Mark Kreidler: Team needs Bobby Jackson now

[EmKingsFan4]

Mark Kreidler: Team needs Bobby Jackson now



By Mark Kreidler -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 31, 2005


Bobby Jackson the slouch: Is there a less congruous image?



Does anything feel more out of place in the Kings' world than the notion of Jackson as a Tin Man? For a couple of years, one of the most dependable facets of the team was the full-bore effort up and down the floor that could routinely be counted on from two people, Doug Christie and Jackson. They were the backbone. They were the character guys.

"Last year," Jackson says, "I think a lot of people looked at me like, 'You know what? You cost us the playoffs.' "

Is there any corner of the basketball universe in which that thought gains serious traction? If there is, I'd love to see it. It must be the same place where Ron Artest is voted Citizen of the Year.

Yet here stands Jackson, accused and (by some) convicted of malingering his way through the playoffs last season. He had a strained abdomen, and he didn't play despite appearing at least capable of going through the motions during pre-game drills and the like; and he then endured the fallout, which was remarkably toxic for a player otherwise so well regarded.

His character was questioned. His judgment was questioned. It got so bad that at one point he found himself confronting teammate Chris Webber and demanding to know whether he had Jackson in mind when he spoke of the team's weak constitution.

Webber assured Jackson he wasn't thinking of him.

Can't say the same for everybody.

"I was really upset how the people talked about me in the paper, how they said I should have played and I was selfish for not playing," Jackson says. "They didn't know the whole story."

But Jackson left the door open to the criticism himself - and still leaves it open - by flatly stating he didn't want to play if he couldn't go at his customary tilt. The thing is, 85 percent of Jackson is better than 100 percent of a lot of NBA players. Can't blame Hoops Nation for latching on to that factoid.

"Last year, I just didn't choose to go out there because I knew I couldn't give the team 110 percent," Jackson says now. "Some people can do that. I can't. I like to go all out, play hard, do all of it, you know?"

Sure, sure. Still, here Jackson is, a person almost desperate to erase that image as a guy who can't stay healthy enough to make a difference for the Kings.

Problem is, he can't stay healthy enough to make a difference for the Kings.

Could Jackson help the Kings right now? Only in about a hundred ways - and Jackson knows most of them by heart. Put it this way: If Mike Bibby collapses in a puddle somewhere between now and Playoff Land, Jackson will be the one holding the mop and bucket.

"Me being out, it wears on Mike," Jackson says, glancing at his lamed left wrist, the one still in a brace months after the surgery to repair a torn ligament - the third time in three seasons the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year has missed significant numbers of games.

"Mike has played extremely well," he says of Bibby, "but he can't play 40 minutes a game forever. What point guard plays 40 minutes and averages 20 points and still has his legs under him when the playoffs come?"

Can't think of one offhand, but that's the situation Kings coach Rick Adelman is facing in the absence of a suitable alternative. In all the retooling of Team Violet achieved by Geoff Petrie and his peeps over the past couple of months, the one thing that didn't change was the crying need for someone in back of Bibby, who at last glance was playing - oh, I don't know - 49 of the available 48 minutes every night at the point.

The hope now is for Jackson's healing wrist, and the possibility - raised by Jackson himself, in optimistic moments over the past week or two - that the guard might be able to play during the final week of the regular season and then be ready for the Kings' playoff run, whatever that turns out to be.

Frankly, it looks like a stretch. The Jackson of today, just three weeks from season's end, cannot yet even manipulate the left wrist. He has developed a mean one-handed, unguarded jump shot on the practice floor, but you sort of get the feeling it might not be so effective in game action.

Still, Jackson in action is the only way to put this thing to rest, the bad taste from last year's playoffs, all of it. He needs to play. Petrie said way back in January that, injury or no injury, he planned to exercise his option on Jackson's contract for next season. That's too far off. No, Bobby Jackson needs to get back on the court now, or as soon to now as he can make it. He might never be 100 percent again in his career. It's not the same as saying he can't make the Kings a better team by showing up.

