(Free agent)Stephen Jackson would love to play for Rockets

Why don't Rockets sign him?????


Stephen Jackson said he would love to play Rockets:

"Chances are that Jackson would prefer to stay nearer to home, with the Spurs or the Houston Rockets. Jackson told The Port Arthur News that he would love to play in Houston but he had not received any contact from any Rockets officials.

"I would love to play in Houston," Jackson said. "That's a dream. That's a perfect situation... like Kobe (Bryant) to play at home in Philly."

The addition of Tracy McGrady enhances the Rockets' appeal for many free agents in the upcoming weeks. Jackson did not feel the idea of signing with Houston was unrealistic."
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Jackson eyes Spurs' interest

By Tom Halliburton - The News sports writer
Tim Duncan and Stephen Jackson have kept in touch. Do not be surprised if they are reunited in the next couple of weeks.

The NBA's annual two-week bargaining window for free agents started on Thursday and Port Arthur's Jackson figured the San Antonio Spurs, with their superstar Duncan, owned the inside track on re-acquiring the former Spurs player.

NBA regulations prohibit the announcements of any free-agent contracts prior to July 14.

This promises to be the type of pay raise that Jackson should like. The former Lincoln standout should jump to at least the $5 or $6 million range after playing extremely well for a "mere" $1 million last winter with the Atlanta Hawks.

Atlanta's leading scorer last season, Jackson set career highs with 18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.78 steals after spending the previous two seasons with Popovich and the Spurs.

An unrestricted free agent, Jackson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution by phone that he did not expect to return to the Hawks next season. Jackson cited the Hawks recent draft of Josh Childress, Josh Smith and Donta Smith as indications why he should look elsewhere.

"They've got three kids similar to my position," Jackson said. "Atlanta is a place I'd love to be but they are in a rebuilding situation and they have to do what's best for the team."

Chances are that Jackson would prefer to stay nearer to home, with the Spurs or the Houston Rockets. Jackson told The Port Arthur News that he would love to play in Houston but he had not received any contact from any Rockets officials.

"I would love to play in Houston," Jackson said. "That's a dream. That's a perfect situation... like Kobe (Bryant) to play at home in Philly."

The addition of Tracy McGrady enhances the Rockets' appeal for many free agents in the upcoming weeks. Jackson did not feel the idea of signing with Houston was unrealistic.

"I wouldn't say that," he said. "Anything's possible being a free agent and Houston always has the advantage of being at home. I'm weighing all my options and if Houston's the best place for me, and they would come with the best situation for me and my family, then I'm going for it."

By maintaining a good rapport with Duncan and former coach Gregg Popovich, Jackson easily may discover his best situation can remain in San Antonio. Only this summer, the 26-year-old Jackson wants the longer-term security that the Spurs would not offer last summer.

Once Jackson went shopping, he found few interested suitors. Then he responded with a standout season in Atlanta.

Duncan contacted Jackson after this season, telling Stevie that he definitely wanted Jackson to return to the Spurs. NBA regulations prohibited Popovich from making some communication before Thursday.

Jackson sounded enthusiastic about the idea of returning to San Antonio.

"I was a big part in them winning that (2003 NBA) championship," Jackson said. "I think the main reason they lost (to the Lakers in the Western Conference playoffs) was because they couldn't hit outside shots... When you have guys that aren't hitting shots, it definitely takes away from Tim Duncan's game.

"That's why Tim Duncan was able to play so well and I was able to play so well. I got open shots off Tim and guys weren't able to double off me to stop Tim from playing one-on-one. Each team needs other guys as role players and I think I fit in real well in San Antonio."

Jackson cited his close relationship with Popovich as a critical reason why San Antonio owned the inside track to retaining his services. Jackson described Popovich as a father figure.

"Pop is like a father away from home," Jackson said. "Me and Pop definitely had our differences but our differences at the time were set up because he was trying to do what was best for the organization and I was looking out for what was best for myself."

Popovich and the Spurs have other in-house free-agent decisions to make this summer, such as whether to retain the services of guard Manu Ginobili and wing man Bruce Bowen.

Ginobili has been reported to have an interest in the Denver Nuggets. The Spurs also are said to be one of many teams looking into the possibility of acquiring Kobe Bryant.

Bob West column for Sunday, June 27

EDITOR'S NOTE: Port Arthur News sports editor Bob West is on vacation. While he's working on his golf game, he left behind some of his favorite columns. Today's column was originally printed on June 10, 1980.
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http://www.panews.com/articles/2004/07/02/sports/news03 copy.txt

 

what would you think if we landed S. Jackson???????