Stephen Jackson
From Hoopedia
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| Jackson playing for the Spurs. | |
| No. 3 - San Antonio Spurs | |
|---|---|
| Small forward / Shooting guard | |
| Personal information | |
| Date of birth: April 5, 1978 | |
| Place of birth: Port Arthur, Texas | |
| Height 6 ft 8 in | Weight: 215 lbs |
| Career information | |
| College: Butler Community (Kansas) | |
| NBA Draft : 1997; Round: 2 / Pick: 43rd | |
| Selected by the Phoenix Suns | |
| Debut: 2000 for the New Jersey Nets | |
| Career history | |
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| Career Highlights and Awards | |
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| Stephen Jackson at NBA.com | |
Stephen Jesse Jackson (born April 5, 1978, in Port Arthur, Texas) is an American professional basketball player who plays at Small forward/Shooting guard in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs. Jackson, a 6'8" swingman, is currently in his 7th NBA season.
Contents |
Biography
Stephen Jackson prepped at Lincoln High School (Port Arthur, Texas) before transferring to Oak Hill Academy (Virginia) where he earned High School All-America honors in 1996. Following a commitment to join the University of Arizona, Jackson was ruled academically ineligible.
Jackson was selected 43rd overall in the 1997 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, yet did not receive an opportunity to perform, as he was waived by the team on October 30. Following this development, Jackson saw action in six games with the LaCrosse Bobcats in the Continental Basketball Association, in which he averaged 2.7 points in 12.7 minutes per game. Additionally, Jackson had a brief stint with the Sydney Kings in the Australian National Basketball League. Continuing his basketball journey, Jackson played professionally in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
New Jersey Nets
Jackson did not play an NBA game until the 2000-01 season with the New Jersey Nets, officially deemed his rookie season. He appeared in 77 games (including 40 starts), in which he averaged 8.2 points per game, and established a close friendship with star point guard Stephon Marbury. Jackson was selected to play in the Schick Rookie Game at the 2001 All-Star Weekend, in which he tallied 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in the contest.
San Antonio Spurs
Before the 2001-2002 NBA season, he was signed by the San Antonio Spurs. Following a somewhat successful rookie campaign, Jackson was hampered by injuries in 2001, missing a total of 45 games. His season averages were 3.9 points and 1.1 rebounds, logging approximately 9.9 minutes per game.
During the 2002-2003 NBA season, Jackson became a key member of the Spurs. Appearing in 80 games (58 starts), his season averages were 11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 28.2 minutes per game. In the course of their postseason run in the 2003 NBA Playoffs, Jackson proved to be a vital asset and helped the Spurs win their second NBA Championship, averaging 12.8 points per game during the playoffs - the team’s 3rd leading scorer.
Atlanta Hawks
In 2003, Jackson became a free agent during the offseason and was signed by the Atlanta Hawks. Registering his best professional season to this point, Jackson established season averages of 18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, in 80 total games (78 starts). On March 12, vs. the Washington Wizards, Jackson scored a career-high 42 points. In the 29 games following the All-Star Break, Jackson averaged 24.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.2 steals per game.
Following the 2003-04 NBA season, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers for small forward Al Harrington, after signing a 6 year, $38.3 million contract.
Indiana Pacers
During his first season as a member of the Indiana Pacers in the 2004-05 NBA season, Jackson tallied averages of 18.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He received a 30-game suspension from the league after going into the stands and brawling with Detroit Pistons supporters during the Pacers-Pistons Brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills, on November 19, 2004. During this time, accompanied by three of his teammates, Jackson visited the Indiana Developmental Training Center. He donated a big screen television as well as other items.
Following his return from this lengthy suspension, he averaged 21.7 points per game in a span of 22 games, starting on March 3 (due to an injury to Pacers power forward Jermaine O'Neal).
Indiana’s once promising post-season possibilities were marred by the suspension of small forward Ron Artest. Jackson averaged 18.9 points per game during the first round of the 2005 NBA Playoffs, versus the Boston Celtics. A series loss in the next round at the hands of the Detroit Pistons would end the campaign, with Jackson leading the team in scoring during the playoffs with an average of 16.1 points per game.
In the 2005-06 NBA season, Jackson appeared in 81 games for the Pacers, averaging 16.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. A particularly impressive exhibition performed by Jackson came in a midseason victory over the Sacramento Kings, in which he made four consecutive 3-pointers on four straight possessions. As the playoff push ensued, he tallied an average of 20.2 points per game in the month of April.
During the summer of 2006, Jackson founded the Stephen Jesse Jackson Academy in his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas. This institution will emphasize academics and fine arts. It will initially be open to children in kindergarten through sixth grade, with plans to add grades seven through 12 later.
On October 6, 2006, there were police reports that Jackson and three other Pacers players were involved in an argument with several patrons at a strip club in Indianapolis. Jackson was punched by one of the patrons and was hit by a car, rolling onto the hood. His injuries were considered minor. Jackson says he fired several gunshots from a 9-mm pistol as an act of self-defense. However, prosecutors later said he fired first. Jackson was charged October 11, 2006 with a felony count of criminal recklessness. Jackson was suspended for seven games. as was Ron Artest.
Golden State Warriors
On January 17, 2007, the Pacers dealt Jackson to the Golden State Warriors in a blockbuster eight player trade. Along with Al Harrington, Šarūnas Jasikevičius, and Josh Powell, Jackson was swapped for Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy, Ike Diogu, and Keith McLeod of the Warriors.
