5 Questions with SJAX (Stein ESPN)

[ace3g]

Gives more insight into how the trade came about, why he wished he never left the Spurs, etc; some good info

--

Five questions with Spurs guard/forward Stephen Jackson:

Q: This [return to the Spurs] is something you've wanted for a long time, isn't it?

A: I never should have left. I used to hit Tim [Duncan] every summer and I would always tell him, "Man, get me back there, get me back there." I'm just glad it happened at this point. To be back with the team that really opened up my career for me, it feels good. It feels great. In any job you have, it always feels good to feel wanted.

Q: So what really happened in Milwaukee?

A: I just think it was a tough situation. I was used to winning and I kind of felt like I was in a situation where losing was accepted. And that's not me. It's something I could never do, so I think that's why me and coach [Scott Skiles] clashed ... we're losing and I feel like I should be playing more and I'm not playing. I didn't go to college, but it felt like a college atmosphere and that wasn't me. There was a lot of negative stuff going on there and I didn't want to feed into it. And that's why I felt I needed to leave.

Q: Did you have any idea that your dream trade was in the works?

A: The best part about being in Milwaukee was [Bucks general manager] John Hammond. Great guy, stand-up guy. He told me all the situations, all the teams that were calling, so nothing was blind. He told me that San Antonio had called, but the situation wasn't good for [the Bucks] because they didn't want to bring Richard Jefferson back. But then he told me when he traded me to Golden State [in the Andrew Bogut deal] that there was a good chance that I'm going to get where I wanted to go.

He didn't say San Antonio specifically, but that's what happened. I made my connection flight from Milwaukee to Minnesota and I was sitting in the airport waiting to connect to go to San Francisco and I got a call from Pop [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich].

I was almost in tears.

Q: So why did you leave San Antonio after the championship in 2003?

A: I felt that I deserved more for the way I played in the Finals, money-wise, but I knew it was a situation where Tony and Manu were going to be here. So I knew there was a possibility that we'd have to part ways. I was just looking for the best move for my career at the time.

I wish I would have stayed because I would have more championships, but who knows how that would have turned out? I had to find myself as a player and make a name for myself and I think that was the best move at the time.

I think I've grown [since 2003]. I've grown as a player. I've learned how to deal with a lot and I've been through a lot. What they were trying to teach me when I was young, I think I learned on my own. And it's good to come back here knowing I've grown.

Q: Nine years later ... is Pop mellower? As intense as ever? How would you describe him?

A: He's the same to me. He's the same. He loves his guys, he supports his guys, but at the same time he wants you to do your job, which is give 110 percent.

I think everybody's the same. Tim's the same, Manu's the same, Tony's the same. Everybody's the same. The organization is still one of the best in the league. Family-oriented organization. The only thing that's changed is time.

Bonus sixth question ...

Q: You know people are going to wonder how much you have left. And you know I'm going to ask: Can you still make love to pressure?

A: Make love to pressure! I'm waitin' on the pressure. You know I'm waitin' on it. You already know.

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-120323-24/weekend-dime-scouts-lakers-knicks-more

[crc21209]

A: "Make love to pressure! I'm waitin' on the pressure. You know I'm waitin' on it. You already know."

That is all we need to know right there. Jax is one bad motherfucker.....

[100%duncan]

Gives more insight into how the trade came about, why he wished he never left the Spurs, etc; some good info

--

Five questions with Spurs guard/forward Stephen Jackson:

Q: This [return to the Spurs] is something you've wanted for a long time, isn't it?

A: I never should have left. I used to hit Tim [Duncan] every summer and I would always tell him, "Man, get me back there, get me back there." I'm just glad it happened at this point. To be back with the team that really opened up my career for me, it feels good. It feels great. In any job you have, it always feels good to feel wanted.

Q: So what really happened in Milwaukee?

A: I just think it was a tough situation. I was used to winning and I kind of felt like I was in a situation where losing was accepted. And that's not me. It's something I could never do, so I think that's why me and coach [Scott Skiles] clashed ... we're losing and I feel like I should be playing more and I'm not playing. I didn't go to college, but it felt like a college atmosphere and that wasn't me. There was a lot of negative stuff going on there and I didn't want to feed into it. And that's why I felt I needed to leave.

Q: Did you have any idea that your dream trade was in the works?

