As much as everyone loves JJ, the fact is he's slowing down. I think at his age he's probably better suited to the role of supersub, as it's no secret that we had one of the lowest scoring benches of all the playoff teams. I remember everyone was screaming to bring him in last offseason before Jimmy signed up, and I was wondering if there was still any interest in him. He had very respectable numbers last season: 18ppg, 4rpg, 3apg, 1.8spg, 42% shooting from the field, 36% from distance. I'd love to sign him; he'd likely give us the hometown discount, but would still probably command the full MLE. So, knowing that signing him would probably eliminate our chance to acquire a serviceable PF through free agency, would you sign Stephen Jackson? If we could acquire someone like a Donyell Marshall or Al Harrington or Kurt Thomas via trade, I would in a heartbeat.
JVG is preaching changing the roster and bringing smart players who don't make mistakes and turn the ball over. SJ isn't that, never will be. Pass. Esp for the full MLE.
SJ is someone that desperately needs shots to be effective and we all know there are not enough shots to go around as is.
You forgot his most important stat: 2.79 TOs as a SG who doesn't bring the ball up or initiate the offense.
and as bad as our turn over problem is, we definitely don't need another player who can't take care of the ball.
I'll admit, I don't really know a whole lot about the guy's game, but from what I do know, the idea is kind of intriguing. First off, yeah, the turnovers do look bad. But that whole TEAM had a problem with turnovers. As bad as Jackson was, Jason Terry still turned the ball over more often. Let's be honest, it was a BAD team--bad teams generally don't control the ball very well and so I don't think the high turnovers are completely indicative of the way Jackson plays ball. The guy is a career 43% shooter, which while it isn't unbelievably impressive, is still pretty solid--and it's obvious that the guy knows how to score. The guy's got good size at 6'8" which could really help to shore up our small forward spot, which is undoubtedly the weakest in the lineup. I think one of the keys to this idea is 1) if we can lure McGrady to Houston and 2) if we can sign the ideal point guard for this team. In my opinion, that means one that doesn't need to score to be successful. If we had weapons like Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, and Stephen Jackson on the offensive end, a good point guard should easily be able to find some assists. I'm also under the impression that Jackson is a pretty decent defensive player as well, but again, I'm not exactly a Stephen Jackson expert. Is there anyone out there who has seen more of this guy and can give some more details about his game? He just strikes me as a good complementary player if he can cut his turnovers a little.
I like him, but would only take him in a sign and trade (where I could balance the team more to my liking).
SJ proved a lot to me last season by putting up numbers without the benefit of double downs on Tim Duncan. SJ can just flat out shoot! However defensively he is very average and that's where JJ has an advantage over him. Somehow I just dont see SJ here. I think he will resign with the Spurs. I think the Spurs will let Hedo walk. He punked out in the playoffs.
I doubt he would give a "hometown" discount... since he already foolishly left money on the table with SA after this past year where he could pad his stats (since he was the no. 2 option for half the season) I think he might be trying to cash in for a real deal ...and some team will give it to him this time
I didn't mean to imply that he will get a 7 year 70 M deal... but he will at least get better than the 3 yr. 10 M offer he rejected from San Antonio... so no "hometown" discount (which is more an Astro excuse for not paying market value....as infalted as that may be)
Stephen Jackson helped win a championship by hitting big shots in San Antonio... 2.79 turnovers on an Atlanta team that starts Joel Przybilla at center? Who was he going to pass to? 2.79 turnovers aren't bad considering he was triple teamed, and still was erupting for 40 points a night on several occasions. Stephen Jackson is a winner and he's long... I'd take him in a heartbeat if he was at 4 mil a year. I'm also intrigued at Boki's play. This year should be the year that he makes the biggest strides. That being said, 4 mil a year is a safe investment.
