Stephen Jackson On His Comeback: ‘NBA Or Nothing, Man’

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Stephen Jackson has been one of the more enigmatic players of the last 15 years. After heading to Oak Hill for his senior year of high school, Jackson went to Butler Community College of El Dorado in Kansas but was deemed ineligible and jumped to the League in 1997 without ever playing a college game. He bounced around overseas before solidifying himself in the NBA, eventually scoring 20 a night for three consecutive seasons. Captain Jack is also infamously known for the ‘Malice at the Palace’ and more recently getting into it with Steve Francis at a Houston club. Now, after two years out of the NBA, he is making a legit attempt to land back on a roster and physically looks the part.

While at the Ludaday game in ATL, where he played with the likes of Dwight Howard and Lou Williams, we talked to Stak5 about his comeback attempt, what he can bring to a team and if he is considering other options if the League does not work out. Check it:

SLAM: What’s the grind been like for during this comeback attempt?

Stephen Jackson: My whole career, I’ve never had no serious injuries or no surgeries. These last seven months, I’ve been doing two-a-days to get ready. I know I have a good two years left and hopefully I can help somebody.

SLAM: You’ve been a fixture down here in Atlanta lately. Why here and not back home in Texas?

SJ: I’ve been living here most of the time since I played for the Hawks. I’ve been here for around 10 years and I moved out to Alpharetta for my two-a-days, so I’m feeling good.

SLAM: Have you considered the D-League or possibly going overseas? Or is it NBA or bust?

SJ: NBA or nothing, man. I don’t need the money. I just want to give back to the game. Anything else is a step down, so I just want to give the NBA a shot.

SLAM: After having a couple of years away from the game, what made you all of a sudden decide to try to get back to the League?

SJ: I’ve been been playing basketball at a high level and my body feels great. I got calls from different coaches who have seen me work out and they know I can still play. I’ve got two years left, so why not give it back to the game?

SLAM: The younger generation knows you more for the Steve Francis incident than they do for your game itself. Is that part of the reason that you want to get back on the court?

SJ: The thing is, I’m one of those rare competitors in everything I do. Guys don’t compete as well as they used to. I’m one of those rare competitors who care about locking down on defense and doing what I’m supposed to do.

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Photo courtesy of David Walker

The post Stephen Jackson On His Comeback: ‘NBA Or Nothing, Man’ appeared first on SLAMonline.

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Confident Kyrie Irving says ‘nothing’ could hinder Team USA gold chase

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Kyrie Irving is feeling quite good about Team USA’s chances at the Rio Olympics.

Irving told reporters that he doesn’t really see any reason why the Americans should be tripped up in their chase for a gold medal.

“I don’t know…nothing,” Irving said Thursday when asked what could stop Team USA, via Michael Lee of the Vertical. “Honestly, that should be our attitude. If things get hard, we should be able to withstand it. And we’ll be ready for anything.”

Is Irving right? Well, yes. Rationally, nobody should really be able to challenge Team USA. That doesn’t mean, however, it’s a foregone conclusion. There are a few teams that could, conceivably, throw the Americans off on their quest. They’re right to be confident, but avoiding overconfidence and complacency will be vital.

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Hue Jackson downplays Josh McCown trade rumors: ‘There is nothing to it’

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The Cleveland Browns aren’t ready to move quarterback Josh McCown, at least if coach Hue Jackson is to be believed.

“I have no thoughts, whatsoever,” Jackson said Thursday when asked for his thoughts on the rumors linking McCown to the Dallas Cowboys, via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. “You said it, it’s rumor. There is nothing to it as far as we’re concerned. I’ve heard about it, obviously I have, but I feel good that he’s here. He’s a Cleveland Brown and I know nothing else about the other part of it.”

Jackson thinks he would know if McCown were being pushed in trade talks.

“I would hope so,” Jackson said. “I would hope so. I would think I would know exactly what’s going on. I feel very good about where we are and what we’re doing, and right now, there’s nothing to report or talk about.”

McCown is said to be a top trade target for this team desperate for a backup. The Browns may just be playing hardball here, but it’s clear that there’s work to do to get a deal done.

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