A: The best part about being in Milwaukee was [Bucks general manager] John Hammond. Great guy, stand-up guy. He told me all the situations, all the teams that were calling, so nothing was blind. He told me that San Antonio had called, but the situation wasn't good for [the Bucks] because they didn't want to bring Richard Jefferson back. But then he told me when he traded me to Golden State [in the Andrew Bogut deal] that there was a good chance that I'm going to get where I wanted to go.

He didn't say San Antonio specifically, but that's what happened. I made my connection flight from Milwaukee to Minnesota and I was sitting in the airport waiting to connect to go to San Francisco and I got a call from Pop [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich].

I was almost in tears.

Q: So why did you leave San Antonio after the championship in 2003?

A: I felt that I deserved more for the way I played in the Finals, money-wise, but I knew it was a situation where Tony and Manu were going to be here. So I knew there was a possibility that we'd have to part ways. I was just looking for the best move for my career at the time.

I wish I would have stayed because I would have more championships, but who knows how that would have turned out? I had to find myself as a player and make a name for myself and I think that was the best move at the time.

I think I've grown [since 2003]. I've grown as a player. I've learned how to deal with a lot and I've been through a lot. What they were trying to teach me when I was young, I think I learned on my own. And it's good to come back here knowing I've grown.

Q: Nine years later ... is Pop mellower? As intense as ever? How would you describe him?

A: He's the same to me. He's the same. He loves his guys, he supports his guys, but at the same time he wants you to do your job, which is give 110 percent.

I think everybody's the same. Tim's the same, Manu's the same, Tony's the same. Everybody's the same. The organization is still one of the best in the league. Family-oriented organization. The only thing that's changed is time.

Bonus sixth question ...

Q: You know people are going to wonder how much you have left. And you know I'm going to ask: Can you still make love to pressure?

A: Make love to pressure! I'm waitin' on the pressure. You know I'm waitin' on it. You already know.

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-120323-24/weekend-dime-scouts-lakers-knicks-more

[Sisk]

:worthy:

[SenorSpur]

Jax is the MF man. This guy isn't scared of anything. Jack acts and plays like he belongs. He's confident, cocky and just a damn good fit. He's wiser and smarter. It's verr possible that he may even be a better defender now than he was when he left.

It's all such a refreshing switch from RJ, who just never seemed to find his way in a Spurs uniform.

This makes me wonder why the hell the Spurs ever allowed Jack to leave in the first place? Oops, it's all coming back to me now - the Spurs were in high-speed pursuit of Jason Kidd. GTFO!

[Dr. John R. Brinkley]

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6956/sjax2.jpg

[housious]

We'd have six rings if he had stayed long term. Fucking sucks to say but it's the truth.

[slick'81]

rj who?!/

[TwelveGs210]

Jax is the MF man. This guy isn't scared of anything. Jack acts and plays like he belongs. He's confident, cocky and just a damn good fit. He's wiser and smarter. It's verr possible that he may even be a better defender now than he was when he left.

It's all such a refreshing switch from RJ, who just never seemed to find his way in a Spurs uniform.

This makes me wonder why the hell the Spurs ever allowed Jack to leave in the first place? Oops, it's all coming back to me now - the Spurs were in high-speed pursuit of Jason Kidd. GTFO!

The Spurs offered more money than Atlanta. Bad representation from his agent.

[Spur|n|Austin]

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6956/sjax2.jpg

I want.

[housious]

The Spurs offered more money than Atlanta. Bad representation from his agent.

Fucking abomination that he left. '04 and '06 squads would have been clear favorites for the title with Jax.

[Dr. John R. Brinkley]

I want.

FreeDarko used to sell them through their website.

[timvp]

The Spurs offered more money than Atlanta. Bad representation from his agent.

Jack ultimately got more money than the Spurs were going to give him so Fegan was right. F Fegan, but dude got scoreboard.












P.S.

It still feels like a dream that the prodigal son has returned :toast

[Vic Petro]

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6956/sjax2.jpg

:rollin

[Borosai]

Holy shirt, that's funny.

[ace3g]

Jeff McDonald ‏ @JMcDonald_SAEN

Close

Jack only guarded Dirk a bit, but seemed to frustrate him most. Jack: "Whoever the best player is on the other team, I want to guard him."

Jack none too happy with Cardinal's whack of Tim Duncan. "To me, it was a dirty play," Jackson said.

Stephen Jackson on Cardinal: "When you can’t play no more, I guess all you can do is go out and try to hurt people."

[DBMethos]

Love this man.

[Twisted_Dawg]

Q: You know people are going to wonder how much you have left. And you know I'm going to ask: Can you still make love to pressure?

