was revealed in 2012 that he was the victim of an extortion attempt related to an extra-marital affair that he had in 2006 with an ex-stripper. As he detailed in a statement at the time, he changed his ways soon after and began his ministry at the True Love Worship Center International in Van Nuys in 2009. Jackson, who keeps his home base in Southern California, occasionally gives the Sunday sermon during the season if the Warriors have a natural day off in their hectic schedule.
"I wasn't always who I am today," Jackson said. "I made mistakes, and I think (my players) respect the fact that I'm not trying to judge them. I'm just in the fire with them trying to make them better. I think (religion) is a sensitive subject, where I don't think people do it justice."