PROTECT THE PAINT

Stephen Jackson is at a cross roads with the Golden State Warriors. After rescinding his captaincy, he has now taken things one step further, stating he would consider a buyout.

Jackson’s explanation for his relief from captaincy, according to the San Francisco Chronicle:

“I don’t want these young guys to try to follow me,” Jackson said. “I can’t be a role model to guys who make the same amount of money as me. … I think everybody is responsible for themselves, and that’s how it should be.”

We are a happy family, no seriously... (Credit: picapp.com)

I find this explanation to be an unbelievably, utter lie. Is this really the story he is sticking with?

He had no problem being a captain last season. None whatsoever.  Perhaps he is escalating this childlike tantrum by making as many waves as he can since the Warriors dismissed his prior request to be traded.

Maybe he thinks this will force their hand?

Don Nelson has a very good point: “We’re still going to try to accommodate him, but it’s not that easy to do”.

I have stated before in previous posts he should not have been fined, and at the time he should not have.  He was not saying anything on the court, or playing in a fashion detrimental to the team. Seems as though his immaturity has gotten the better of him, allowing his personal feelings to derail his and his teammates game.

His on court behavior against the Los Angeles Lakers in the preseason was detrimental to the team, and worthy of a much larger suspension.  Jackson committed 5 personal fouls and a technical foul in the 9 minutes of first quarter play. He was sent to the locker room and did not return.

The Warriors announced his suspension the next morning.

I am a professional... some of the time. (Credit: picapp.com)

What Stephen Jackson needs to realize is that he is a professional basketball player, keyword being PROFESSIONAL, meaning he gets paid to play basketball. Last time I checked it did not mean to make a mockery of the game, and disrupt your team.

In this worldwide economic state, why can’t Jackson simply shut up, and be happy he is getting paid $7,650,000 to play the game? To millions of Americans, that is a dream job that we would never consider jeopardizing.

On another note, is Jackson really so naïve that he does not realize that his erratic behavior on the court significantly hurts his value? Who wants someone capable of acting that stupid playing for them?

We all knew his shot selection is highly questionable, but this latest tirade is incredulous.

He claimed “I know there are a lot of teams that want me,” Jackson said. “I’m a good player. … I don’t know exactly what the conversations are, but I don’t think it’s as hard as people say it is.”

Who is going to want a player who hurts his team during the game, and then berates his team off the court in front of the media?

Jackson has all but destroyed his efforts to paint his image anew after his infamous 2004 brawl as Pacer in Detroit, or discharging firearms into the sky in 2006.

Here is the video, and thanks to youtube, I hope nobody ever forgets:

Stephen Jackson I ask you this: do you think the business executives running NBA franchises will look past this consistent trend in your personal history?

The business-oriented NBA could soon render the player once known as “Captain Jack” into the “former NBA player Stephen Jackson”.

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