<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">INDIANAPOLIS -- A judge ordered a Feb. 12 trial for Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson, who faces charges after allegedly firing a gun during a fight outside a strip club. Jackson appeared in Marion Superior Court on Wednesday. He has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of criminal recklessness and misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct. The criminal recklessness charge carries a prison term of six months to three years. The judge also set the same trial date for Deon Willford, the driver of the car that hit Jackson during the fight on Oct. 6. Only one trial will take place that day, and the state wants to try Willford first, said David Wyser, chief trial deputy for the Marion County prosecutor's office. Both Jackson and Willford have rejected deals that would have required them to plead guilty to the most serious charges, Wyser said. Jackson, on probation for his role in the brawl with Detroit Pistons fans two years ago, fired a gun in the air at least five times outside Club Rio, police said. Jackson originally told police he was punched but later said he was not, prosecutors said. He had stitches in his lip and had scrapes and bruises, police said. Jackson's attorney, James Voyles, has insisted that Jackson acted in self defense. Willford, 23, is charged with felony counts of criminal recklessness and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and a misdemeanor count of driving without a license. Jackson told police that Quentin Willford, also at the club, started the brawl. Teammates Jamaal Tinsley, Marquis Daniels and Jimmie Hunter were at the bar but were not charged. Raymel Mattocks, a friend of Jackson's at the club, was charged with misdemeanor counts of battery, disorderly conduct and marijuana possession. Prosecutors said Mattocks started the fight. His trial was set for Jan. 18.</div> Source I wonder if he is sentenced to do time -- does that void his contract?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I wonder if he is sentenced to do time -- does that void his contract?</div> I hope so. That would be the best scenario, considering the obvious cap space implications and his cancerous attitude.
I'd like to give SJax a chance. He has the skills to help this club, I say wait and see how things work out.
<div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'd like to give SJax a chance. He has the skills to help this club, I say wait and see how things work out.</div> I'd like to see how he does too but if hes no better than Pietrus it would be nice to have the cap relief/flexibility.
The one thing Jackson can do that Pietrus can't do is create his own shot. The question is if the W's need another guy like that, since the W's have Monta and Davis and I assume Harrington, though I'm not familiar with his game. Pietrus is a better rebounder, better defender, younger, has a great attitude, better upside, shoots better from outside due to more diligent shot selection this season. He's still prone to mental mistakes though. Don't forget about Azu who should also come into play in regards to if the W's should keep Jackson or not. Azu is a pretty a good player from what he has shown so far. He plays a lot smarter than Pietrus, but he's still not a great passer, looks more for his own shoot. He can shoot the three well too. I think if he's not as good as Jackson now, he will be better in the long run. Also Barnes is another option, but lately he has been shooting kind of poorly. The W's definitely can't keep all four of those players. They have to decide who to keep. At the moment I would go with Pietrus and Azu. Azu seems more like a natural talent compared to Barnes who depends more on hardwork and hustle.
No, I definately think SJax has a lot of talent. He's a terrific shooter and a very good defender. He brings confidence and toughness to a team that desperately needs it. If he had a mid-life turn-around under Nellie, I'd be thrilled. I do want to root for the guy, considering he can help GS get into the playoffs. However, I cannot overlook the past, and frankly it'll take a lot for him to win me over as a fan. His behavior in the Pistons brawl was inflammatory and atrocious. I think his behavior was just as bad as Artest, if you watch the footage. And the strip club thing doesn't help. However, if there's one thing he has going, it's that he's coming to a team that desperately needs some help, and he's getting far away from the scene of his troubles. Hopefully he can turn a corner here. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind seeing him off the team.
I really look forward to his toughness and I can root for just about anyone if they play well for my team. I say lets welcome him with open arms and give him the chance to fail here before we start writing him off...
Stephen Jackson is another player on the court who can shoot from outside... as well as shoot outside a night club to land himself in court. Oh man. This will be interesting next time if some guy tries to rough up Ellis or Biedrins or some lightweight guy. He'll come in and start decking people.
