Stephen Jackson breaks Rule No. 1 of Leadership 101

November 29, 10:42 AMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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If Stephen Jackson is going to take this leadership thing seriously, he's going to need some help.

Late Friday night, Jackson failed Leadership 101.

In the days and weeks leading up to his contract extension, Jackson said all the right things about wanting to be in Golden State for the long haul and wanting to be a part of turning this thing around.

Great start.

But now that the ink on the extension is dry, and the Warriors are losing with what appears to be a bunch of mismatched pieces, this is the time for Jackson to "EARN" the leadership mantle.

And he didn't do it after the loss to Cleveland.

After a game in which the Warriors had more turnovers (14) than assists (13), with Jackson getting three of each, he had this to say:

"Coach (Don Nelson) came in and said the youngsters are looking at us and not doing it, so I guess it's us. I thought I was leading the team in assists, wasn't I? So I know it ain't me."

Rule No. 1 of Leadership 101 is to always include yourself in any criticism of teammates or the team.

Jackson didn't do that.

He may very well be leading the team in assists (6.4).

But c'mon.

Everyone knows Jackson has the ball way more than anyone else on the team so he's going to lead the team in assists. We all agree with a tip of the cap he can do that.

But his assist-to-turnover ratio is 3-to-2, which is pretty poor.

And yes, it needs to be said that Jackson deserves credit for taking on all kinds of added responsibility in the Warriors' offense.

But saying "it ain't me," about an issue or problem  that at the very, very least INCLUDES you is about the worst thing he could have said.

Jackson might be leading the team in assists, but he's no more a willing passer than Corey Maggette, Jamal Crawford or Kelenna Azubuike.

Jackson's just got the ball in his hands more.

By the look and sound of things, Jackson's going to be around here for a long, long time. He's got five years remaining on his contract, and he's already expressed a desire to move into management when his playing days are over.

For better or worse, Jackson IS the Warriors.

He's their captain, minutes leader, scoring leader and assist leader. How can anything having to do with the offense NOT be about him to some extent?

Jackson's credibility takes a hit on two fronts here ... first for saying what he said in the first place and second for not being accurate about what he said.

By the way, Rule No. 2 in Leadership 101 is to admit mistakes.