Jim Jackson (basketball)
Encyclopedia
James Arthur "Jim" Jackson (born October 14, 1970) is an American
retired professional basketball
player. Over his 14 NBA seasons, Jackson was on the active roster of 12 different teams, tying the league record. He is currently a basketball analyst on the Big Ten Network.
. Jackson started all four years at Macomber High School
in Toledo, Ohio. The former McDonald's All American led Macomber to the 1989 Division I state championship over Cleveland St. Joseph
.
Jackson was recruited by the Ohio State University
Buckeyes
. The swingman instantly contributed, starting as a freshman for the 1989-1990 season, Jackson averaged 16.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 49.9% from the field. He played two more seasons through 1991-1992, earning consensus First Team All American honors in 1991 and 1992 UPI
college basketball
, and the UPI player of the year
in 1992.
Jackson's number (22) was retired at Ohio State in February 2001.
with the fourth overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft
after his junior season at OSU.
Jackson's rookie year was abbreviated due to a lengthy contract dispute where he held out for most of the season. As a result, he appeared in only 28 games in his first season in the league. He started in all 82 games the following season, averaging 19.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 37.4 minutes per game. With the drafting of Jamal Mashburn
and Jason Kidd
in the following two seasons, Mavericks fans referred to the trio as the "Three J's". Jackson suffered an ankle
injury in his third professional season after 51 games. He was averaging 25.7 points and 5.1 rebounds prior to the injury. Jackson came back to average 19.6 points in 1995-96. However, controversy surrounded the Mavericks as a rift between Jason Kidd and Jackson emerged. Unsubstantiated rumors point to a love triangle between Kidd, Jackson, and singer Toni Braxton
. In the middle of the 1996-1997 season, Jackson was traded to the New Jersey Nets
along with Sam Cassell
, Eric Montross
, George McCloud
, and Chris Gatling
for Shawn Bradley
, Ed O'Bannon
, Robert Pack
, and Khalid Reeves
.
The following off-season, the Nets coveted a college prospect, forward Keith Van Horn
out of Utah. In a bidding war with the Chicago Bulls
among other teams, they traded Jackson along with Eric Montross
and their two first round picks Tim Thomas
and Anthony Parker
to the Philadelphia 76ers
for Michael Cage
, Don MacLean
, Lucious Harris
, and the rights to Van Horn, the second overall pick in the 1997 draft.
, who was viewed as the 76er's franchise player.
In the middle of the 97-98 season, the 76ers traded Jackson along with Clarence Weatherspoon
to the Golden State Warriors
for Joe Smith and Brian Shaw. All four players would be free agents at the end of the season, with the 76ers fearing an inability to re-sign Jackson and the Warriors fearing an inability to re-sign Smith.
.
Despite having talent and depth, the Trail Blazers were plagued by injuries, attitude problems on the court, and legal problems off the court. In an effort to clean up their image and team chemistry in the 1999 off-season, the Trail Blazers traded or chose not to re-sign many of their players. Jackson, along with talented but troubled Isaiah Rider was traded to the Atlanta Hawks
for Steve Smith
.
After voicing his displeasure with losing, Jackson was traded with Larry Robinson
and Anthony Johnson
in January 2001 to the Cleveland Cavaliers
for Brevin Knight
.
in December 2001. The Heat, already with a shallow bench, signed Jackson to mitigate the effects of injuries to key players. Jackson averaged 10.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 33.2 minutes per game, appearing as a starter in some games as injuries warranted. Again, Jackson did not receive an offer from Miami or any other team in the following off season.
in December 2002 to bolster their bench. In 63 games off the bench, Jackson averaged 7.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in only 20.8 minutes per game; however, he played well during crucial moments of games, eventually unseating Hedo Türkoğlu as the sixth man on the team. Jackson saw his stock rise, and as a free agent, received a two year offer from the Houston Rockets
the following off season.
Despite averaging 13.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in 41.3 minutes per game, the Rockets dealt Jackson along with Bostjan Nachbar to the New Orleans Hornets for David Wesley
. Although Hornets General Manager, Allan Bristow
looked forward to the additions of Nachbar and Jackson, Jackson refused to report to the Hornets, an act for which he was suspended. Without ever appearing in a Hornets uniform, Jackson was traded to the Phoenix Suns
for Maciej Lampe
, Casey Jacobsen
, and Jackson Vroman
.
.
area code 419 that serves Toledo
and most of northwest Ohio
) to represent where he is from.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
retired professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. Over his 14 NBA seasons, Jackson was on the active roster of 12 different teams, tying the league record. He is currently a basketball analyst on the Big Ten Network.
