Kevin Durant Looks Energetic In Return To NBA Since Injury

FOX Sports NBA contributor Yaron Weitzman lists his top 5 most pivotal players for the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season and explains why Ben Simmons makes the list.

Mark Jackson and Shannon Sharpe discuss professional athletes who aren’t at the peak of their sport, but can still play. ‘I tell people all the time: every professional athlete has the ability to make every other professional athlete in that sport look foolish. respect everyone,’ says Shannon.

Mark Jackson pays tribute to his late brother, Troy ‘Escalade’ Jackson, member of the AND1 Mixtape tour who died at a young age.

Mark Jackson and Shannon Sharpe dicuss today’s NBA: ‘Today’s players are more athletic and skilled and more versatile, the one thing they are not is not as smart.’

Mark Jackson remembers playing the Los Angeles Lakers the night Magic Johnson announced he tested positive for HIV. ‘I’m sitting in my hotel room looking at the ceiling and my head is gone, we play the Lakers tonight and Magic just gave an announcement. Back then we thought it was a death sentence, so I’m shattered as a kid.’

Mark Jackson addresses why he isn’t currently an NBA head coach. He explains that Steve Kerr, who inherited his team (Golden State Warriors), is the one guy who truly knows whether Mark Jackson is a good NBA coach.

Mark Jackson tells Shannon Sharpe that Michael Jordan would average 40 a night in today’s NBA. ‘Michael Jordan would average whatever he’d want to average. He could get 40 a night. I’m here telling you as a witness, he would average 40 a night.’

Mark Jackson talks to Shannon Sharpe about player empowerment in the NBA. ‘LeBron James changed the game and doesn’t get enough credit for that. He allowed guys to realize the power they have. I was on a team where the best player, Patrick Ewing, didn’t realize the power that he had.’

Mark Jackson talks to Shannon Sharpe about the future faces of the NBA. ‘Luka Dončić is the real deal. When you look at what he’s been able to do early in his career, he’s go it. He should be on the NBA’s Top 75 list.’

Mark Jackson tells Shannon Sharpe that the Indiana Pacers should’ve beaten the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2000 NBA Finals. ‘We should’ve won. We lost Game 4 in OT. Shaq fouled out and the late great Kobe Bryant takes over the game. We did everything we could, we had the depth and versatility.

Mark Jackson tells Shannon Sharpe that Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant were the toughest to guard and they are the only ones who would take their last breathe on the court to get a win. ‘Mike and Kobe just thought ‘attack’ every single moment on the floor. The mentality and the way they wear you down with their approach was like none other.’

Mark Jackson tells Shannon Sharpe he once played with Russell Westbrook at Kobe Bryant’s camp and how he will fit in with the Los Angeles Lakers. ‘We take Russ’ greatness for granted. I’ve played with Russ, he’s a legit point guard. He will fit in with the Lakers because he’s an elite talent and 1st ballot HOF.’