A: Make love to pressure! I'm waitin' on the pressure. You know I'm waitin' on it. You already know.

Shit Negro, that's all you had to say!!!!

[Twisted_Dawg]

Jack ultimately got more money than the Spurs were going to give him so Fegan was right. F Fegan, but dude got scoreboard.

For the first three years, I'm not so sure. The Spurs offered a $10 million 3 year deal. Jack signed for Atlanta for I think $1.5 million, then was traded to Indiana the next year and signed a $5+ million per year deal. His first year with Indiana, he got suspended for most of the year for his part in the Malice.
So:
Atlanta $1.5
Indiana $2.5 (1st yr)
Indiana $5.0 (2nd yr)

Had he signed that Spurs 3 year deal and stayed with the team, I think his second Spurs contract would have been his biggest.

[TheCerebral1]

Honestly could this season be any better for the Spurs. With a reduced schedule Tim and CO has been able to stay relatively clean. Yeah there have been injuries. But Manu is finally starting to hopefully get into gear, TP9 has been a beast and Duncan when needed has stepped up. Now with weapons in SJax, Leonard, Green, Diaw, Splitter, Bonner, and hopefully Mills you have to love the depth. This could be the year the TD21 gets the thumb.

[8FOR!3]

Honestly could this season be any better for the Spurs. With a reduced schedule Tim and CO has been able to stay relatively clean. Yeah there have been injuries. But Manu is finally starting to hopefully get into gear, TP9 has been a beast and Duncan when needed has stepped up. Now with weapons in SJax, Leonard, Green, Diaw, Splitter, Bonner, and hopefully Mills you have to love the depth. This could be the year the TD21 gets the thumb.

Not only that, but the way these guys have grown as a team this year is just incredible. It's getting later in the year and everybody's starting to come together.

Playoff time baby :flag:

Now watch as the world collapses the next game we lose :lmao

[Dr. John R. Brinkley]

For the first three years, I'm not so sure. The Spurs offered a $10 million 3 year deal. Jack signed for Atlanta for I think $1.5 million, then was traded to Indiana the next year and signed a $5+ million per year deal. His first year with Indiana, he got suspended for most of the year for his part in the Malice.
So:
Atlanta $1.5
Indiana $2.5 (1st yr)
Indiana $5.0 (2nd yr)

Had he signed that Spurs 3 year deal and stayed with the team, I think his second Spurs contract would have been his biggest.

I remember it more like he went to Atlanta on a one year deal as a way to showcase himself, he put up three 40 point games in a row at one point, showed his talent, signed a $30 million + contract as a free agent with the Pacers, then at some point got suspended for about 30 games for his role in the Malice, and then ended up in GS where he got an even bigger contract.

[ABC]

For the first three years, I'm not so sure. The Spurs offered a $10 million 3 year deal. Jack signed for Atlanta for I think $1.5 million, then was traded to Indiana the next year and signed a $5+ million per year deal. His first year with Indiana, he got suspended for most of the year for his part in the Malice.
So:
Atlanta $1.5
Indiana $2.5 (1st yr)
Indiana $5.0 (2nd yr)

Had he signed that Spurs 3 year deal and stayed with the team, I think his second Spurs contract would have been his biggest.


Not sure what the Spurs offered, but here are his career salaries:

2000-01 New Jersey Nets (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NJN/2001.html) NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2001.html) $316,969
2001-02 San Antonio Spurs (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2002.html) NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2002.html) $590,850
2002-03 San Antonio Spurs (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2003.html) NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2003.html) $699,935
2003-04 Atlanta Hawks (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2004.html) NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2004.html) $1,000,000
2004-05 Indiana Pacers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/2005.html) NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2005.html) $5,100,000
2005-06 Indiana Pacers (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/2006.html) NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2006.html) $5,610,000
2006-07 Golden State Warriors (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/2007.html) NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2007.html) $6,120,000
2007-08 Golden State Warriors (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/2008.html) NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2008.html) $6,630,000
2008-09 Golden State Warriors (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/2009.html) NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2009.html) $7,140,000
2009-10 Charlotte Bobcats (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHA/2010.html) NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2010.html) $7,650,000
2010-11 Charlotte Bobcats (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHA/2011.html) NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2011.html) $8,453,250
2011-12 Milwaukee Bucks (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/2012.html) NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2012.html) $9,256,500

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksst02.html

[SenorSpur]

Jeff McDonald ‏ @JMcDonald_SAEN

Close

Jack only guarded Dirk a bit, but seemed to frustrate him most. Jack: "Whoever the best player is on the other team, I want to guard him."