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12649551p-13502958c.html

 

[Team Dime]

Mark Kreidler: Team needs Bobby Jackson now



By Mark Kreidler -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 31, 2005


Bobby Jackson the slouch: Is there a less congruous image?



Does anything feel more out of place in the Kings' world than the notion of Jackson as a Tin Man? For a couple of years, one of the most dependable facets of the team was the full-bore effort up and down the floor that could routinely be counted on from two people, Doug Christie and Jackson. They were the backbone. They were the character guys.

"Last year," Jackson says, "I think a lot of people looked at me like, 'You know what? You cost us the playoffs.' "

Is there any corner of the basketball universe in which that thought gains serious traction? If there is, I'd love to see it. It must be the same place where Ron Artest is voted Citizen of the Year.

Yet here stands Jackson, accused and (by some) convicted of malingering his way through the playoffs last season. He had a strained abdomen, and he didn't play despite appearing at least capable of going through the motions during pre-game drills and the like; and he then endured the fallout, which was remarkably toxic for a player otherwise so well regarded.

His character was questioned. His judgment was questioned. It got so bad that at one point he found himself confronting teammate Chris Webber and demanding to know whether he had Jackson in mind when he spoke of the team's weak constitution.

Webber assured Jackson he wasn't thinking of him.

Can't say the same for everybody.

"I was really upset how the people talked about me in the paper, how they said I should have played and I was selfish for not playing," Jackson says. "They didn't know the whole story."

But Jackson left the door open to the criticism himself - and still leaves it open - by flatly stating he didn't want to play if he couldn't go at his customary tilt. The thing is, 85 percent of Jackson is better than 100 percent of a lot of NBA players. Can't blame Hoops Nation for latching on to that factoid.

"Last year, I just didn't choose to go out there because I knew I couldn't give the team 110 percent," Jackson says now. "Some people can do that. I can't. I like to go all out, play hard, do all of it, you know?"

Sure, sure. Still, here Jackson is, a person almost desperate to erase that image as a guy who can't stay healthy enough to make a difference for the Kings.

Problem is, he can't stay healthy enough to make a difference for the Kings.

Could Jackson help the Kings right now? Only in about a hundred ways - and Jackson knows most of them by heart. Put it this way: If Mike Bibby collapses in a puddle somewhere between now and Playoff Land, Jackson will be the one holding the mop and bucket.

"Me being out, it wears on Mike," Jackson says, glancing at his lamed left wrist, the one still in a brace months after the surgery to repair a torn ligament - the third time in three seasons the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year has missed significant numbers of games.

"Mike has played extremely well," he says of Bibby, "but he can't play 40 minutes a game forever. What point guard plays 40 minutes and averages 20 points and still has his legs under him when the playoffs come?"

Can't think of one offhand, but that's the situation Kings coach Rick Adelman is facing in the absence of a suitable alternative. In all the retooling of Team Violet achieved by Geoff Petrie and his peeps over the past couple of months, the one thing that didn't change was the crying need for someone in back of Bibby, who at last glance was playing - oh, I don't know - 49 of the available 48 minutes every night at the point.

The hope now is for Jackson's healing wrist, and the possibility - raised by Jackson himself, in optimistic moments over the past week or two - that the guard might be able to play during the final week of the regular season and then be ready for the Kings' playoff run, whatever that turns out to be.

Frankly, it looks like a stretch. The Jackson of today, just three weeks from season's end, cannot yet even manipulate the left wrist. He has developed a mean one-handed, unguarded jump shot on the practice floor, but you sort of get the feeling it might not be so effective in game action.

Still, Jackson in action is the only way to put this thing to rest, the bad taste from last year's playoffs, all of it. He needs to play. Petrie said way back in January that, injury or no injury, he planned to exercise his option on Jackson's contract for next season. That's too far off. No, Bobby Jackson needs to get back on the court now, or as soon to now as he can make it. He might never be 100 percent again in his career. It's not the same as saying he can't make the Kings a better team by showing up.