High school and college career
Jackson was a 6'6" (198 cm), 220 pound (100 kg) shooting guardShooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
. Jackson started all four years at Macomber High School
Macomber High School (Toledo, Ohio)
Irving E. Macomber Vocational Technical High School was a vocational public high school in Toledo, Ohio, USA, from 1938 to June 1991. It served the entire city and was part of the Toledo Public School District...
in Toledo, Ohio. The former McDonald's All American led Macomber to the 1989 Division I state championship over Cleveland St. Joseph
Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School
Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School is a private Roman Catholic high school located in Cleveland, Ohio. It is commonly abbreviated VASJ. It was formed by the 1990 merger of Villa Angela Academy and St. Joseph High School . It is run by the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. The two religious orders...
.
Jackson was recruited by the Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball
The Lucas Sapp men's basketball team represents The Ohio State University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes won their only National Championship in 1960 and have made a total of 21 NCAA Tournament appearances...
. The swingman instantly contributed, starting as a freshman for the 1989-1990 season, Jackson averaged 16.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 49.9% from the field. He played two more seasons through 1991-1992, earning consensus First Team All American honors in 1991 and 1992 UPI
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
, and the UPI player of the year
Player of the year award
Several sports leagues honour their best player with an award called Player of the Year. In the United States, this type of award is usually called a Most Valuable Player award...
in 1992.
Jackson's number (22) was retired at Ohio State in February 2001.
Dallas Mavericks
Jackson elected to forgo his final year of eligibility and was drafted by the Dallas MavericksDallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
with the fourth overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft
1992 NBA Draft
The 1992 NBA Draft took place on June 24, 1992, in Portland, Oregon. At the time, the draft was considered to be one of the deepest drafts in NBA history. The top three picks were considered can't-miss prospects. O'Neal and Mourning are likely Hall of Famers...
after his junior season at OSU.
Jackson's rookie year was abbreviated due to a lengthy contract dispute where he held out for most of the season. As a result, he appeared in only 28 games in his first season in the league. He started in all 82 games the following season, averaging 19.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 37.4 minutes per game. With the drafting of Jamal Mashburn
Jamal Mashburn
Jamal Mashburn is a retired American professional basketball player. A small forward, Mashburn was a prolific scorer in his 12 seasons in the league, with a career scoring average of 19.1 points per game...
and Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd
Jason Frederick Kidd is an American professional basketball point guard who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association. Raised in Oakland, California, Kidd played college basketball at the University of California, Berkeley and was drafted second overall by the Dallas...
in the following two seasons, Mavericks fans referred to the trio as the "Three J's". Jackson suffered an ankle
Ankle
The ankle joint is formed where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot...
injury in his third professional season after 51 games. He was averaging 25.7 points and 5.1 rebounds prior to the injury. Jackson came back to average 19.6 points in 1995-96. However, controversy surrounded the Mavericks as a rift between Jason Kidd and Jackson emerged. Unsubstantiated rumors point to a love triangle between Kidd, Jackson, and singer Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
. In the middle of the 1996-1997 season, Jackson was traded to the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
along with Sam Cassell
Sam Cassell
Samuel James "Sam" Cassell , is a retired American professional basketball player who is an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards. The , point guard was selected out of Florida State University by the Houston Rockets with the 24th overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft...
, Eric Montross
Eric Montross
Eric Scott Montross is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA....
, George McCloud
George McCloud
George Aaron McCloud is a retired American professional basketball player.-Early life:McCloud attended Mainland High School in Daytona Beach and Florida State University in Tallahassee.-Professional career:...
, and Chris Gatling
Chris Gatling
Chris Raymond Gatling is a retired American professional basketball player, having played for numerous NBA teams from 1991 to 2002...
for Shawn Bradley
Shawn Bradley
Shawn Paul Bradley is a retired American and German basketball player who played center for the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Nets and the Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association. At tall, Bradley was one of the tallest players in NBA history...
, Ed O'Bannon
Ed O'Bannon
Edward Charles O'Bannon, Jr. is a retired American basketball player, who was a power forward for the UCLA Bruins men's basketball team on their 1995 NCAA championship team, where he was known as "Ed-O"...
, Robert Pack
Robert Pack
Robert John Pack, Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player and current assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers. Nicknamed "Pac-Man", the point guard had a thirteen season career in the NBA, most notably with the Denver Nuggets.-High school and college career:Pack attended...
, and Khalid Reeves
Khalid Reeves
Khalid Reeves was an American professional basketball player, selected by the Miami Heat in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft....
.