Jackson registered 29 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals in his Warriors debut, January 20, 2007 versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. Yet another significant, meaningful performance came on February 5, when Golden State traveled to Conseco Fieldhouse to compete against Jackson’s former team. He tallied 36 points, leading the Warriors to a 113-98 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Rejuvenated by the change of scenery, Jackson averaged 19.6 points and 4.6 assists per game in February - taking the reigns of principal playmaker while star point guard Baron Davis was injured. Jackson led the team in scoring 3 times during the last 5 games in the regular season, including the season-ending victory over the Portland Trail Blazers that clinched the Warriors first playoff berth in 12 seasons.
In the Warriors 4-2 series victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2007 NBA Playoffs, Jackson garnered both positive and negative publicity. In one of the most highly viewed NBA playoff series ever - and what some consider the biggest upset in NBA history - Jackson was ejected from Games 2 and 5, adding to his reputation of being a contentious, out-of-control trouble maker. The latter decision, in Game 5, was heavily criticized as Jackson appeared to be merely applauding at the end of the game to lift the spirits of his teammates, and not to sarcastically mock a referee. But Jackson redeemed himself by playing well the entire series, especially in the series-clinching Game 6, where Jackson tallied 33 points on a franchise playoff-record 7 three-pointers. Also, he continued to play aggressive defense against 2007 NBA MVP Dirk Nowitzki, who was held to 8 points.
Baron Davis, who suffered a slight hamstring injury in the 1st quarter of Game 6, shares his thoughts regarding Jackson: "I told him (Stephen Jackson) I’ll give it all I got and I didn’t want to be the hardest worker out there. He had to carry me. He is the leader of this team and if you ask anyone on this team, he is the heart and soul of this team. He is a big-game performer and he knew just how important this game was. He is the only one on our team to have won a championship, so we had to feed off of him."
Jackson finished the series with per-game averages of 22.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 steals.
Player Profile
Generally, a modern-day NBA swingman provides a multitude of skills. Jackson is certainly no exception, as evidenced by his overall ability. Although he is known to be a somewhat streaky outside shooter, Jackson’s range extends from the basket to the 3-point line. Possessing an effective crossover dribble, Jackson can attack the paint and get to the hoop. Additionally, against smaller players, he is often utilized in the post (where he is either double-teamed and creates an open shot for a teammate, or is able to manufacture a mid-range jumper). Through spurts of inefficient, turnover-prone play, Jackson has proved a reputable playmaking option, with above-average passing abilities and court vision. Defensively, Jackson is certainly amongst the better perimeter defenders in the league, due to his long wingspan, quickness, and awareness.
Current Golden State Warriors head coach Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history, articulates this brief summation of Jackson’s game: “I don’t think that people realize how good a player Jackson is, he guards every night, he makes plays, he can shoot, and the only thing that he doesn’t do is rebound. He makes everyone around him better."
Charlotte Bobcats
On November 16, 2009 Jackson along with Acie Law were traded to the Charlotte Bobcats for Vladimir Radmanovic and Raja Bell
NBA Statistics
Stephen Jackson’s career NBA statistics.
| Year | Team | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-01 | New Jersey Nets | 21.6 | 8.2 | 2.7 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.2 |
| 2001-02 | San Antonio Spurs | 9.9 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 |
| 2002-03 | San Antonio Spurs | 28.8 | 11.8 | 3.6 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 0.4 |
| 2003-04 | Atlanta Hawks | 36.8 | 18.1 | 4.6 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 0.2 |
| 2004-05 | Indiana Pacers | 35.4 | 18.7 | 4.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 0.3 |
| 2005-06 | Indiana Pacers | 35.9 | 16.4 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 0.5 |
| 2006-07 | Golden State Warriors | 33.0 | 15.5 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 0.5 |
- MPG: Minutes Per Game
- PPG: Points Per Game
- RPG: Rebounds Per Game
- APG: Assists Per Game
- SPG: Steals Per Game
- BPG: Blocks Per Game
Career Highs
- Points: 42 vs. Washington 03/12/04
- Rebounds: 11 on 3 separate occasions
- Assists: 12 vs. Memphis 02/21/07
- Steals: 6 vs. Philadelphia 04/06/04
Reputation
Mainstream media outlets generally portray Jackson in a negative way, highlighting the fact that, in only the past three years, he has been charged with felony criminal recklessness and a number of other misdemeanors, including assault, disorderly conduct, and two counts of battery.
Some sources identify Jackson in a more positive manner. Former teammate Tim Duncan once labeled Jackson as the “ultimate teammate” during his days in San Antonio. ESPN analyst and sportswriter Michael Smith finds Jackson to be “articulate, charming, and thoughtful.”
“I’ve known him for years,” said Warriors guard Jason Richardson, who has the same agent, Dan Fegan, as Jackson. “He’s a good-hearted guy, always smiling and joking. He brings a lot of team chemistry... He’s the type of guy that keeps everything together. People just look at the off-court things that happen, and they don’t know the person he is. Steve’s a great person.”
Marcus Thompson of the Contra Costa Times conveys his opinion as such: “He takes the younger players under his wing, taking them shopping, dispensing advice, lending an ear. What’s more, he does the little things that are unbecoming of a millionaire thug. He looks people in the eye when they talk to him, as if he cares about what they’re saying. He frequently doles out handshakes, half-hugs and, to women, pecks on the cheek. He returns phone calls. He mends fences, lifts spirits, makes others feel special.”
Trivia
- Jackson’s next door neighbor in the Indianapolis suburb of Carmel, Indiana was Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy. Jackson plans to sell the house in the summer of 2007.
- When growing up, Jackson used to wash dishes and bus tables in his grandfather’s soul food restaurant in Port Arthur, Texas
- Although his NBA peers call him “Jack,” in his hometown of Port Arthur, he is known simply as “Stevie.”
