Mark Jackson We do need a backup PG and it looks like we are going to get Mark Jackson since he's scheduled for a workout with the rockets. Mark Jackson would be a great backup pg since even though he's a ball hog he could dish out much needed assists and is a great ball handler. He may be aging but he's still got the instinct
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Former Knicks point guard Mark Jackson will be reunited with Jeff Van Gundy and Patrick Ewing in Houston, The Post has learned. Jackson, 38, will work out for the Rockets tomorrow and, if all goes well, debut Saturday against Minnesota. The Rockets lack a true point guard and have been using Steve Francis in that role. Jackson, who ranks second behind John Stockton in career assists with 10,215, will likely serve as a backup. </div> NY Post
That will be really good for Franchise. Free him up to play off guard a little more,plus it'll be a good education in playin' the one.
Perfect addition for the Rockets. I cannot wait to see him in a Rockets uniform. I think the organization realized that they needed a seasoned veteran as a back-up to Francis, and you cannot get much more seasoned then Mark Jackson. He should really help us out in running our half-court offense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">Mark Jackson would be a great backup pg since even though he's a ball hog </div> Mark Jackson a ball hog? You don't become 2nd all time in assists hogging the ball. I agree that its a good move to sign Mark, who still has some left in the tank.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting starman85:</div><div class="quote_post">Mark Jackson a ball hog? You don't become 2nd all time in assists hogging the ball. I agree that its a good move to sign Mark, who still has some left in the tank.</div> Dang I never knew Mark was second on that list.
A ballhog??? He's a point guard who happens to have over 10,000 assists! Great move for Houston and especially Francis.
Well I saw him when he was in the Knicks, he kept the ball a lot and he liked to back his defender in every possession; he also used a considerable amount of the shot clock in every possession..
This is the piece of the puzzle Houston needs. Now we have two proven veterans in Jim Jackson and Mark Jackson, even if it's only for this season. I smell Wilk's go down again. Great move!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">Well I saw him when he was in the Knicks, he kept the ball a lot and he liked to back his defender in every possession; he also used a considerable amount of the shot clock in every possession..</div> Mark does like to back his man down, but using the shot clock was more due to the Knicks style of play than anything else. He's a great distributor, the Rockets should really benefit from his presence.
This is a GREAT signing...finally some stability off the bench at the guard spot...this will give Francis more room at the 2 guard, and I think Mike Wilks can alot from a pro like Jax. Plus Jax has loads of playoff experience and can hit the 3. This is a great move, and I see the Rockets only getting better.
Here is the official release: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jan. 15, 2004 - The Houston Rockets have signed guard Mark Jackson, general manager Carroll Dawson announced today. Jackson ranks second all-time with 10,215 career assists and 20th all-time with 1,591 career steals. The 16-year veteran stands with John Stockton and Magic Johnson as the only players in NBA history with 10,000 assists. </div> Rockets Press Release
Any news of more defense and contributions is great news to me since the Rockets are great offensively already anyway. Mark Jackson sure sounds impressive, hopefully he'll be a worthy addition to the team. Good luck with your newest player Rockets.
Yeah any predictions on his stats in his first game? I'd say 20minutes, 4 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.
I see him getting about the same amount of minutes that Wilks is getting a game (10-17). Jeff Van Gundy loves to play Mobley and Francis for most of the game so they will still rack up their 38+ minutes a night. The only time I think Jackson will get any significant minutes is when the Rockets guards get in foul trouble.
I dont think it's easy for anybody, including nachbar, wilks, pike or moochie to be given limited minutes and be able to be productive. Now Mark Jackson would be given limited minutes as well, hopefully he'd be able to be productive with his minutes.
I agree with Dex. Jax was more of a practice acquisition, a guy who helps the team more in practice than in games. Not his fault, but he's playing behind two guards in their primes. This is still important, because I think Van Gundy put a lot of say into this in order to use Mark as a measurement for Francis. Remember, Van Gundy was in New York when Jax was in his prime as well as his head coach when Jax was a seasoned vet, so he knows his game well. I think he's gonna assign Mark tutoring duty on Steve Francis, in order to work on his passing game and how better to involve a dominant center, i.e. Yao.
