Well it was a save ministers -- back at saint John's for -- parents seconds seventeen years in the NBA the rookie of the year all star a couple of years later. And he wound up number three all time on the NBA career. Assist list Friday before his first ever practice as an NBA head coach you've found a quiet place all by himself. And he called it Jeff Van Gundy Rick Pitino Louis haren is -- got and his wife I -- Mark Jackson about that earlier on the floor. Mark Jackson -- tonight's chronicle conversation. Well it was. Homer from either just -- out soon. Three people. -- -- was that have impacted my thoughts. Have guided me have helped me. Have had a tremendous. Played a tremendous role in my life and it was away from me to say thank you and then. To close out. Called my wife. Just to close out -- is an incredible woman. Sacrifices a mom has a wife and just a great moment a quiet moment for me just couldn't reach out. And show some people really made a lot -- of how much I appreciate. And get right to it and you've got precisely two weeks in two days sixty practices and it. Eight before the first pre season game so I'm curious -- decided not to have double sessions or go with a one the practice today what's your theory they're coached well first of all we getting guys first thing and then we go wound up increase into eleven. As a full play it's putting a tremendous demand on guys pass on the practice two a days when you have. 811 guys you know it's awfully tough but -- ultimately it's the same amount of time what eagle three and a half hours once on. But what you break up three and a half 1002 sessions so we felt like out Gaza working extremely hard. We got a lot accomplished and and I thought the best way to go it was a go one long one instead -- first day I know we're strictly defense but you had your putting some offense. The first weekend. Yes but not the first -- the first day it was all strictly defense. So much change in the culture of how important it is to be friends get stops. Take it very personal have -- on the defense grandma. The second they would say is that they began the instill -- but Alfredsson principles and also sold about sets but our identity identity is gonna be a defense of team we gotta win on defense when they were very -- well. And you watch the team obviously when you're here working for ESPN and ABC but it's different when you're you're watching it back over the offseason analyzing team and he said. Flat out this was not a very good defense and seeing the guys didn't buy into defense a year ago -- you get -- -- volume this year. Well I don't know who was -- I don't know there was held accountable I don't know what to me. You know obviously they wanted to be a high scoring series they wanted to be a team that was very presumably -- -- it's -- They were successful with that where you get from the Miami has let them know they've done nothing. One play all chipped in seventeen years 36 wins last year that they've done not. The way to win is a defensive a lot of defense event not just talk about it would be about it another like winning in this league and I got a bunch of guys is committed. Wanna be thought of dog saves Colts here and as a as a warrior and is an exciting time. You know I you you said dead during your playing career you always got to knock yourself that you were slow footed and your defense was pathetic but you played hard. But come back to your early years -- US Patrick you're going to Charles Oakley there. Jerome that they did it make up for all your -- you don't have that kind of anchor on this team so hot how do you play defense were as of right now. You don't have that great -- racer behind your your perimeter. Well really no excuse there where no excuse basketball team. The bottom line is don't look what's behind you. It's your buddies back as far as in my guys defended out of basketball this shouldn't be one on one. This to be one on plot he's received five jerseys and help position. Communicating we're high active hands and telling the guy with the basketball that this golf tips off tonight for -- -- -- score in this league guys who go to school. Gaza gonna have great nights in the really individually collectively -- consistently. We've got to be a very effective and efficient defense team. You know I -- you don't have that Hank -- that that may not be true you would try and I don't Tyson Chandler was a goal and the Andre Jordan the Clippers match the offer sheet and right now. You're -- Andris Biedrins and the one thing I I read that you said that if everybody kind of locks in on his free throwing. The last couple years just 25% which is miserable obviously for two years but you said free throwing for him he's overrated. What did you mean by that well. It's it's clearly overrated people jump and go crazy -- say the average closer to the bottom line is he's going to get to the line 23 times a night at bats. I really don't care. Make a mess because ultimately if he gets back to the guy that dominated the boards dominated the paint traders at the room. I don't care about those holders who have reports goals and extra points what he does decide deadly it's gonna help secure our defense event and B -- Don Nelson felt like he was a little squeamish with the ball even on pick and rolls because he did not want to get filed. He did not go to the line did you see any of that watching back to -- the last couple years. You know what I say to these guys I watched bill. But I I threw it out the window I don't care what he was 23 years ago I don't care what it was lasted. I clean the slate and I care what he was the first they can't this year. And so -- always been an assistant. Hardworking and dedicated. Transformed. Guy and I'm not -- out. He's a guy the flat out set I lost my confidence -- you know as an athlete when you lose that you're in a lot of trouble. How have you been able to reach this guy you the kind of coach that with him William put his arm around this guy and try to. Try to get his confidence back up on the kind of coats is gonna talk the guys I'm gonna ask -- -- -- how's -- going on what to tell them my doors open -- -- this latest play. I'm gonna tell him -- believe it -- I'm -- continue to be -- dialogue with them so we understands. What it takes to -- to play in this system and I believe it'll ultimately. I could've been -- got to play seventy years in this league. Talkative and a guy that played one year in this league. The difference was I had a coach in my first -- recruiting -- that believed in me gave me an opportunity to play. And it helped propel a seventeen year career what a difference just haven't somebody believe -- you means. How are you get ahead of the players I know you gonna have that tough love but will will you be a screamer at times with these guys -- on the screen. There's no sense discriminate greatest weapon a quote how's his playing time. You've got to find a way to get the job done are you going to be sickness -- beside me and ultimately I got a great group of guys. I feel -- -- a player's -- I feel like they understand that no senses screaming and yelling they know the game plan they know it's time to accomplish either you're in. While you're out what's your sideline -- with the officials eager to be quiet and sit there are you going to be up and downs talk about it on the I have no time to be. But Brandon raven and salt and -- will be communicating with these guys when they're wrong they're wrong just like about it about make a bad call brawl. Ultimately I'm gonna give the respect that they deserve and try to go win ball games put it there will be based on what we do as a team. Not based on the guys. Refereeing a game.