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12649551p-13502958c.html

If Jackson thought the criticism was bad last year, then it will be 10X as worse if he doesn't make it back this year. I personally don't like the notion of not playing just b/c you can't give 100%. As long as you can still play and help the team with your presence (giving Bibby valuabe rest) he should go out there. That's exactly what Webber did, what would have been said about him if he never came back since he couldn't give (110%). It's obvious that he'll never be able to a full strength ever again, yet he still tries instead of sitting on the sidelines collecting a contract.

 

[KingCookie]

We need a HEALTHY Jackson. A 75% Jackson isn't going to help us at all.

 

[ReinadelosReys]

1) I think we need a lot more than Bobby Jackson

2) Why don't they just come out and say it, call out that coward for who he is and say it was Grant Napear who started all of this "Bobby Jackson should have tried" BS.

 

[tyrant]

We need a HEALTHY Jackson. A 75% Jackson isn't going to help us at all.

i'll take a 50% bobby jackson over a 100% eddie house.

 

[love_them_kings]

1) I think we need a lot more than Bobby Jackson

2) Why don't they just come out and say it, call out that coward for who he is and say it was Grant Napear who started all of this "Bobby Jackson should have tried" BS.

I agree with both points. On point #1, I have to say that if our only hopes for success this year are hanging on an injured player that has been out for a large part of two seasons, we are in bad shape. I love BJax, but expecting him to save us is a little far fetched at this point. Could he help, yes, but you're right, it's going to take a lot more than BJax to help us this year.

On point #2, I have to say I lost all respect for Grant when he accused Bobby last year. Grant was around the year before when Bobby was playing with a broken face, you'd think he would give Bobby the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Team Dime]

So you guys think a player should sit if he's 75-80% just because he can't go full tilt?


I personally think that as long as you're not risking serious long term injury, that if you can walk, you should play. BoJax isn't doing us much good on the sidelines either.

 

[love_them_kings]

So you guys think a player should sit if he's 75-80% just because he can't go full tilt?


I personally think that as long as you're not risking serious long term injury, that if you can walk, you should play. BoJax isn't doing us much good on the sidelines either.

I think it just depends on the injury. Obviously if Bobby can't even manipulate his left wrist, he isn't ready to come back. I agree that players should push themselves to play as long as you're not risking serious injury.

BJax isn't helping us from the sidelines, and I know he will contribute when he can play, but when people make it sound like his return will solve the Kings problems I dont' think it's realistic. Even if he was 100% healthy, a BJax that is going to be rusty is not going to solve the problems our team is having right now.

 

[Bartking]

Remember when Bobby hurt his abdomen and came back early? He was missing everything, including layups. When Bobby does comes back, he's going to be putting up shots at a rate of 1.0 per possession....if he's hurting, he's going to be going 1 for 10 and costing us the game. I say that he should come back when he says he's ready.

 

[NumberFour]

"In all the retooling of Team Violet achieved by Geoff Petrie and his peeps over the past couple of months, the one thing that didn't change was the crying need for someone in back of Bibby, who at last glance was playing - oh, I don't know - 49 of the available 48 minutes every night at the point."

Bad article. We do have Eddie House, who played very well in the game against the Sixers. I wonder why he doesn't get more minutes...

 

[HndsmCelt]

And so the blame game begins... sad, sad, sad.

 

[Bricklayer]

So you guys think a player should sit if he's 75-80% just because he can't go full tilt?


I personally think that as long as you're not risking serious long term injury, that if you can walk, you should play. BoJax isn't doing us much good on the sidelines either.

I would agree with that -- if you;re not going to hurt it worse, get your *** out on court. But the thing wa, Bobby had an abdominal injury last year, and that's kind of like a hammy -- you CAN make it worse. If its not 100% healed , and you tear it up worse it can become a major injury.

 

[Insomniacal Fan]

His hamstring ain't keeping him away though, it's his wrist isn't it?

 

[VF21]

Oh geez.

It's NOT blame of anything.

Still, Jackson in action is the only way to put this thing to rest, the bad taste from last year's playoffs, all of it. He needs to play. Petrie said way back in January that, injury or no injury, he planned to exercise his option on Jackson's contract for next season. That's too far off. No, Bobby Jackson needs to get back on the court now, or as soon to now as he can make it. He might never be 100 percent again in his career. It's not the same as saying he can't make the Kings a better team by showing up.

