Who Needs a Point Guard Anyway?
Starting at PG, Stephen JacksonIn the middle of the day yesterday, a story titled “Warriors extend Nelson” popped up on the NBA news wires. I couldn’t believe it; they decided to give DeMarcus Nelson an extension already? Wow, he must be really good. Well, not so much. The Nelson they were referring to was Don, that guy who dresses like Steven Seagal on the Warriors’ bench and supposedly has beef with Al Harrington.
For all of the issues with Don’s decisions as of late – benching Baron Davis to end the ’07-08 season, signing off on a deal that sent multiple picks to New Jersey for a guy who saw as much time as Stephon Marbury last night, and pissing off Harrington to the point that he asked to be traded on the day of the season opener – Nellie deserves this extension. He proved so last night.
It’s not that he managed to cultivate a serviceable backup out of DeMarcus Nelson, because he didn’t. It’s that his brand of basketball is so unique that he was able to put four small forwards and a big man on the floor against a team that could legitimately win it all. And it worked, even if they lost 108-103.
But even more than Nellie, the Warrior who actually makes things happen on the hardwood is Stephen Jackson. For almost every second of the 48 minutes he played last night, he was the one D’ing up Chris Paul. His size bothered CP3 at times, but there’s no actually stopping Paul at this point.
And on offense, it felt like he was a taller version of Baron Davis at point. Even though he didn’t get the ball out in transition as much as Boom, he was destroyed Paul on the pick-and-roll in the half court offense. He and Al Harrington played the two-man game on one wing, setting up Al for a deep three. Two possessions later, he found Andris Biedrins slicing to the basket on a great bounce pass. A couple trips later he drove the paint and dished to the homeless guy who hangs out by Carl’s Steaks on Chambers Street, er, I mean, Ronny Turiaf.
Next thing you know, we’ll have Captain Jack on the cover of Dime standing next to CP3, Deron, Nash, Parker, and Davis as the “Best Point Guards in the West.” That is, as the Mercury News’ Tim Kawakami says, until they play Toronto and Jackson has to guard Chris Bosh.
If Robert Rowell doesn’t open up his wallet and given Stephen Jackson the extension that he said is coming “Soon, very soon” to Kawakami last night, then everyone who bought season tickets at ORACLE should be allowed to kick Rowell in the groin.
Source: Mercury News
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October 30th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Dee says:
I don’t know why people think that Demarcus Nelson can’t play just because he went to Duke people hate….He is ball player that can create.
I seen the game last night and I was actually surprised how well Captain Jack was playin at the lead guard spot…they won’t make the playoffs but they will make a lot of noise this season
October 30th, 2008 at 8:58 am
karizmatic says:
Well I was surprised GS hung with NO like that, but hey it’s true you don’t really need a point guard in Nellie’s system, in fact you don’t need any position, all you need is 5 guys between 6’9-6’11 who can play ball. His Ideal lineup is LBJ at point Joe Johnson at 2, Stephen Jackson at 3, Josh Smith at four, and Dirk Nowitski at 5 which is not a bad lineup but you get my point a bunch of swingmen and shooters who can run.
October 30th, 2008 at 9:00 am
control says:
Dime, you guys are fostering a love/hate relationship with me. You guys throw out some amazing smacks, then turn around and stroke SJack so bad that he has to change his roos (daily). Are one of you guys actually SJack or his publicist? What is up with this morning glory?
“we’ll have Captain Jack on the cover of Dime standing next to CP3, Deron, Nash, Parker, and Davis as the “Best Point Guards in the West.”” That quote right there is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever read. SJack isn’t fit to carry around CP3′s jock, let alone be on a cover with him.
Please get off this clown’s jock.
BTW, check out his rap video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0NYzfokrXE
October 30th, 2008 at 9:17 am
GEE....Just sing it right now! says:
Nellie always has a way(s) during the season. It’s the playoffs where he seems to go blank.
October 30th, 2008 at 9:52 am
calvin brodus says:
Control, that video is awesomely bad. Good for a laugh though. Smoke weed everyday!
October 30th, 2008 at 9:57 am
the_don_mega says:
@karizmatic…
now that’s a sick lineup… that’d be the ish!!!
