Jackson discusses return to San Antonio
As newly acquired San Antonio Spurs forward Stephen Jackson prepares to make his home debut in the AT&T Center on Wednesday, Jackson
is preparing for not just his for his return to the city, but a return for the chance at winning another NBA championship.
French site rmcsport.fr recently caught up with Jackson and asked him a few questions regarding the trade, another opportunity at being coached by Gregg Popovich, some his favorite NBA players, what it's going to take to return back to full rhythm, and his favorite memory in basketball.
Here is Jackson responding to being traded back to the San Antonio Spurs, the team where he won his first, and only championship with.
I’m very happy to be back. It’s been a long career, I’ve always wanted to come back after I left. I won a championship here. Being back is great.
According to Jackson, he and Spurs veteran Tim Duncan had minor discussions about Jackson returning to San Antonio one day.
I had a clue but I didn't know for sure. I talked about it with Timmy (Duncan) earlier but I didn't know it was going to happen, because we were so close from the deadline. I’m glad it did.
Being coached by Popovich, one of the best in the business, is no easy task, but Jackson is glad to be back under his guidance.
I think Pops is still crazy! (laughs) But in a good way. He helped us become the players we are today. Without a crazy coach, we wouldn't be where we are today.
When asked how long it will take Jackson to get back into his full rhythm, Jackson gave himself his own timetable.
I’m going to give myself two weeks. The good thing is that we have a lot of games and not too much practice. So it shouldn't take long.
Though he didn't make the All-Star team for the first time in his career, Jackson still considers Duncan the greatest power forward to ever play the game. Jackson listed his five most dominant NBA players ever at each position.
Point guard: Magic Johnson. 2-guard: Michael Jordan. 3-guard: Larry Bird. At the 4: Tim Duncan. And at center: Wilt Chamberlain.
And finally, Jackson commented on his favorite basketball memory ever, for Jackson and the Spurs today, they will all hope to relive this memory at the end of this season.
Being able to grab that trophy in 2003! If you’re a real basketball player and you love the game, I think the ultimate goal is to win a championship. I was blessed to be a part of it in 03. So that’s my favorite memory.
I would just like to point out how remedial Paul Garcia's writing was in this article. At least some of us paid attention in English 101, Journalism 101, and Writing 101... get it together baby!
"...the team where he won his first, and only championship with."
@apaladino That's actually grammatically correct, so not only is it obnoxious to make comments about someone's grammar, but it's also obnoxious that you are so blatantly wrong.
@spurs123 @apaladinoCall me what you will, the truth is he uses WAY too many commas, this is a poorly written article at best, and if you think you should refer to a team by their LOCATION = Talk to former Supersonics fans about how much they love the OKC Thunder.....
1 Like
@apaladino @spurs123 You need to get out more apaladino. This is a fan organised blog. Hence the odd spelling mistake etc. I think the guys at Project Spurs do an amazing job.
We keep talking and discussing the merits and demerits of Jackson's return to the spurs. Meanwhile, time is passing by. We know it, the coaching staff know it and mgnt knows it that the spurs needs a big man. Two big men in recent days have become available for signing. Turiaf was released by the Nuggets and JJHickson was waived by the Kings. As these two 2 players become available, we sit in the sidelines and talk about a fait asccompli- Jackson has returned to the fold. So? It doesn't solve the woes of the team we love. They need a help to man the interior somebody in the mold of either Turiaf or JJHickson. I think it becomes imperative to hire one or both. If it becomes necessary to waive Dawson and send Joseph to the d-league, then it MUST be done No dilly-dallying please Mr. Buford. If you want the spurs to be relevant, do something. Forget for the moment in hiring a replacement pg and concentrate on signing a big man. TD and Splitter can't do it. They need HELP! The Spurs needs it!
