Word out of Cleveland is that the Cavaliers were gravely disappointed to see Stephen Jackson shipped to Charlotte. It's their own fault -- the Warriors had to laugh at the mention of Wally Szczerbiak or Delonte West -- but they seem to feel Jackson could be a vital contributor to their playoff run.
"I'm a big fan of Jack," LeBron James told reporters. "I'm all for guys, no matter who they are, coming to this team and representing a winning mentality. Stephen Jackson could really help us. I thought Charlotte got a really good player. I was looking forward, if it would happen, to him coming here."
Jackson has a couple of supporters in coach Mike Brown, who coached him as an assistant in San Antonio, and general manager Danny Ferry, a teammate with the Spurs during the 2001-02 and '02-03 seasons. As for Jackson's reputation, LeBron said, "I don't judge a book by its cover. Whatever happened in someone's past, there's no reason for me to put that in their future. When they get here, I don't judge what they've gone through before. We've got some big influences in this locker room, a lot of guys who stay positive and want to help each other."
It's safe to say the feeling is mutual in this scenario. Jackson wants to join Cleveland in the worst way. He'd have one major concern -- the team losing to Boston or Orlando in the playoffs, followed by LeBron's exit to the free-agent market -- but I'm sure he'd be willing to take that risk. Whatever you feel about Jackson, he was born for the big moment, the important games. He doesn't always come through (recall his dismal playoff series against Utah in '07), but he walks onto the court with purpose.
Who doesn't look like that? Well, try Monta Ellis in that same series. Admittedly, he was young and inexperienced (in his second NBA season), but Ellis had a deer-in-the-headlights look throughout those playoffs, to the point where Don Nelson simply couldn't afford to play him. Ellis is an older, wiser, more jaded man today, and it would be interesting to see how he responds to playoff pressure if the Warriors trade him.
As for Stephen Curry, getting a crash course in NBA negativity, he had to be gratified by LeBron's postgame gesture last night. James made a point of approaching Curry, giving him a warm embrace and, by all accounts, telling him to stay focused and ride out the Warriors' storm. LeBron obviously sees the talent and humility within this kid, and Curry should take that to heart.
Meanwhile, look for Cleveland to keep pursuing Jackson. He could easily fall out of favor with panicky Charlotte coach Larry Brown, who always seems willing to trade half his roster, and I'll guarantee you Jackson will be making some ugly noise once he realizes how bad the Bobcats really are. Well worth watching at the trading deadline.