October 30th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Andrew Katz says:
control,
I promise I was joking with that comment about him being one of the best point guards in the West. He’s not a PG – just check the title of the post. But at the same time, I wouldn’t say that “SJack isn’t fit to carry around CP3′s jock”. Paul is the best point guard in the League hands down, but Stephen Jackson played a great game against him last night.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Dagomar says:
Damn the Lakers are good. They’ll probably have the best record in the league. Top-2 player, one of the best combos of big men, a point off the bench who’s as good as the point starting, a ridiculously good sixth man, and the best bench in the NBA . . . shooters, rebounders . . . I don’t see too many flaws. And there’s a recent report that Lebron might be considering LA in 2010. Things are looking good for Lakers fans.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:12 am
control says:
Andrew
Thanks for the response. Can ya tell me why every time SJack sneezes, it’s reported on Dime? I’ve busted balls about it on every single post about him on Dime in the last few months (which is quite a few of them). Just not sure why this scrub gets reported on in depth so consistently. The guy just ain’t worth it.
He might have played a great game, but it’s only the first game of the season, give him a few weeks. He is one of few players in the league where you can say “he keeps both teams in the game, regardless of the score”.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Coop says:
But you can’t judge him on one game, especially not one that involves a team that doesn’t run a system (his) because the coach is too braindead to know what wins (in the post-season). I hate Don Nelson I hope Al goes Sprewell on him.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:21 am
smity far away says:
@ control
you a hater.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:24 am
yallallreadyknow says:
stephen jackson is on the wrong team. he actually needs to be on the hornets. they need an athletic 2-guard who can defend and hit the 3. he will give them some added toughness with david west and posey.
if not….then steven jackson should look to play for philly.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Andrew Katz says:
control,
Of course. I see where you’re coming from on the SJack love, and I’m definitely guilty of overlooking his dumb shot selection. But in this instance, I thought that he deserved some light after stepping in and hanging with CP3 last night when there was a glaring void in GSW’s backcourt.
But thanks for the comment – all good.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:32 am
control says:
smity
Yeah, I can’t really stand this ghetto smurf. If people are going to burn magazine space promoting a guy, might as well make it someone worthy of that time and attention. There are plenty of great guys in the NBA to mancrush, why pick some idiot who is only decent at basketball, a horrible teammate, and a piece of shit off the court?
October 30th, 2008 at 10:38 am
control says:
Andrew
I hear ya. Just hope you highlight the bad stuff (and there will be plenty) when it comes up
October 30th, 2008 at 10:44 am
smity far away says:
@ control
lol. everybody can’t be a duncan, or hill (grant, not tyrone- thank the world for that. imagine a bunch of tyrone hills running around in the league. talk about halloween…) or lebron. there have to be stephen jacksons and other dudes that make it in the world just cause they happen to play a sport well…thats how it is. and its a good thing that he has basketball to occupy his time (cause that means he won’t spend it causing or being involved in incidents outside strip clubs or whatever…but that was a minute ago too so maybe jackson is a decent dude now..) but for real, a bunch of tyrone hills in the league is a scary thought. camera men would have strict orders…
October 30th, 2008 at 11:16 am
LakeShow84 says:
I was impressed with Sjack last night.. Hes almost completely turned the corner..
October 30th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
sam says:
harrington +draft picks for marbury!
October 30th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
@ Control “HI HATER I SEE YOU.” What you got about reports on S-Jack his the best player on my team now that Mopeds hurt and Boom is gone. Knock him all you want but don’t forget this cat has a ring that he was a big part of earning!!!
October 30th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
control says:
Big Shot
I would probably say Al Harrington is better than SJack, with Andris Biedrins and Maggette probably being better as well. The guy is just a volume shooter, he only shoots like 40%. Guy only passes it after dribbling the air out of the ball, which usually ends up in having a teammate rush a shot because there’s only 2 seconds on the shot clock when he gets the ball. He will keep the other team in the game with his selfishness, and keep his team in the game when he gets hot.
The guy is a double edged sword, his style of basketball sucks. There are dozens of guys in the league who can give any team what he does, without the negative shit.
October 30th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Mac Dre says:
All you guys rippin on Captain Jack obviously aren’t warriors fans who have seen this guy play the last few years. Control- Al Harrington is better? You have got to be kidding me! Harrington is absolute garbage as was portrayed in the playoffs against Dallas a couple years ago. He’s one of the most overpriced players in the league. Let’s not forget that the Warriors started off 0-5 without Jack last year, then went on a hot streak when he returned. He’s the soul of the franchise, all you haters don’t know with the hell you’re talking about.
October 30th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
I know what your talking about as far as shot selection though Control…can’t argue that. Seems like every time Jack touches the ball he Jack’s. And he’s emotions are always way over the top.
He’s like that friend everyone has that you can’t take anywhere because you know he’s going to start a fight with someone or do something crazy. Leading to a “Oh shit here we go again Steve’s about to do something crazy.” “Calm down playa it’s not that serious.” LMFAO