Owner Lacob isn't panicking over slow start

In an interview with The Oakland Tribune, Warriors owner Joe Lacob admitted his club has not met expectations while first-year coach Mark Jackson has "had some growing pains."

That said, Lacob noted it's early and the Warriors are hardly the only team in the league struggling after the season's late start.

"How about the New York Knicks? They went out and got another big acquisition, but that doesn't seem to be working," Lacob observed before the Warriors went out and lost to the Thunder 120-109 on Friday night, falling to 6-12.

"The Celtics are off to a slow start. The Lakers are only 10-8... So I don't want to panic."

Lacob cited Jackson's inexperience as one reason for the slow start, but also one reason to believe the future looks brighter.

"I love Mark Jackson. I think he's an outstanding individual and an outstanding coach in the NBA," the boss assured.

"He's going to be an outstanding coach. He's learning. I think he's had some growing pains. I think he'd be first to admit it. He clearly has to adjust to certain things and learn.

"I think he's really done everything right, within the confines of the roster we've given him and the amount of preparation time he had."

Lacob didn't hide his disappointment in a team he still expects to make the playoffs, yet was unwilling to admit changes need to be made. He remains unconvinced breaking up the smallish backcourt of Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis must occur in order for the club to become a playoff contender.

"We'll take our blows and we'll just move on here, see if we can't rectify the situation and prove we were right," he said of his current roster. "If not, we'll admit we're wrong and move on."

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