spursparker9
11-07-2014, 01:19 PM
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24788012
In the final hours of those failed negotiations, Yahoo! Sports reported that Jackson is determined to find a starting role in restricted free agency next summer. The report went on to say that Jackson could command a salary in the $13 million to $14 million range.
At a shootaround before the Thunder's home opener last Saturday, Jackson even hinted that he might not call Oklahoma City home for much longer when he said he is “just trying to play my role while I'm here.”
That comment went largely unnoticed by most.
But Jackson already had said enough to turn local supporters into skeptics.
When he finally took the court after missing the first three regular season games due to an ankle injury, Jackson didn't do himself any favors in the court of public opinion.
He played selfishly at times in his season debut at Brooklyn on Monday, putting on a one-man show and what seemed to be a dribbling exhibition designed to search for his own shot. He finished with a game-high 23 points but took 20 shots. Perry Jones and Serge Ibaka, the next two highest shot takers, had 12 and 11 shot attempts, respectively. Jackson had five assists but committed five fouls and seven turnovers.
Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins grew frustrated with Jackson by the third quarter. Both big men began freezing out their point guard, refusing to pass him the ball to lead the break following defensive rebounds.
After the game, Thunder coach Scott Brooks even publicly criticized Jackson for not moving the ball.
In the final hours of those failed negotiations, Yahoo! Sports reported that Jackson is determined to find a starting role in restricted free agency next summer. The report went on to say that Jackson could command a salary in the $13 million to $14 million range.
At a shootaround before the Thunder's home opener last Saturday, Jackson even hinted that he might not call Oklahoma City home for much longer when he said he is “just trying to play my role while I'm here.”
That comment went largely unnoticed by most.
But Jackson already had said enough to turn local supporters into skeptics.
When he finally took the court after missing the first three regular season games due to an ankle injury, Jackson didn't do himself any favors in the court of public opinion.
He played selfishly at times in his season debut at Brooklyn on Monday, putting on a one-man show and what seemed to be a dribbling exhibition designed to search for his own shot. He finished with a game-high 23 points but took 20 shots. Perry Jones and Serge Ibaka, the next two highest shot takers, had 12 and 11 shot attempts, respectively. Jackson had five assists but committed five fouls and seven turnovers.
Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins grew frustrated with Jackson by the third quarter. Both big men began freezing out their point guard, refusing to pass him the ball to lead the break following defensive rebounds.
After the game, Thunder coach Scott Brooks even publicly criticized Jackson for not moving the ball.