Which is not a bad thing. I would not mind signing Mr. Jackson to the exception, or less if he will take it for 4-5 years. He may have been older than the normal rookie last year, but he still played well and showed some fire and hustle on the court. He has intensity w/o great talent...similar to Outlaw, except w/o the defense. All of us agree that we don't have our franchise center yet, and I'm not talking about the next Hakeem. Just someone who can catch and shoot and play defense, block shots and rebound and avoid fouls on a consistent basis and not be the focal point on offense. Marc Jackson has the shot and can board too. He would be the ideal big man off the bench. He's 6'10, 270, which isn't center size but it isn't small either. He has some skills and would be able to give us a helping hand off the bench against the other teams backup and in spot starts if needed. Eventually Cato and Collier will begin to help us or they will be gone from the team. I know everyone is debating right now whether or not Marc can start. If we sign him, he may need to for a year, but not long term. The front office does have a plan. Although they can't see into the future, they do have back up plans up the wazoo, so I think we will be ok.
If the Rockets aren't interested in Jackson, then the Warriors may get to (have to?) sign him by default ... because Indiana just dropped out of the bidding: (from link) "[Pacers GM Donnie] Walsh also said the Pacers no longer are considering making an offer to Golden State restricted free agent Marc Jackson."
Obviously you didn't watch Marc play this year. Off the bench? Actually they could have replaced Taylor with Jackson and be considered an upgrade. At the forward spot he knocked down 16-10. How can anyone call him a bench player?
Last restricted agent available in the free agency. I'll say sign Marc and Carlos playing 4 or 5. We will be okey. This guy will do a lot of damage defending somebody in the paint, with the new rule I think we got a very good chance to run for a playoff spots. Young Blood!!
*GASP* You mean he can't play defense NOR can he shoot the ball? OH NO, Cato II.......... I am being sarcastic of course. Marc Jackson has a good offensive game, and a nice perimeter shot.
BTW, the Pacers are out of the running for Marc Jackson. http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/tabak_spain_010806.html?nav=ArticleList ...........Walsh also said the Pacers no longer are considering making an offer to Golden State restricted free agent Marc Jackson. Because the payroll already is closing in on the NBA's projected luxury tax threshold of $54.5 million - in effect, a ''hard'' salary cap the franchise is committed to staying beneath - the full amount of the $4.5 million mid-level exception could not be offered. Jackson Even if a player was traded away in order to make more payroll room available, the Warriors would still have the right to match any offer sheet for Jackson. In other words, the Pacers could conceivably lose a player and not get Jackson, anyway...........
