Stephen Jackson Our New Leader

by Squall on Jul 6, 2008 7:15 PM PDT Comment 11 comments

Regardless who the Golden State Warriors sign from free agency one thing is clear; Stephen Jackson will be the leader of the team. Many think with Baron Davis’ departure that the team will be handed over to phenom in the making Monta Ellis. Ellis may get the keys to the team for the future but Captain Jack is without a doubt the leader.

Jackson is not the best player on the Golden State Warriors roster, that’s Ellis. But Jackson has intangibles that Ellis has yet to grasp being only 22 years old. Jackson is coming off a career year in which he was a solid citizen and team leader. Jackson is not only a team leader he is a “glue guy”, he helped bring all the pieces put together mesh in their 2007 playoff run.

In 2008 the Warriors started the season off 0-6 without Jackson as he was serving time for a suspension. When Jackson returned the Warriors were a completely different team, his defensive presence, versatility, and leadership helped the Warriors to one of the best records in the NBA minus the games he missed. Unfortunately it was too little too late, but this year Jackson shouldn’t be missing those first crucial games.

With Jackson’s checkered past it was obvious that during his tenure with the Warriors he has begun to find himself. He is the ultimate teammate; his defense is contagious as is his desire to win. He was the Warriors’ best defender most of the time and hit more than a handful of big shots during the course of the past season-and-a-half.

Jackson doesn’t need to step up and take all the shots for the Warriors this upcoming season, he needs to be the guy to help show the younger Warriors how to handle themselves in pressure situations, how to be a model citizen, and what it takes to play in the NBA.

With the departure of Baron Davis, Jackson will more than ever be put on the pedestal to lead this team. The Warriors will again be one of the youngest teams in the league but with a leader like Stephen Jackson the Warriors will have one of the best Captain’s leading the way.

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

0 recs | Comment 11 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

true but...

we may as well just hand the keys over to monta now (assuming that we don’t get brand jsmooth or iggy) because we probably won’t make the playoffs this year and once jack’s contract expires he wont come back. Also, eventually monta is going to have to step up and less experienced players eg. randolph bellinelli so why not start now and let jackson finish his career with less stress

by Azubuike is the G.O.A.T on Jul 6, 2008 7:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed. but....

i still don’t see monta being the guide that Jackson was on and off the court. Just watching games you could tell Monta is the type who leads by example of play, Jackson is more verbal. Monta will be a leader yes, but I don’t see him as verbal as Jackson. Even if they get Josh Smith (22 or 23 years of age) and Iggy (24 years old) i don’t see them coming in as leaders. This team is going to be finding their identity and Jackson will be the guy to lead them in the right direction.

by Squall on Jul 6, 2008 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

very true

i guess that would be better because if we are unable to get a star this off season then we might as well try to get our younger guys more evperience and if jack can be the mentor that will make them better than he should get the keys for awhile

by Azubuike is the G.O.A.T on Jul 6, 2008 7:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What do you mean "NEW" Leader?

He was, he is and will be our leader this year! On and even more so OFF the court this year, STACK got my huge respect for the way he handled himself and for what he now gives back to the community.

I look forward to him pumping the crowd up again as he did last year and getting us behind our young and exciting team.

It's about heart, It's about fight, It's about being a Warrior!

by BritWarriorGSW on Jul 6, 2008 8:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Jackson without Baron

worries me. I’m not so worried about Jack’s off the court trouble, but I’m concerned his attitude and leadership wont be as great when this young rebuilding team is struggling. If we dont land Brand I think I’d at least shop him to contenders to gauge his value.

by sam23 on Jul 6, 2008 9:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ehh....

I don’t really like the sound of that… but when I read the post title… for some reason it reminded me of when Brucey took over for Adam Sandler at quarter back in the movie “The Longest Yard”... sorry… but hey you’re on point on that… He is the new leader… for now by default…

Stop crying about it alright?!?! GO MULLIN.

by jeppalepala on Jul 6, 2008 10:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

god no...

Jackson doesn’t have leadership qualities on the floor, he tries to do too much sometimes which stiffens the offense. There is no doubt this will be Monta’s team and he will now have to learn on the go how to run the offense

I make love to pressure - Stephen Jackson

by Ro3ert0 on Jul 6, 2008 11:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Jackson

was is and will be leader of this team
because he is experienced smart and tough
no Baron means 2 times more responsibility and he is worth it

leader can be just smartest guy on floor
not 22 years old kid who’s answer to any question is AY AM A BASKETBALL PLAYA

build a team & destroy the roof

by Lat We N Trash on Jul 7, 2008 7:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Jackson plays....

with emotion which trickles down to the other players. I do agree to a certain extent that Jackson tries too much at times, but Jackson wont back down to any thing.

by Spee-D on Jul 7, 2008 7:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Jax is DA MAN, they call him Cap'n Jak for a reason...

Jax will likely be around a while, I expect him to really step it up this season, he had more heart than Dizzle in my opinion and was crucial in our success, We will struggle unless a miracle happens, but I think we will get through it and everyone on the team will be better for it, but DO NOT GIVE UP, we have a great core and are just missing a couple pieces. I also really think if harrington is on our team this year he will be a different player than we have seen and really impress some of you that are so quick to give him away, Also I really hope we keep Pietrus for a low salary multi year because he could breakout this year also.

by warriorbum on Jul 7, 2008 9:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Action Jackson a leader???

He is not a leader, hell he just some dood that jack up hella 3’s and only makes 30 percents of it. haha Just because he average 4 assists per a game doesn’t meant he is our leader. BD carried our team on his shoulders. He gone now, but still got nothing but love for him. Anyways,playing 38 mins per a game was the only reason, he put up 20 points last season. Remember when he was a damn Hawks leader? The team was hella sorry. I know we got a good young team, but I don’t think we could even reach 35 wins at all. well, our upcoming season will be pretty ugly.

by warriorfan4life on Jul 7, 2008 5:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs