Photo. Eriberto OriolThe Warriors visit the Mavs tonight and as expected, there’s some hype leading up to the game about how this is a re-match of that unbelievable playoff series between the two teams last year. The Mavs won the first time these two played earlier this season, but they beat a very different Warriors squad than the one that is visiting Big D tonight. The biggest difference? Stephen Jackson.
We’ve documented in this space before the influence that Jackson has on his Warriors team and today’s Fort Worth Star-Telegram gives their own spin:
Still, Jackson’s aware that his troublemaker past could muddy his chances of a first All-Star appearance.
“That’s capable of happening, but so be it,” Jackson said. “I never played this game to be an All-Star. I always played for my teammates and for my organization and to win games.”
He’s a major reason why the Warriors are doing just that.
ACTION JACKSON
Stephen Jackson is having a career season, averaging 21.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.8 assist per game, and is one of the reasons why Golden State is sitting pretty in the Western Conference at 19-13. Here’s the book on one of the NBA’s most intriguing figures:
He’s fearless.
Jackson isn’t afraid of crunch time, physical play or hitting big shots when the game is on the line. That’s why Don Nelson made him a team captain.
He can defend.
At 6-8, 218 pounds, Jackson’s strength, athletic ability and attitude make him a versatile defender who can handle point guards and power forwards.
He isn’t bashful.The eighth-year player can shoot it from 3-point land, drive or post up. He’s averaging 18 shots per game, and you can bet Nelson doesn’t mind.
He’s always ready to play.
Jackson ranks sixth in the league in minutes per game at 40 and has a motor that just doesn’t quit.
He doesn’t always make the best decisions.We’re limiting this one to on-the-court activities. He commits a lot of turnovers (3.12 per game) and sometimes doesn’t make the best use of possessions or utilize the shot clock.
His influence is undeniable. But does that equate to an All-Star selection? Jackson’s up against it in the West, having to fight for a space on the ballot that includes guys like Kobe, Baron Davis, Manu, A.I., T-Mac, Steve Nash, Tony Parker and Deron Williams.
To read the full article, go HERE.
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January 2nd, 2008 at 10:57 am
control says:
NO NO NO.
This guy isn’t an All Star, not even close.
Manu is almost more of an All Star than this clown, and Manu is nothing than a decent role player with an insanely rabid fan base.
Does SJack work for Dime, there seems to be alot of pieces that highlight him, and try to portray him as something other than some goon who can Jack shots (him being a goon has nothing to do with him being black, YOUNGFED).
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:09 am
Eric says:
First, Baron will receive an all-star bid before Jack and you know GS won’t have two. I’m a big Jack fan but the off court stuff will weigh too heavily. On the court, yes, he’s ballin’.
Additionally how can you not mention Chris Paul in that group above. The hornets are not only a top team in the league, but the all-star game is in NO so CP3 will be a hometown fav as well as sick stats: 21ppg 10 apg 4 rpg and over 2spg. Boy is amazing.
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:09 am
Captain America says:
Yes, make it so
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:23 am
Myrie says:
He has no chance. Not because he doesn’t deserve it, but because his comp is just better than him.
Chris Paul is gonna make it. Brandon Roy has a legit shot (but you know they’ll throw him into the rooks/soph game instead).
Stephen Jackson has balled; but not well enough to be an allstar.
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:35 am
Soopa says:
I really like Cpt. Jack.
I like when players (people in generel) are who they are and not who the media wants them to be.
His decision making both on and off the court can be highly questioned, but that only makes him more human then some of the other ideal NBA players. I mean who havnt F&/%# up at some point? I know shotting a gun outside a stripclub while getting run over by a car, fighting in the stands with fans is abit extreme, but still he is who is.
If he is an all-star or not is tough to say. If the all-stars were chosen by how important they are to their team? He’d be a lock.
The thing he has going for him is that he plays on a team which plays a very fun to watch and exciting type of basketball which also compliments his own style. He also plays for a coach who doesntmind or atleast is okay with his lack of good desicion making.
I dont think, as the prevoius poster confirms, that he is appreciated by the public. He is looked upon as a thug from what i hear and read. And judging by the competition, im not sure i think he deserves a spot on the all-star team.
To end this lengthy post, i love dime for spot lighting players like S-Jack. Theres a millon other players to go if you want to hear Tim Duncan being praised for his citizanchip and all round stella behavior.
But the fact is that theres players like Jackson, who forfills a role on a NBA team and does it extremely well, but has made to bad desicions during his career.
We have to love S-Jack for what he is and not what hes not. Just like we love a Ford Mustang, but we’d all trade it for a Ferrari.
(Im from Denmark, so theres some grammatic errors etc, so im going to say sorry in advance hehe)
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Phil B says:
B-ROY!
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Sushi says:
Ok, I have got to say this, I don’t even think this idiot should be in the league! Yes, he can play at an All-Star clip, but he’s made WAY to many just idiotic choices. The Malice at the Palace where he just started wailing on people? (yes, I went there) The incident where he popped of rounds outside a strip club? Yes, he got hit, but seriously. It guys like this that give the entire league image issues. Get him out!
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:58 pm
doc says:
id want him on my team. He ridin for sure.
January 2nd, 2008 at 7:32 pm
K-Dizzle says:
Sushi
let the past go, what? folks can’t change?. The issue was should he be an all-star this season? Yes, he should be. The team is winning, his numbers are legit…..but will he? No. If he was in the east, then no doubt, but out west 5 guards make it and S-Jack don’t get above
Baron, Kobe, CP3, AI, Nash, B-Roy, D-Will. He’s in the mix with Manu, T-Mac, Parker tho cuz those guys have missed enough games to give him a chance.
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Dave says:
Because of the off-court issues, SJack will probably never get the respect from the sports media that he deserves for his overall game. Of course, the players know what time it is. The guy definitely has All-Star talent and plays at an All-Star level. As has already been mentioned, I’d take him on my team in a minute, with no regrets.
At this point, his rep is so bad in the media that it doesn’t accurately reflect either the person or the player. I give Don Nelson credit for making him a captain.
So, no he won’t be an All-Star, but should receive more serious consideration than he does.
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
kowtz says:
NO DOUBT YES!
in rucker park…
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Sushi says:
K-Dizzle, you’re right. I should let it go, but everytime I do, he does something else. And, if you would’ve read my post carefully, I acknowledged that he has been putting up numbers with the best this year. I just think that he got really lite and should’ve gotten a stiffer penelty then he did. If he keeps going the way he is, he’ll turn me around. Until then, I don’t wanna see him in the All-Star game. My opinion.
January 3rd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
kevin says:
are any of u perfect??? u are not a man if u look at anotha man a judge him by his mistakes. if u wanna look for faults look at yourself an what yourself is doin. wit that bein said brotha can ball an is killin. yes he should be an all star. specially if he keeps his strong play up.
January 3rd, 2008 at 7:51 pm
kevin says:
an jackson is a 3 not a 2.