[ESPN] Jackson says he will 'do my job'

If I was Nelson I would let him ride the bus for a while but as soon as I got to the nearest rest stop I would leave him. How an NBA player making that kind of money can act like such a b**ch is beyond me. The NBA ought to have rules of conduct that are more prohibitive than losing a couple of days pay, there should be quadruple or more fines, maybe the players would get the message then.

 

"I felt like I didn't get handled right in the game," Jackson said Monday. "I know I did what I'm supposed to do being a man. I'm not going to let Kobe throw elbows at me.

"[Things are] always made out to make me look bad. At the end of the day, I wouldn't disrespect [Nelson] like that. But I was mad at our staff for not having my back. If I'm going to go out there and bust my ass for you, I expect you to have my back."
Interesting.

 

Jackson Gives Up Warriors' Captaincy

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Stephen Jackson told Warriors general manager Larry Riley and coach Don Nelson in a private meeting on Tuesday that he didn't want to be a captain anymore. They said that was fine with them.

That's the first piece of fallout to come out of Jackson's two-game suspension for conduct detrimental. But judging by Jackson's tone during a 10-minute interview, it might not be the last.

Jackson once again made it clear he's not happy in Golden State, but continued to maintain he'll play hard as long as he's a Warrior. But it seems obvious that will be a significant challenge.

When asked about the meeting, which occurred before the team's noon practice, Jackson said: "It was a meeting, no different than any other meeting I've had. I go in there, listen to what they've got to say and come back and play basketball. Whether I pay attention to it or not, that's up to me. But I had to show up. So I showed up."

Jackson indicated that he didn't think Nelson supported him on Friday night, when he was picking up five fouls and a technical foul in less than 10 minutes of a preseason game against the Lakers, and more specifically Kobe Bryant.

"If I would have felt that way (like he had Nelson's support), I wouldn't have blown up," Jackson said.

Jackson also made it clear that he didn't walk off the floor on Friday night. He said Nelson sent him to the locker room.

As for giving up his captaincy, Jackson said: "That's just the way I feel. That's just the way I feel. Don't try to dig into it. That's just the way I feel."

Later Jackson said being a captain was "overrated."

Jackson said his relationship with Nelson has changed. As recently as a couple of weeks ago, Nelson said he "loved" Jackson and that he understood him.

"Of course (it's changed), anytime someone takes hundred some thousand, $150,000 from you, of course it's going to change," Jackson said. "Regardless of who it is. If my mom took some money from me, I'd still love her to death but I'd be upset about it. And he's not my mom so you can imagine how I feel.

"I've just have to listen. I have to give him that respect ... to listen to him when he's coaching. So I'm going to give him that. But as far as being a man off the court I don't listen. I've got to listen to him on the court and that's it. I'm going to give him that respect."

When Jackson was asked if he thought there would be more issues down the line with Nelson and the Warriors, he responded: "I don't know. We'll have to wait and see. I can't predict the future."

Nelson, who spoke to the media before Jackson did, opened his comments this way:

"The prodigal son has returned. It's good to have Jack back. We're going to keep him in the same position as far as my starting three is concerned. We met this morning. What went on in the meeting will remain private, in house. He served his suspension and we're ready to roll."

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/jackson-gives-up-warriors-captaincy

 

I don't understand why people want this guy on the Rockets. He's a cancer. It's apparent from his comments that he doesn't feel like he needs to work for all that money they're paying him. And, though he wants to be traded, he doesn't seem to understand that he is submarining his chances of getting traded with the comments he makes. Who is going to want to give up a chip and take on the salary burden for a guy who is not committed to helping the franchise, doesn't want to take on a leadership role, throws tantrums when he doesn't get his way, and then blames all the trouble he's created on other people?

 

Really? I thought that was the opposite of what he was saying. I thought he tried pretty hard to make it clear that he was going to do his job and play. And, I think the purpose of these players demanding a trade is to FORCE their way out. When you say you don't want to be somewhere it makes your trade value plummet to pennies on the dollar, more teams are willing to give up "pennies". It actually increases his chances of getting traded when usually the Warriors would only trade him in a situation where they got decent value.

As for wanting him on my team, the guy is crazy but if a team has solid veteran leadership they can contain crazy. You get a guy like him for talent. There are plenty of teams that have won championships with "cancers" on their squad.

 

Sometimes we got to make gambles in life, even on nutcases like Jackson. The guy can ball pretty damn well and we contained Artest pretty well. I do agree though that he is being a little girl (like most NBA players) and should just play. Despite being basketball, that is his job and he needs to shut up and do what he is paid to do.

 

Winning cures all. GS has been a mess since Baron and JRich left and lost their leadership. I agree Jackson should just shut up and play, and voice his concerns about the team in a private manner but that's just who he is. He will behave perfectly fine if he's on a winning team. Losing with no significant improvement in sight can bring out the worst in people.