Jack none too happy with Cardinal's whack of Tim Duncan. "To me, it was a dirty play," Jackson said.

Stephen Jackson on Cardinal: "When you can’t play no more, I guess all you can do is go out and try to hurt people."

How can you NOT love this guy?

Welcome to New Jack City!

[SenorSpur]

Honestly could this season be any better for the Spurs. With a reduced schedule Tim and CO has been able to stay relatively clean. Yeah there have been injuries. But Manu is finally starting to hopefully get into gear, TP9 has been a beast and Duncan when needed has stepped up. Now with weapons in SJax, Leonard, Green, Diaw, Splitter, Bonner, and hopefully Mills you have to love the depth. This could be the year the TD21 gets the thumb.

I shudder to even think about that far. While there is still a lack of frontline depth, I will say that the Spurs have certainly constructed a roster that is far more balanced and capable of a deep playoff run. So long as good health prevails, I like their chances. In fact, I feel ever so much better about THIS squad, as the playoffs near, than I did of last year's roster.

[JRHernandez88]

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6956/sjax2.jpg
:wow They nailed it on that picture. I actually laughed out loud. :lmao

[celldweller]

http://www.yourprops.com/movieprops/default/423877ba78c59/Pulp-Fiction-1994/Bad-Motherfucker-Wallet.jpg

[Obstructed_View]

Jack was destined to leave, one way or another. At least this way he got to come back. Maybe he can end his career with the Spurs. Hope it works out that way.

[TheCerebral1]

I shudder to even think about that far. While there is still a lack of frontline depth, I will say that the Spurs have certainly constructed a roster that is far more balanced and capable of a deep playoff run. So long as good health prevails, I like their chances. In fact, I feel ever so much better about THIS squad, as the playoffs near, than I did of last year's roster.

At this point I look at the wins against OKC, and the sustained ability to score and to be more flexible as pluses. They can score from outside and in. Interior defense is still what is lacking. But, Duncan seems to have his motor reving pretty high. I like the odds.

[Koolaid_Man]

A: "Make love to pressure! I'm waitin' on the pressure. You know I'm waitin' on it. You already know."

That is all we need to know right there. Jax is one bad motherfucker.....

you're out your rabid ass mind....Toothless Jack ain't shit when a real nigga like Kobe steps onto the floor...each time they play Kobe pretty much outscores him by 20/ppg. Dude is ok until he's given the Kobe assignment...if Bruce Bowen couldn't fuck with Kobe what in Hades make you clowns think this toothless tiger can...get real

Never forget how he flipped out when Kobe torched his ass in a meaningless pre-season game...and Kobe has no respect for this cat...called him a young fella and posts his ass up on the regular...:lol


"Jackson flipped on Friday night in Los Angeles when Nellie let him stay on the floor to pick up five fouls and a technical inside of 10 minutes. Jax was at wit's end when he started clinging close to Kobe Bryant(notes). One source on the court says Kobe addressed Jax as ‘Young Fella,' and for some odd reason that pushed Jackson over the edge. Soon, Jackson was cursing Nellie and storming to the locker room on his way to a two-game preseason suspension."

Kobe gonna give it to that nigga any way he wants it...

mYuva1vHTTs

[weebo]

you're out your rabid ass mind....Toothless Jack ain't shit when a real nigga like Kobe steps onto the floor...each time they play Kobe pretty much outscores him by 20/ppg. Dude is ok until he's given the Kobe assignment...if Bruce Bowen couldn't fuck with Kobe what in Hades make you clowns think this toothless tiger can...get real

Never forget how he flipped out when Kobe torched his ass in a meaningless pre-season game...and Kobe has no respect for this cat...called him a young fella and posts his ass up on the regular...:lol



Kobe gonna give it to that nigga any way he wants it...

mYuva1vHTTs




no worries brah....we still got our young dawg (KL) to put your man crush on lock....send that tired old fuck Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Lu ck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_Luck_The_Fakers_ bryant cryin into the offseason :lmao

[YoMamaIsCallin]

Shit Negro, that's all you had to say!!!!

Well done! For those who don't know:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paw_2EJBzFs

[KaiRMD1]

Love the interview, wish Jackson had come back sooner too but oh well, he's back now and that's what matters

[Stalin]

jackson looks more of a fit in the couple of games he played, than dick jefferson ever did playing for the spurs

[ThaBigFundamental21]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRx4aaaiGlE