New Jersey Nets
Jackson played and started in only 31 games with the Nets to finish the 1996-1997 season averaging 16.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game with them.The following off-season, the Nets coveted a college prospect, forward Keith Van Horn
Keith Van Horn
Keith Adam Van Horn is a retired American professional basketball player. The 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward graduated from Diamond Bar High School in Diamond Bar, California and attended the University of Utah where he went on to be a consensus First Team All-American in 1997...
out of Utah. In a bidding war with the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
among other teams, they traded Jackson along with Eric Montross
Eric Montross
Eric Scott Montross is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA....
and their two first round picks Tim Thomas
Tim Thomas (basketball)
Timothy Mark "Tim" Thomas is an American professional basketball player, in the small forward position.-High school / College:...
and Anthony Parker
Anthony Parker
Anthony Michael Parker is an American professional basketball player who last played with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association . After graduating from Bradley University with a major in liberal arts, he entered the 1997 NBA Draft and played briefly in the NBA before...
to the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
for Michael Cage
Michael Cage
Michael Jerome Cage is a retired American NBA basketball player.A 6'9" power forward/center from San Diego State, he is the Aztec's all-time rebounding leader and second leading scorer as of 2011. Cage was the 14th pick of the 1984 NBA Draft...
, Don MacLean
Don MacLean (basketball)
Donald James MacLean is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA. As a college player, he holds the distinction of being the all-time scoring leader of both the Pac-10 Conference and UCLA, although Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would have most likely attained both of those records had...
, Lucious Harris
Lucious Harris
Lucious H. Harris is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2nd round of the 1993 NBA Draft. Harris has played for the Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers in 12 NBA seasons...
, and the rights to Van Horn, the second overall pick in the 1997 draft.
Philadelphia 76ers
Jackson played in 48 games for the 76ers in the 1997-1998 season averaging 13.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game with decreased minutes from previous seasons. Jimmy Jackson was reported to be unhappy with his decreased role and shooting while playing with Allen IversonAllen Iverson
Allen Ezail Iverson is an American professional basketball point guard and shooting guard. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1996–97 season...
, who was viewed as the 76er's franchise player.
In the middle of the 97-98 season, the 76ers traded Jackson along with Clarence Weatherspoon
Clarence Weatherspoon
Clarence Weatherspoon, Sr. is a former American professional basketball player in the NBA.After a college career at the University of Southern Mississippi, Weatherspoon was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers as the ninth pick in the 1992 NBA Draft...
to the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for Joe Smith and Brian Shaw. All four players would be free agents at the end of the season, with the 76ers fearing an inability to re-sign Jackson and the Warriors fearing an inability to re-sign Smith.
Golden State Warriors
Although Jackson saw an increased role as the Warriors’ starting shooting guard, averaging 18.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 40.6 minutes per game for the remainder of the 97-98, he disliked playing for a losing franchise. In the offseason, Jackson signed with the Portland Trail BlazersPortland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
.
Portland Trail Blazers
Jackson was limited in the 1998-99 season with numerous injuries. He averaged 8.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in 24 minutes per game, statistical career lows for him at that time.Despite having talent and depth, the Trail Blazers were plagued by injuries, attitude problems on the court, and legal problems off the court. In an effort to clean up their image and team chemistry in the 1999 off-season, the Trail Blazers traded or chose not to re-sign many of their players. Jackson, along with talented but troubled Isaiah Rider was traded to the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
for Steve Smith
Steve Smith (basketball)
Steven Delano "Steve" Smith is a retired American basketball player. He played with several teams in his 14-season National Basketball Association career, including the Miami Heat, the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs, but is perhaps best known for his five-year stint with the...
.
Atlanta Hawks
For the 1999-2000 season, Jackson played in 79 games for the Hawks averaging 16.7 points and 5 rebounds per 35 minutes. Jackson suited up for only 17 games for the Hawks in the 2000-2001 season.After voicing his displeasure with losing, Jackson was traded with Larry Robinson
Larry Robinson (basketball)
Larry Robinson is an American professional basketball player, 6'5" tall, at the shooting guard position, formerly in the NBA. He played collegiately 2 seasons at Eastern Oklahoma State College and then 2 seasons at the Centenary College of Louisiana...
and Anthony Johnson
Anthony Johnson (basketball)
Anthony Mark Johnson is an American professional basketball player who most recently played with the Orlando Magic of the NBA. Johnson is a 6'3" point guard. He found success in pro basketball, becoming the first NBA D-League player to participate in a NBA Finals...
in January 2001 to the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
for Brevin Knight
Brevin Knight
Brevin Adon Knight is an American retired professional basketball point guard who played with nine teams in the NBA from 1997 to 2009. Knight played college basketball at Stanford University and was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1997...
