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Mark Jackson calls out the haters after Game 1 victory

Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Reuters

Speaking ahead of the Golden State Warriors' 109-105 road win in Game 1 of their first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, head coach Mark Jackson said that if he worked for ESPN, he'd pick the Clippers to win this series.

It was a humble way of acknowledging the underdog status that has been pinned on the Warriors going into the playoffs. But following the win, Jackson's tone towards the underdog label changed considerably.

In his post-game press conference, the head coach took aim at all those who have criticized him and his players throughout the season, reminding the world that he knows what the Warriors are capable of accomplishing.

"When you look at the make-up of this team individually and collectively, they're fighters," Jackson said. "Top to bottom we've got a bunch of guys that survey says, we're not supposed to be here.

"I'm not supposed to be coaching, got no experience. Steph Curry's supposed to be, you know, retired because of his ankle. David Lee was a loser. Jermaine O'Neal's supposed to be finished. Harrison Barnes dropped in the draft. Klay Thompson, how can he be sitting with that talent at No. 11 in the draft?"

We're not sure who called Lee a "loser," but that person might want to retract their comments after the Florida product's 20-point-and-13-rebound performance on Saturday.

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