 

I don't want a thug on our team. Thanks.

Kidding...

Kobe throwing elbows again..?

 

I'm willing to bet if Nelson leaves, all would be well on this Warriors team.

 

Any vid on the Kobe/Stephen Jackson thing? Only thing I could find was Kobe crossing him up.

 

I love Nellie, but I am starting to wonder about the exact same thing...

 

I'm not going to take up for him, but last year after ellis was pronounced out for a few weeks, nelson basically said they were playing for 09-10. He was alternating off games with the vets. One night crawford would play, the next jackson, the next maggette. Thats not trying to win and thats not good coaching. I'm not excusing jackson because i think he's the type that needs to be on a good team and everything is good.

 

Jackson wouldn't be captain on any other team in the NBA. GSW just happen to be very young and immature.

 

Its the Golden State curse, along with the Clipper curse of one of the more famous in NBA history.

They should never have disbanded Run TMC.

 

I've blasted Nellie for the longest time and he is the main problem with the Warriors right now. But it depends on who would replace him. If they hired a strong-minded coach who could grab the attention and respect of the players right away, the Warriors might be OK until they can retool their roster next summer. Otherwise, the players will just roll their eyes at whoever the replacement is. Nellie or not, they MUST trade Stephen Jackson. Monta Ellis probably has to go also. Only a GM on drugs would take Corey Maggette from them.

Nellie put together this unbalanced roster and the Warriors are stuck with it a while. I can't believe he is still the coach. Beating the Mavs was indeed a serious setback for the franchise.

 

The thing about Don Nelson is that his act eventually gets old. It got old the first time he was in Golden State (ran Webber out of town). It especially got old in Dallas when Avery Johnson was pretty much the coach the last couple of years Nelson was there. And it's old now in Golden State (again), when Baron Davis left, Richardson got traded, Harrington got traded, etc.

It's not entirely Nellie's fault because Mullin has been torpedoing this team even BEFORE that miraculous run in the playoffs few years back (I'll agree with you that beating the Mavs hid a lot of problems that GSW had). But Nelson's the main culprit here.

In all honesty, I would still take SJax on the Rockets team (but without that crazy contract). Despite his immature episodes, he's shown that he can play in a controlled environment (San Antonio). He's not an alpha dog and plays well when he's a complimentary player.

 

Agree with you Nellie. 'Nuff said.

On Cap'n Jack: The Rockets have no need for a player like him. Only teams with championship aspirations this season and next would want him and that contract. The Cavs would be a great fit, for example. There are only a limited numbers of suitors for an overpaid, aging player like Jackson who still has gas in the tank.

 

His cancer habits have really hurt those goof teams he has been on

 

Are you sure?

"I've got no choice but to go out there."

and

When asked about the meeting, which occurred before the team's noon practice, Jackson said: "It was a meeting, no different than any other meeting I've had. I go in there, listen to what they've got to say and come back and play basketball. Whether I pay attention to it or not, that's up to me. But I had to show up. So I showed up."

and

"Don't try to dig into it, that's just how I feel," Jackson said. "I don't want to be a role model. ... Being captain was overrated to me, anyway. You don't do anything but go out before the game and talk to the refs. I don't want to do that, anyway."

and

Then why did he agree to a three-year, $28 million contract extension last November? He said that was about money -- he couldn't turn it down. But now he wants out, and the sooner the better.

and, getting to the money

"Whether you pay me or not, I'm not biting my tongue."

and again

"If they want to send me home and pay me, I'm fine with that," he said.

and perhaps his ultimate desire

In regards to a buyout, Jackson said: "It has to be right. I doubt if they'd do that."

He said he'd go out and play because he has to in order to collect a paycheck. But, it is clear all he means to do is go out and play ball. That's not really his job. His job is to lead the team and win games. He obviously won't bother with that. He'll just have fun on the court until the Warriors find a team for him or buy him out -- and if they'd rather he just stayed home in the meantime, he'd be happier still. No accountability at all. That extension was such a mistake.

Yes, he's taking a Pippenesque scorched-earth strategy to make a trade easier. But, I think he's actually taken it too far -- to the point where teams stop saying "We can get Jax cheap!" and start saying, "What if he pulls this crap on us next and we're stuck paying $28M?" Pippen had a decent (not great) reputation as a professional before his big stunt in Houston. Jackson was already known as a thug and a malcontent before this.

He might have basketball talent. But, he can't handle adversity, obviously. He isn't considerate of the goals of the franchise. He doesn't want to be a leader. He isn't committed to winning. He doesn't have the patience or self-control to handle things the right way. Battier can't do all these things for him. In fact, with McGrady and Yao out, and the young guys we've got, I don't think the Rockets even fit the definition of a team with solid veteran leadership.