Former NBA commentator Mark Jackson has yet again been in the headlines. It is because of an unexpected remark that he made during Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals. Jackson candidly spoke about Savannah James, the wife of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James.
The comments that he passed caused a stir in the NBA community as without the proper context, it took a different path. This incident resurfaced after the news of Jackson being fired by ESPN took the internet by storm. Despite having two remaining years in his contract, he was unexpectedly shown the exit door.
In case you’re wondering why Mark Jackson is trending after that video of Savannah James dropped pic.twitter.com/N9R7zKo7nb
— Rich (@UptownDC_Rich) August 28, 2021
During the broadcast, Jackson along with Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen discussed Savannah’s high school softball career. Van Gundy started the conversation by challenging Jackson’s ability to hit a ball from Savannah. She was well-known for her exceptional throwing abilities.
Van Gundy stated, “I don’t think Mark can put into play 1 out of 10 against Savannah because of her sinker”. To this, Jackson candidly replied, “I’m shocked you downplay Savannah. He said she’s All-City. And I’d hit that out of the park, no question with all due respect”. Jackson’s words instantly went viral, leading many fans to feel he was making an improper statement about Savannah.
Mark Jackson allegedly said he would hit Savannah out of the park
The absence of context around Jackson’s comments caused the misconception. He wasn’t making a sexual remark, but rather expressing his competitive spirit and confidence in his softball abilities. Jackson was essentially saying that, despite Savannah‘s pitching prowess, he was certain in his ability to connect with her pitch.
Furthermore, he drew a comparison to hitting a game-winning home run by saying “And I’d hit that out of the park.” This comment which was passed during a live broadcast added an intriguing layer to that season. While the intention behind it was different than what it was interpreted.
Remarkably, despite five years passing by since the comment was made, it continues to swirl around. Many users have continued to misinterpret Jackson’s remarks by taking them out of context. Thereby, creating a story that is far away from the actual truth. This further speaks volumes about how the community itself creates drama even out of simple situations.
The 2018 NBA Finals are marked in the book of history because of the dominance displayed by the Golden State Warriors. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that Mark Jackson’s statement regarding Savannah has remained one of the most talked-about moments of that season.