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Chron: Jackson is apple of his coach's eye "he's coach's pet."

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Rob English, Dec 8, 2003.

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  1. Rob English

    Rob English Member

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    http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/2278443


    Jackson is apple of his coach's eye
    Van Gundy praises 'pet' for hard work
    By MEGAN MANFULL
    Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle


    Jim Jackson cannot help it if Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy always compliments him.

    It happens during practice. It happens during games. And it happens after games.

    Following Saturday night's victory over Detroit in which Yao Ming finished with a career-high 20 rebounds, a reporter asked Van Gundy if Yao's rebounding took the Pistons -- a typically strong rebounding team -- out of their game. Van Gundy didn't mention Yao in his reply. Instead, he talked about Detroit's big men. And later, the only Rockets player he called out by name was Jackson, whom he praised for his six rebounds.

    "Coach always compliments him," Maurice Taylor said. "And we kind of mess with him a little bit, because we say he's coach's pet."

    The more Jackson appears bothered by the nickname, the more the players enjoy taunting him with it.

    "He don't like it too much, but hell, people in jail don't like being there," Taylor said. "Some things you've just gotta live with."

    Jackson has earned his most recent praise for simply playing the game he has become known for the past few seasons. With a 6-6, 220-pound frame, Jackson is often going against taller athletes at the three position. But he doesn't give in to their size.

    He has used his quickness and strength to give the Rockets a big boost on defense, especially in rebounding. The Rockets played two strong rebounding teams in consecutive nights, and each game Jackson came up with big boards. Against New Orleans on Friday, he collected eight rebounds. Saturday, he had six to help Houston outrebound Detroit 47-32.

    "I just have tried to help out our big men, especially against the last two teams, because they have some great rebounders," Jackson said. "They are boxing out, so what I tried to do was take those long rebounds away and get in there and rebound. That's something we've all got to do."

    Jackson seems to have quickly found his niche with the Rockets, who signed him as a free agent on Sept. 30. It is his 10th team in 12 NBA seasons.

    Jackson has constantly adapted his game to his situation. He can score when needed, having averaged 15.5 points a game in his career. He can run the point when the guards are under pressure and give out assists. And as he has shown recently, he can rebound.

    "Life is about adjustments," Jackson said. "You've got to play different roles, wear different hats. Again, it's a matter of sacrificing your game for the betterment of the team in order to win.

    "Over the last few years, in order to carve my niche on different teams I had to do something different every year. (Being physical) is just something else I have to do to maintain why I'm on the court."

    While Van Gundy has definitely noticed Jackson's contributions, so have his teammates. They might rib him about all the positive reinforcement he receives, but they can't help but offer up their own praise.

    Of course, even the praise has a little teasing that goes along with it.

    "He's the type of guy -- that utility guy -- that every team has," Taylor said. "Defensively, he plays really hard, because a lot of nights, he's overmatched. At the three (small forward), he has the taller guy. But he makes up for it with his strength and his determination to keep them out of the paint and things like that.

    "He's strong for his size. I always tease him and say he's a medium guy. We call him, `Medium.' But he plays real hard and never lets his size determine the type of game that the other guy is going to have."
     
    #1 Rob English, Dec 8, 2003
  2. topfive

    topfive CF OG

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    Sure, Mo. Tell it to Cadillac Anderson.
     
    #2 topfive, Dec 8, 2003
  3. ragingFire

    ragingFire Contributing Member

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    I like Jeff singling out JJ for praise.

    Not Steve, not Cat nor Yao. They each can have good games, but they frustrate me sometimes with their bad habits.

    JJ is a guy that plays the game the right way all the time. His shooting can improve but you can't fault him for taking the right shots.

    Pike also plays the game right, his only problem is that he is a half-step slow.
     
    #3 ragingFire, Dec 8, 2003
  4. ricerocket

    ricerocket Member

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    Here is your PG to let Steve AND Cat roam. I still advocate the point forward!

    Exactly why he should bring it up and work the top of the key instead of Steve. Taller, slower players can't hang with him and he is an excellent passer with a low turnover ratio. If they back off he is capable all the way to the 3 line.

    :cool: :D
     
    #4 ricerocket, Dec 8, 2003
  5. Visagial

    Visagial Member

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    From the last few Chronicle articles you can tell that JVG is absolutely sick and tired of talking about Yao. I think he's doing everything he can to not criticize him in public but what's unsaid is JVG thinks Yao has got a lot of improving to do.

    Coach isn't ready to annoint him savior of the franchise like the media seems to want to. Good for Yao in the long run. Give the coach 20/20 or 20/15 the rest of the year, and he'll show you the love.
     
    #5 Visagial, Dec 8, 2003
  6. okierock

    okierock Member

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    I think it says a lot about JVG that his praise goes to the guy that plays his position hard and within the "system", not to the guys with the best stats. I also like the fact that JJ, who was once labled a "cancer", is the consumate team player.

    My kudos to JJ.
    and to the rest of the Rockets for winning by playing mean and nasty hard nosed ball.

    I love the fact that JVG is making the Rockets into a tough, defense oriented, blue collar team. Not some pansy all flash and no substance team like the Mavs. I know the Mavs win a lot and are fun to watch. Personally I would rather watch a team with guys who may not be the most tallented but have heart and will claw and fight to get a W. Cuban can try to buy a championship every year but the Rockets are doing it the old fashioned way they are going to EARN it.
     
    #6 okierock, Dec 8, 2003
  7. olliez

    olliez Member

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    Last time I checked, JVG is married with children and Yao has a steady girlfriend

    :eek:
     
    #7 olliez, Dec 8, 2003
  8. oliver_67

    oliver_67 Member

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    Wow, only after Yao averages 20-20 or 20-15 for the season will the coach show him some love?

    Well, not even Shaq is ready to get some love from his coach anyway.
     
    #8 oliver_67, Dec 8, 2003
  9. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    The article reminded me of those army movies (and I guess they do it in real life too) where the boot camp drill sergeant picks out his one whipping boy and his one golden child so he can play mind games on the new recruits.
     
    #9 JuanValdez, Dec 8, 2003
  10. Nolen

    Nolen Member

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    Man, the Chronicle is really digging for stuff to write about. Jackson get eight rebounds and then six the next game? I mean, I'm glad we have him, nothing against him, but... so what?
     
    #10 Nolen, Dec 8, 2003
  11. Visagial

    Visagial Member

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    Do you doubt even Shaq would get no love from this coach? :)

     
    #11 Visagial, Dec 8, 2003
  12. robbarnett

    robbarnett Member

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    I agree. You can see from other posts on this site that yao responds well to JVG pulling him aside one on one and having a word to him. In Yao's 'journals' he always talks about how he is afraid when coach takes him aside for a word, so it has a stronger influence on him.

    I was really worried when we lost Posey that we would be screwed, but jackson has taken over that role really well. He's been pretty much consistent all year and deserves the praise he is getting. I don't really like the idea of having him as a point forward, I think the role he is filling now is exactly what he is best at and I wouldnt like to force him intoa game that he is a natural at.
     
    #12 robbarnett, Dec 8, 2003
  13. TheFreak

    TheFreak Member

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    Is anyone else tired of reading quotes from Mo Taylor? Is he like the only guy that'll talk? SHUT UP already.
     
    #13 TheFreak, Dec 8, 2003
  14. kh0001

    kh0001 Member

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    I second that.

    KH
     
    #14 kh0001, Dec 8, 2003
  15. Uprising

    Uprising Member

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    Thatis interesting. I mean if we are playing against teams which have a bigger and slower 3, this could work.
     
    #15 Uprising, Dec 8, 2003
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