What Kreidler has said is pretty accurate, IMHO.

As far as House being able to play large minutes, he is NOT Mike Bibby and he's not Bobby Jackson. He is not good at running the offense and he doesn't have much of anything special but an outside shot. He cannot split defenses...or if he can, I don't remember seeing it.

We DO need Bobby Jackson and I think if he can come back by the last week of the playoffs, even at something less than 100%, it would be a very big boost for the morale of the team and a way for Bibby to take a few well-deserved breathers.

 

[Bricklayer]

His hamstring ain't keeping him away though, it's his wrist isn't it?

That's this year. And of course it appears it still isn't remotely in the realm of being playable yet, so don't think we even have to talk about the current injury. Torn ligaments and surgery, and he still doesn't have range of motion 5 months later.

 

[VF21]

The hope now is for Jackson's healing wrist, and the possibility - raised by Jackson himself, in optimistic moments over the past week or two - that the guard might be able to play during the final week of the regular season and then be ready for the Kings' playoff run, whatever that turns out to be.

That looks at least marginally hopeful...better than nothing, anyway.

 

[Team Dime]

Oh geez.

It's NOT blame of anything.



What Kreidler has said is pretty accurate, IMHO.

As far as House being able to play large minutes, he is NOT Mike Bibby and he's not Bobby Jackson. He is not good at running the offense and he doesn't have much of anything special but an outside shot. He cannot split defenses...or if he can, I don't remember seeing it.

We DO need Bobby Jackson and I think if he can come back by the last week of the playoffs, even at something less than 100%, it would be a very big boost for the morale of the team and a way for Bibby to take a few well-deserved breathers.

I agree, if he's reasonably healthy, he HAS to give it a go this year. This may very well be his last chance in a Kings uniform (hopefully he'll be in a uniform at some point instead of his retro-jerseys).

 

[iheartBrad]

IMO he's damned if he does damned if he doesn't...some fans are gonna say we didn't do well or go far into the POs cuz Bobby chose to sit out cuz he wasn't 100% but at the same time if he DID come back and he didn't pick up where he left off cuz he was indeed NOT 100% (like he warned) people will still say we didn't do well or go far in the POs cuz Bobby came back when he really shouldn't of...

thats exactly what would happened...and if he doesn't make it to the POs this year the same will be said...

Personally, I love Bobby and would love to see him back in time for the POs but i also now he's a competitor and if he doesn't feel like he's can fairly contribute to the team im gonna take his word for it and continue to cheer on the rest of the guys...afterall how am i suppose to know how he feels only he truly knows...

 

[Team Dime]

IMO he's damned if he does damned if he doesn't...some fans are gonna say we didn't do well or go far into the POs cuz Bobby chose to sit out cuz he wasn't 100% but at the same time if he DID come back and he didn't pick up where he left off cuz he was indeed NOT 100% (like he warned) people will still say we didn't do well or go far in the POs cuz Bobby came back when he really shouldn't of...

thats exactly what would happened...and if he doesn't make it to the POs this year the same will be said...

Personally, I love Bobby and would love to see him back in time for the POs but i also now he's a competitor and if he doesn't feel like he's can fairly contribute to the team im gonna take his word for it and continue to cheer on the rest of the guys...afterall how am i suppose to know how he feels only he truly knows...

At the end of the day you get alot more respect for at least trying, especially for yourself.

 

[VF21]

The main problem if he doesn't play again this year will be justifying a future contract. The Kings have reportedly told him they're going to exercise the team option, and even that has to be questionable. He HASN'T played. In this business you simply can't continue to pay someone who isn't playing. We've done that, remember? Does the name Brent Price ring any bells?

I love Bobby and the energy/excitement he brings to the game WHEN HE'S ABLE to play. Right now, we're carrying TWO fan fave players who aren't playing AND might not be back at all this year unless we're lucky. And, even then, it's more likely to be Brad who comes back than Bobby.

If Bobby can get to where he can be 50-75% of his old self, he MUST get back on the court. He could spell Bibby, he could still spark the team when he came off the bench simply because of his frenetic energy. It's not an abdominal strain this time. It's a wrist - and it won't affect his running, etc.

