Stephen Jackson has problems on most teams he plays for in the NBA, but for some reason he fits in well in San Antonio.
Jackson had his breakthrough season with the Spurs back in ’02-’03, which helped him earn a contract with the Atlanta Hawks. Jackson jumped around to four other teams over the next eight seasons. He had a notable 30-game suspension for his role in the brawl in Indiana, a 7-game suspension for firing a gun outside a strip club, and he has had numerous team or league-issued suspensions for minor infractions since. He admitted he quit on the Bobcats, and he successfully forced his way out of Milwaukee last season.
That long list of missteps doesn’t seem to bother Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who loves Jackson.
“I love his sense of humor and I love his competitiveness,” Popovich said Sunday, via the Star-Telegram. “He gives us a little bit of an edge.
“It’s great to have him, and the guys really appreciate him, especially Timmy (Duncan). He’s been one of Timmy’s favorite players through the years, so it’s great having him back with the squad.”
Are we talking about the same Stephen Jackson? The guy who seems to be a problem everywhere he goes? I guess the Spurs like the enforcer role he plays and the way he threatens opposing players. Or maybe Jackson made up with Duncan by finally letting the big man rap on his album.