1 Like
@rtesoro440 woah woah woah... you are sadly mistaken thinking our F/O is standing on the sidelines. RC already stated after the RJ trade that the roster moves were not over. You have to understand we are a small market team and there aren't too many players who actually believe we have a shot at the championship. Most players either want money or a shot at a championship (sometimes both) and if you haven't been watching..... we have tried to go after a lot of players that flat out turned us down for either money or a bigger market.
Hickson is being signed to the Warriors.. right? Pretty sure I heard that. Also heard that Turiaf was looking to go to Miami or Chicago (who isn't) so we aren't even a front runner. Dollar to donuts that we attempted to get one of these big men.
Also, this is a blog. Give credit to the contributors of this blog for the hard work they do; providing us with up to date Spurs information, commentary and opines. RJ for Jackson was a big deal; and if you don't care for the story don't click on it. I think it's rude to get angry with a Spurs blogger for not making every story about obtaining a big man - especially when they've already posted a story about the 2 big men you're talking about,
Small market? The spurs chose to contend, they must be ready to spend. If they are stingy then don't dream of winning games. Pls don't use this a reason for not recruiting players like Turiaf or JJHickson.
done deal!!!!
now they are looking at a back up point guard from australia looks like a serious run to the finals if they stay healthy, who will be the east opponent bulls or miami??
what are our chances?
@OscarMayen Diaw is actually still a good defender. I read some stats thing sayin he was 23 in the league at pick and roll defending efficiency... If he is motivated hell be useful. He may hit a couple threes every once in a while but if he stops the pick and roll and holds his own against 4's and 5's I'm all for it. Vet's min is all theyll have to pay, wont take a luxury cap hit, if he pans out theyll have the option to resign him. Low risk high reward imo
now parker wants boris diaw to join the spurs but he seems out of shape to me, we need a defensive presence to help duncan not just an average big guy
@OscarMayen Bonner makes over 2 million less per year than Frye... I was wanting the spurs to sign Murphy this summer because he is better than both of them and would've been cheaper than even Bonner, but I guess playing behind Gasol and Bynum in LA is more appealing than a shot at starting in SA.
every word in your post is correct
except the remark about channing frye
frye is a much better than bonner at almost the same dollar amount
but the spurs didnt see that, and neither did I
guess no other team did either
@rtesoro440 no the name of the game is putting the right pieces with what you have and the system you run. the spurs never broke the bank until they made the trade for RJ.. look what happened with that. the lineup is NOT the same.. not even close. tiago is taking minutes from bonner and blair, kawhi is far better and far more versatile than george hill was. and they just traded a 1 trick pony for one of the more versatile veterans in the league. neal has gotten a bump.. the rotation just isnt even close to what it was last year. like russman138 said... if you want an owner who overpays for players you should be a mavs fan. fringe players dont deserve lucrative deals... how did signing channing frye, hakim warrick, and shannon brown, to full MLE deals work out for pheonix? absolutely awful, and players like that know they arent worth it, so if a team offers them that much money they will gladly take that over winning
@JimmyPriourThe name of the game is how much a team is willing to spend. Remain with the same lineup and loss.
@rtesoro440 I'm not using the small market argument as an excuse for RC NOT to go after one of those players... I'm saying it's the reason why those players don't want to come HERE (frankly.. I don't like either of them). We shouldn't overspend just to change their mind.. FUCK that. If a player chooses money over winning then we don't want them here anyway.
And I don't mind staying fiscally conservative. If you want an overspending owner, then be a Mavs fan.
@rtesoro440 hickson cant play defense and is barely 6'9".... do you even watch spurs games? you always say we need these bigs most of which wouldn't even fit in the spurs system or fit their needs. until duncans 20+ mil a year contract is off the books we simply dont have the cap space, its not about not wanting to spend, its about not being able to. and there is absolutely no reason to go deep into the luxury tax for a fringe player that hardly helps our chance. we are miles better defensively this year than last. are there holes in our roster sure. but you cant list a single team in the league besides maybe chicago that doesnt have multiple holes, and the spurs have far less holes than most teams