.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Hailing from nearby Toledo and a product of Ohio State University, Jackson's trade to the Cavaliers was viewed as a homecoming of sorts. Additionally, Jackson was happy to be part of a team that, as an early season success story, was eyeing the playoffs for the 2000-2001 season despite a run of injuries to a number of key players. Playing in 39 games and starting only 26 of them, Jackson's statistics for the Cavaliers were modest, 10.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in only 29.2 minutes per game. The Cavaliers went on to finish 30-52 and miss the playoffs that season. Jackson did not receive an offer from the Cavaliers or any other team in the following off-season.Miami Heat
For the start of 2001-2002 season, Jackson did not have a team. He did not play in the month of November, before signing with the Miami HeatMiami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
in December 2001. The Heat, already with a shallow bench, signed Jackson to mitigate the effects of injuries to key players. Jackson averaged 10.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 33.2 minutes per game, appearing as a starter in some games as injuries warranted. Again, Jackson did not receive an offer from Miami or any other team in the following off season.
Sacramento Kings
For the start of 2002-2003 season, Jackson again did not have a team. For the second straight season, he did not play in the month of November. Jackson eventually signed with the Sacramento KingsSacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in December 2002 to bolster their bench. In 63 games off the bench, Jackson averaged 7.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in only 20.8 minutes per game; however, he played well during crucial moments of games, eventually unseating Hedo Türkoğlu as the sixth man on the team. Jackson saw his stock rise, and as a free agent, received a two year offer from the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
the following off season.
Houston Rockets/New Orleans Hornets
Jackson played in 80 games for the 2003-2004 season, starting in all of them. He averaged 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in 39 minutes per game. He returned for the 2004-2005 season, again putting up decent statistics as a starter for the first 24 games.Despite averaging 13.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in 41.3 minutes per game, the Rockets dealt Jackson along with Bostjan Nachbar to the New Orleans Hornets for David Wesley
David Wesley
David Barakau Wesley is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA. He is the cousin of former NBA player Michael Dickerson. He is currently an assistant coach for the Texas Legends.-High school and college:...
. Although Hornets General Manager, Allan Bristow
Allan Bristow
Allan Mercer Bristow Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player, coach, and executive. Bristow played college basketball at Virginia Tech, and was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2nd round of the 1973 NBA Draft...
looked forward to the additions of Nachbar and Jackson, Jackson refused to report to the Hornets, an act for which he was suspended. Without ever appearing in a Hornets uniform, Jackson was traded to the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
for Maciej Lampe
Maciej Lampe
Maciej Bolesław Lampe is a Polish professional basketball player. He currently plays with Caja Laboral in Spain.-Professional career:Originally from Łódź, Poland, Lampe grew up in Stockholm, Sweden...
, Casey Jacobsen
Casey Jacobsen
Casey Gardner Jacobsen is an American professional basketball player for Brose Baskets of the German Bundesliga League....
, and Jackson Vroman
Jackson Vroman
Jackson Vroman is a US-born Lebanese professional basketball player. He was naturalized as a Lebanese citizen to play in the Lebanon national basketball team, substituting the other naturalized American Lebanese player, Joe Vogel...
.
Phoenix Suns
Jackson finished the 2004-2005 season with the Suns averaging a modest 8.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per 24.9 minutes per game. With starting shooting guard Joe Johnson injured, Jackson stepped up his play in the postseason, helping Phoenix reach the Western Conference semifinals. Although re-signed in the following offseason, Jackson was waived at the beginning of March 2006 after spending nearly two months on the bench without playing any minutes. Jackson averaged career lows of 3.7 points and 2.4 rebounds per 15.6 minutes in 27 games. Immediately after being waived, Jackson was claimed by the Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
Los Angeles Lakers
Jackson finished the 2005-2006 season with the Lakers, playing in only 13 games with averages of 1.7 points and .9 rebounds per 7 minutes. Jackson did not receive an offer to sign with any team in the following off season, marking the end of his career. He was the last player on the Lakers to wear #24 before Kobe BryantKobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
.
Personal
During much of his career, Jackson wore a sweatband on his arm with the numbers "419" (which refer to the North American telephoneTelephone
The telephone , colloquially referred to as a phone, is a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sounds, usually the human voice. Telephones are a point-to-point communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other...
area code 419 that serves Toledo
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
and most of northwest Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
) to represent where he is from.
External links
- Jim Jackson expanded profile at NBA.com
- Love Triangle between Kidd, Braxton, and Jackson