Last week the coach of the Golden State Warriors, Don Nelson, said publicly that Stephen Jackson is ‘hard as hell to trade’. Well today Stephen Jackson was traded by the Warriors, and it became obvious by looking at the deal that Nelson was right. He must have been. Reports are just surfacing now with the details, but apparently Jackson has been dealt in exchange for Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmanovic.
Don’t get me wrong, Raja Bell is a solid defender and ‘team guy’, and both Bell and Radmanovic are long range threats from three. But Bell and V-Rad for Jackson? I’m not convinced. Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Bobcats are certainly getting the better end of this deal. Jackson has championship experience, and is currently putting up numbers that are above his career averages in points, boards, assists, steals, and blocks. At roughly 17 points, 4 boards, and 5 assists a game, Stephen Jackson should make an immediate impact on the Bobcats squad.
Jackson is always knocked for his off-court behaviour, and bad boy persona, but when he steps on the floor he’s always giving 110% for his team. He’s a clutch shooter than isn’t afraid to take the big shots, and he comes up with big time plays on both ends of the floor. At 6’8″, 215, he can play and defend at multiple positions so he will be a nice asset for the Bobcats to turn things around in Charlotte.
Don Nelson has always been known as a ‘my way or the highway’ type of coach, but in this particular case I think the Warriors would have been better off holding out for a better deal, or possibly just keeping Jackson and putting up with the strained relationship.
Yahoo Sports Reported this today about the deal:
The Golden State Warriors have agreed in principle to send Stephen Jackson(notes) to the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for Raja Bell(notes) and Vladimir Radmanovic(notes), NBA sources said Monday morning.
The deal also would send Warriors guard Acie Law(notes) to the Bobcats.
We will keep you posted here as more details arise, but for now it looks like Captain Jack will be landing in Charlotte for the remainder of the season.
