Out of the four major professional U.S. sports leagues, the NBA probably boasts the most prima donnas.
The latest NBA blabbermouth to show seemingly ingratitude and disrespect to the league and his current team is the Golden State Warriors’ swingman Stephen Jackson (above photo).
Yes, this is the same Stephen Jackson who participated in the Malice at The Palace and was suspended 30 games in ’04.
Yes, this is the same Stephen Jackson who has played for five NBA teams during only nine seasons in the league.
Yes, this is the same Stephen Jackson who’ll sink 7-for-8 from 3-point range one game and then clink 1-for-10 the next.
Jackson’s a good NBA player. Not a great one.
For his career, the versatile guard/forward averages 15.8 points and close to 4 boards a game. He’s never been an All-Star. However, he was a vital component in the San Antonio Spurs’ run during their 2002-2003 championship season.
Over the past few seasons with Golden State, Jackson has righted the ship from the Detroit malee and other off-court incidents, proving he can be a team captain and go-to-guy in any given situation.
So despite Jackson’s apparent prima donna talk, there’s legitimacy in his words and his stance against the Warriors. He simply wants to win, and the Warriors have shown no inclination in doing that since upsetting the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2007 NBA playoffs.
Since '07, Jackson has watched in disbelief as many of his buddies from the roster, like Baron Davis, like Al Harrington, like Jason Richardson and like Matt Barnes depart via trade or free agency to other NBA organizations.
Over the past few seasons with Golden State, Jackson has righted the ship from the Detroit malee and other off-court incidents, proving he can be a team captain and go-to-guy in any given situation.
So despite Jackson’s apparent prima donna talk, there’s legitimacy in his words and his stance against the Warriors. He simply wants to win, and the Warriors have shown no inclination in doing that since upsetting the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2007 NBA playoffs.
Since '07, Jackson has watched in disbelief as many of his buddies from the roster, like Baron Davis, like Al Harrington, like Jason Richardson and like Matt Barnes depart via trade or free agency to other NBA organizations.
Now he’s fed up.
Last season, the Warriors went a pathetic 29-53 and from the sounds of their training camp mess this year may be even worse.
Last month, Jackson was fined $25,000 by the league for publicly demanding a trade.
In actuality, the entire Golden State Warriors organization should be reprimanded for screwing up one of the most promising, exciting squads in the game two short seasons ago.
Last season, the Warriors went a pathetic 29-53 and from the sounds of their training camp mess this year may be even worse.
Last month, Jackson was fined $25,000 by the league for publicly demanding a trade.
In actuality, the entire Golden State Warriors organization should be reprimanded for screwing up one of the most promising, exciting squads in the game two short seasons ago.
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