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Warriors' Jackson, 'in a good mood after getting beat by 60,' provides comic relief
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Stephen Jackson covers his head during the final stages of an embarrassing loss to the Clippers.
Stephen Jackson has officially checked out.
No, he hasn't been traded -- yet. And no, he's not likely to stop playing hard and stop trying to win. But with the latest trade rumors having him possibly headed to Charlotte, it's clear that Jackson is no longer concerned with what happens to the Golden State Warriors.
It's a fact that should have been clear back in August when he said he wanted to be traded or when he resigned as captain of the team after his two-game suspension following his argument with coach Don Nelson and heated confrontation with Kobe Bryant.
But all doubt was removed Friday after the Warriors' 118-90 loss to the Clippers dropped them to 1-3 and grasping for answers. Four games into an already dreadful season, Jackson doesn't have a single technical foul (a possible indication of how little he cares) nor a sense of desperation that would normally accompany a 28-point loss to a team that started the year 0-4.
"Everything went wrong," Jackson said. "We got our asses whipped."
But that was the general consensus of the Warriors after their latest and most disappointing loss of the season. Jackson simply states things in brutally honest terms these days.
The interesting -- and almost funny, in a frustrating sort of way -- comments were of a more personal tone following his 17-point, six-rebound, four-turnover outing that included 6-of-14 shooting from the field.
"Everybody sees how we're playing. Everybody sees this team," he was quoted in The Chronicle. "I'm not the one who makes the changes, but everybody knows how I feel. I'm just going to go out there and do my job, and try to be as positive as I can. Right now, I think I'm doing a good job. I don't have any techs yet, and I'm in a good mood after getting beat by 60."
It's OK to chuckle. They didn't really lose by 60, but it sure felt that way -- to just about everyone expect Jackson, apparently. He's at peace with his play and his lot in life. He's here for as long as it takes to get traded and, to borrow one of the most overused clichés in sports right now, it is what it is.
"Hopefully, we don't go and get worse than that," he said so matter of factly that, again, you almost have to laugh to keep from burning your entire Warriors wardrobe and jumping ship to become a ... Kings fan? "We've got practice (Saturday), so we'll see what they've got to say and what they want us to work on.
"There's no one to blame. We just have to figure it out as a team, from top to bottom."
Jackson has already been fined and suspended enough this season, so he knows there's a clear line and makes sure not to cross it. He talks about what "they've" got to say and what "they" want us to work on, then talks about team and being willing to point the figure at himself -- all the while making it clear there's a great divide between player, coach and management.
"Sometimes the effort is there, but we're four games into the season and we've got guys hurt already. It's a terrible start and that does nothing but get contagious," he said. "If you're going to blame somebody, I'll take the blame. I've been doing it since I got here."
OK, the last quote wasn't funny. It's more bitter, but it's how he feels and offers more insight into why he wants out.
But we've been over all that and if we delve too deep into the serious issues, we won't be able to escape the realities facing this season and find the humor in what Jackson has to say. Like his comments about Warriors fans booing Baron Davis, who led the team to the playoffs in 2007 and 48 wins in 2008 before returning home to Los Angeles by signing a free-agent contract with the Clippers.
"Baron is a great player," Jackson said of his friend, whose departure he often links to the quick demise of the franchise. "What upsets me is they boo him but they have short memories. They forgot the reason they're still coming here is because of what he did when he was here. The organization was in the trash can before we had that year."
Yes, go ahead and laugh. It beats the alternative. Just don't think about it too hard because sometimes the truth can hurt and right now, anyone who follows the Warriors needs to appreciate the lighter side Jackson and his wild comments provide. Because once he's gone, all that will remain is a team that just lost to the Clippers by 28 points (not 60) and appears headed full speed toward another trip to the lottery.
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