http://inq.philly.com/content/inquirer/2001/03/31/sports/SNOT31.htm Ex-Owl Jackson has a big rookie season By Stephen A. Smith INQUIRER STAFF WRITER He has missed 15 of the last 19 games and is out indefinitely with a strained left groin, but if former Temple star Marc Jackson sat out the rest of the season, unable to play even a second, the Golden State Warriors would not care. Just as long as Jackson returns in October. Jackson, who transferred to Temple from Virginia Commonwealth for his last two seasons, wasn't expected to become such a valuable NBA commodity. At 6-foot-10, 270 pounds, Jackson was labeled a project when he left school a year early for the NBA, drafted 38th overall, and sent overseas to hone his skills. Three years later, this is what we know: Among rookies, he ranks first in scoring (13.2 points per game), first in rebounds (7.5), first in free-throw percentage (.802), second in field-goal percentage (.467), second in minutes per game (29.4), and is the only rookie with more than 11 double-doubles on the season, ranking 30th league-wide with 17 for the season. The only thing that could have capped off his stellar season was a return to Philadelphia as an NBA player. But it wasn't to be. "I'm not playing, so it's like it's just all right [to be here]," Jackson deadpanned about his return to Philadelphia. "It would be better if I was playing, but I can't worry about that." Does he worry about capturing rookie-of-the-year honors? "I think about it a lot," Jackson said. "With [New Jersey Nets rookie] Kenyon Martin out, I wonder what [voters] are going to do? Then there's [Orlando Magic guard] Mike Miller. He could get it, too. So it'll be very interesting to see what happens." What's of extreme interest to the Warriors is whether or not Jackson, a free-agent-to-be, plans on returning to Golden State after this season? "It'll be an interesting off-season," said Jackson, busy setting aside 15 tickets for family and friends before last night's game. "Last year, only a couple of teams that I worked out for were interested, but the Warriors wouldn't release me and they wouldn't trade my rights. Now this year, it'll be more interesting because the Warriors want me, but now everybody in the world wants me. "I'm not going to take a lesser role, and the Warriors organization knows that. I'm not going to let them turn me into a jump-shooting center, either. For example, they may want Antawn Jamison and Danny Fortson to work the post area, but want me to stand outside and shoot jump shots. I'm not going to do that, either, and they know that." ___________________________________ If Webber does not sign here, can the Rockets assure Marc of the playing time and satisfy him with what he wants? Outside of Antonio Davis signing here or the Rockets signing Olajuwon to a multi-year contract, I am pretty sure the Rockets coaching staff would have no problem giving Jackson what he wants. Just my opinon. ------------------ [This message has been edited by countingcrow (edited March 31, 2001).]
I agree the Rockets could probably sell Jackson on his role with the team (kind of like with Shanderson). We would love to have someone step it up in the post, although we, like Golden State, would want Jackson and our other big men to be able to draw the other teams' big men out as well. However, I still don't know about Jackson as our main center after Hakeem's gone. I don't think he's that much of a defensive presence. I'd take LaFrentz over Jackson. Hopefully we'll be able to work something out with Denver in the offseason. C'mon CD! Work your magic! ------------------
Saturday was a slow traffic day in the Rockets forum, so I just wanted to bring this to the top. ------------------
