Golden State Warriors’ forward Stephen Jackson has had quite the eventful off-season. He’s asked to be traded out of town and even given up his captain status on the Warriors. His latest shenanigan? Saying that he is as good of a player as Kobe Bryant. Yeah, it’s going to be a fun season in California.
“I’m not going to bow down. I’m not a fan of Kobe. I’m not somebody who looks up to him. I’m a grown man myself. So when I go out there and play the game, I play the game. I feel like I’m just as good as him. I might not get the publicity or notoriety he gets, but I feel like I can play with anybody in the NBA any given night.”
Despite his many emotional and character flaws, Jackson can still be an effective offensive force in the league. I would prefer he stayed with the Warriors, who will be one of the funnest teams to watch this season, but if he were to leave Cali, how does Miami sound? Miami was in the market for Carlos Boozer when Utah had him on the market, so it seems like they have some money to spend.
Coming into the season, Michael Beasley is slated to be the starter at the small forward position, but because of his personal troubles this off-season it is likely that he lost some value in the eyes of the coaching staff. Not to say that Jackson is not a head case, but he is a veteran presence who averaged 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists a game last season. Moving Beasley to the bench isn’t a bad move. He’s still young and could use another year of learning the offense as he gains his peers confidence.
I like the Heat in the East this season, at least to contend. It’s basketball season folks, and tomorrow, we start our NBA previews.