If, on the other hand (no pun intended), the ligament is still so bad that he simply cannot function in any reasonable capacity, then I honestly have to ask if it would be in the team's best interests NOT to exercise their option on his contract. Emotional ties and loyalty can only account for so much. At some point you have to pull the plug...

 

[Bricklayer]

If, on the other hand (no pun intended), the ligament is still so bad that he simply cannot function in any reasonable capacity, then I honestly have to ask if it would be in the team's best interests NOT to exercise their option on his contract. Emotional ties and loyalty can only account for so much. At some point you have to pull the plug...

No, I still think you exercise it. But its so you can use him as an extra trade piece.

 

[VF21]

No, I still think you exercise it. But its so you can use him as an extra trade piece.

Good point.

...sigh...

WHY does it already seem like TDOS???

It's not even April yet.

...sigh again...

 

[Warhawk]

No, I still think you exercise it. But its so you can use him as an extra trade piece.

Agreed. If nothing else it is an expiring contract and a former 6th man at a bargain price if he can get healthy.

I am more concerned about Brad coming back in time for the PO than Bobby. With Brad in it would be easier to run the offence no matter who is playing point. Bobby doesn't help our size deficiency inside right now - Brad would....

 

[Twix]

IMO he's damned if he does damned if he doesn't...some fans are gonna say we didn't do well or go far into the POs cuz Bobby chose to sit out cuz he wasn't 100% but at the same time if he DID come back and he didn't pick up where he left off cuz he was indeed NOT 100% (like he warned) people will still say we didn't do well or go far in the POs cuz Bobby came back when he really shouldn't of...

thats exactly what would happened...and if he doesn't make it to the POs this year the same will be said...

Personally, I love Bobby and would love to see him back in time for the POs but i also now he's a competitor and if he doesn't feel like he's can fairly contribute to the team im gonna take his word for it and continue to cheer on the rest of the guys...afterall how am i suppose to know how he feels only he truly knows...

I agree with this whole post.

At the end of the day you get alot more respect for at least trying, especially for yourself.

Bobby said he plays when he thinks he's healthy enough. So if he plays when he don't think he's healthy, only doing it cause others are telling him, I don't know if he'll respect himself for that...

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

No, I still think you exercise it. But its so you can use him as an extra trade piece.

I thought we already annouced that we excersized the option a few weeks ago?

 

[Bricklayer]

I thought we already annouced that we excersized the option a few weeks ago?

Announced our intention -- don't think we actually did it yet. Just can see absolutely no reason not to, regardless of whether we intend to keep him or not. Has decent value as a trade piece even if he's injury prone -- small deal, talent, ending contract. Only exotic possibility I could see is if we had prearranged a sign and trade with somebody so we could not exercise the option, sign Bobby instead to a bigger deal + then trade him to another team for bigger $$ players in return. But just hard to imagine any team being THAT hot for Bobby after he's played in 20 of his last 100 games.

 

[KP]

Wait, aren't we only going to have to pay him like 3.something million anyway? Bobby Jacksons upside is well worth the slight risk(moneywise) we would be taking if we pick up his option. We can always do a sign and trade after next year and unless he completely falls off next season he will still be worth a decent player to some team out there. If he plays well, which is a distinct possibility, he'll be worth even more.

 

[PixelPusher]

Last season it was a question of mobility, now it will be a matter of him re-discovering his shooting touch (which has always been slightly above-average at best). He can bounce all over the court but if he goes 0-fer in a playoff game, everyone here will be screaming for Eddie House to come back in.

 

[AriesMar27]

if bobby cant move his wrist comfortably he should play..... what happens when he goes for a steal and the ball reinjures the wrist.... when it hits his hand? normally it wouldnt have any affect, but on an injured hand..... we have wasted a roster spot again..... poor special k.....

 

[EmKingsFan4]

i'll take a 50% bobby jackson over a 100% eddie house.

I hear that! Any minutes that BJax can give would be better than none at all...Mike needs someone to back him up even if it's just 10 -15 minutes a game.