Pops- This site is one of the best sites out there. You are one of the key reasons. You are perhaps our franchise player. Of course, Clutch and his team are the best management team and role players like Crispee, Nike, TheFreak, ZRB, Scarface, Aelliot, and numerous other vets make this site what it is. Oops, forgot the other franchise player. Just kidding Doc. You have not been around lately. You must be injured. I have you on the IR, but it is almost time for you to come back. ------------------ Fuggetabout it
Pops with the bomb again. However, I do have to disagree with the proposed quandry facing Golden State with the potential absence of Marc Jackson's services. Those guys have been super keen on Dampier from day one. Sure, he's another Cato, but I don't think they've given up on his "potential." Throw in Foyle, and they've still got 2 big guys that can play the 5 spot. I'm not saying either one of those guys are any good, but every indication out here (aka the Bay Area) is that management still loves those guys. ------------------
I think when I used "cajoling" I was attempting to strengthen my arguemt that the Warriors are in a postion of great disadvantage. And, an olive branch as you suggested, in lieu of nothing, may be offered. More importantly, if we had some redundant players that we felt could be replaced with some Golden Sate players (or used for our purposes as immediate fodder in a third party side deal) we would be able to offer the Warriors some alternatives to the ..... aforesaid "nothing" in return. ------------------
I don't want to be typecast as a Marc Jackson hater. I think that MARC JACKSON IS A GOOD PLAYER. And now that Hakeem has gone away, if the alternative is relying on Cato and Collier at center, the Rockets should by all means pursue Jackson. Is that clear enough? But I am trying to debunk some of the more enthusiastic claims about him, so you have a realistic picture of what you might be getting. He was not a good one-on-one defender last year, and he had absolutely no defensive presence in terms of denying penetration or challenging shots. Maybe it was the groin injury limiting his mobility, or maybe it was a fear of foul trouble. But when Dampier went out for knee surgery & Jackson became the starter, the Warriors dropped very quickly from the middle of the league in defensive FG% to dead LAST. It was not a coincidence. As a result, I don't think he's a good fit in the starting lineup of any team -- particularly in the Western Conference -- whose PF is questionable defensively, whether it's the Rockets (and Mo Taylor), Sonics (Vin Baker), or Warriors (Danny Fortson). I could, however, see him starting more effectively for an Eastern team with a solid defender at PF (for example, Indiana with Jermaine O'Neal, or Detroit with Ben Wallace). And while I understand why he's considered a strong "hustle" player, I do think that aspect of his reputation is overrated. Aside from his generally soft defense, as noted earlier, let me give you an example that some of you may remember: In one of the GS-Houston games in Oakland, a Rockets semi-fast break saw Cuttino Mobley spotting up for a 3-pointer just as Jackson was (as usual) the last Warrior getting back on defense. Rather than continue into the paint to fight for rebounding position, Jackson veered to his right, halfheartedly raising a hand toward Mobley from a few steps away, then without breaking stride jogged upcourt in hopes of cherry-picking a long outlet pass. Unfortunately, the shot missed, and the rebound went straight to Kenny Thomas all alone in front of the basket, because his man was 60 feet away. KT celebrated his good fortune with a vicious dunk. You tell me where the f---ing hustle was on that play. [Note: I b****ed about this sequence at the time -- if only there was a search function I could use to prove it! ] I also have to disagree with CBFC's assessment of Jackson as a humble, self-aware overachiever. He made statements toward the end of the season about not accepting a smaller role next year, and not returning if he wasn't going to be a frequent low-post option -- and one local beat writer has said that this "I'm the star of this team" attitude appears to be one of GS management's concerns about bringing him back. But that doesn't mean he's a bad player. 6'10 players who can score both inside and outside are worth something in the NBA, period. Especially when your alternatives are Cato and Collier. ------------------ "I personally wouldn't give up my college years for anything. It was the funnest time I have ever had. But with the money they are getting, you can't blame a kid for coming out." —Jazz forward Scott Padgett, demonstrating the value of a college education [This message has been edited by Swopa (edited August 02, 2001).]
I will agree somewhat. They like Dampier but he has had major injury lay ups and is far from dependable. I heard mid season last year that his health problems were "starting to get behind him" and they were talking him up a lot. Frankly I thought it was more an attempt by management to unload him when he showed a spark within a brief court time appearance. But let's face it, they would unload him for a couple of coupons to the Alcatraz if the offer arose. Their entire roster is heavy in front men and the most talented may be the 6'10" guy they are about to lose. Regardless of the roster and it's plethora of "potential" big men, they are a far weaker team without Jackson. Ooops, forgot to mention .... I was really impressed with Adonal Foyle last year. He was formidable in some matchups. But let me ask you this ..... if you were AJ who would you rather have in the middle in your offensive attack .... Jackson or Foyle? ------------------ [This message has been edited by oeilpere (edited August 01, 2001).]
You have to admit Swopa, Marc Jackson WAS a rookie, so a lot of what you saw might have been rookie mistakes, or having trouble quickly adjusting to the NBA. Considering he IS a rookie, a lot of his problems could be remedied by being on a solid team like the Rockets. Not to putdown Golden State, but they never really had their true team out there because of injuries. I think the numbers he put up were pretty solid for a rookie big man on a depleted team with no veteran influence. ------------------ What if I say to you that the universe is a three-legged horse, eh? What then? - Russell Hoban
