According to many experts, Michael Jordan is still the best basketball player who has walked on planet Earth. His style was unique and caught the attention of all spectators, even those who found it difficult to admit. Can you recall the memory of the most prolific scorers in the history of the most prestigious national league on the planet?
One of the most recognizable faces in the NBA during the first two decades of the third millennium is Stephen Jackson. This small forward or shooting guard could score when needed and learn from nobody else than Michael Jordan.
Let’s see together how his playing and coaching career turned out to be.
How did Stephen’s career in NBA start?
Joining New Jersey Nets in 2000 was the start for Stephen Jackson in the most popular national basketball league in the world.
His appearance in 77 games averaging 8.2 points per fixture was not enough for the Nets board to keep him in the roster for the next season. Even good companionship with Stephon Marbury and 40 starts in his debut campaign didn’t convince the club to retain his services.
Eventually, the player was forced to look for a new contract with some of the other NBA teams.
Where did Jackson continue his road in the most prestigious national basketball league on the planet?
San Antonio made deal with Stephen before the 2001/2002 season, but the player’s performances were marked with injury.
Injuries kept him sidelined for the majority of the campaign with the player participating in only 23 games. Scored 3.9 points and 1.1 grabbed rebounds per game were in the shadow of his hard training and pushing the starters to their maximum.
Consequentially, the second campaign was much better in terms of individual numbers. Stephen averaged 11.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per fixture leading the Spurs to their second title in the league.
What happened later with Jackson in NBA?
After playing in Atlanta in the 2003/2004 season scoring spectacular 42 points, Stephen was sent to the Pacers in exchange for Al Harrington. Signing a 6-year contract showed that Indiana’s coaching staff wants to rely on this shooting guard in long term.
The player averaged 18.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in the first campaign in Indianapolis which was considered as a pleasing individual score. However, involvement in a brawl with fans caused 30 game suspension.
In the next season, ex-San Antonio small forward went on to score 16.4 points, grabbing 3.9 rebounds, and making 2.8 assists per game.
Following the 2005/2006 season, Jackson was once again accused of off-court activities, but received only demeanor sentencing because he didn’t have any felony convictions in the past. In the last campaign in Indiana Pacers Stephen ended with 14.1 points per game in 37 appearances.
What was the next station for Stephen after Indiana Pacers?
After experience in Indianapolis, Jackson was transferred to a Golden State in a trade that included eight players. In the first game for the Warriors, Stephen had fantastic night scoring 29 points, making 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals against Cleveland. Jackson’s amazing performance happened against his former team Indiana with 36 scored points.
However, his great start in San Francisco was followed by his scandal when he was accused of applauding sarcastically to the referee versus Dallas in a playoff game.
Also, the first-ever player’s triple-double came in the 2008/2009 season against Phoenix when he tallied 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
How was Jackson’s experience with Charlotte Bobcats?
The hero of today’s story was transferred to Charlotte together with teammate Acie Law, while Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmanovic went in the opposite direction. Setting the Bobcats record with 43 points on his account after the game against Houston was a massive beginning of an adventure in Charlotte.
Despite making the first triple-double in this team’s history during the 2010/2011 season, Bobcats didn’t qualify for the playoff. Stephen Jackson was disappointing because his teammate Gerald Wallace was sold in the middle of the season which reduced his chances of achieving a better result.
What move did Jackson take after his NBA career?
Following relatively unsuccessful stints with Milwaukee, San Antonio, and La Clippers, Jackson decided that the time came for a new environment. Consequentially, Stephen joined the Big3 league which was invented by Ice Cube and Jeff Quatinetz in 2017.
Getting the role of co-captain of team Killer 3’s was motivation to lead this squad together with captain Chauncey Billups. Reggie Evans, Larry Hughes, and Brian Cook were also members of the roster that unfortunately ended the season in the last 8th place in the standing with a 2-6 score.
Despite circumstances around team results, ex-5×5 players finished the competition as a statistical leader in points per game – 21.6.

What occurred in the second of Stephen’s season in Fireball?
After the disappointing culmination of his debut season in Killer 3’s shirt, the former Golden State shooting guard decided to stay a member of the roster believing that the scenario could be different in the future. Alan Anderson, Ryan Hollins, and Mike James were picked throughout the 2022 Draft Pool as part of this team’s ambitions for a new campaign.
However, the qualification for the Final Four didn’t happen due to the 3-5 score and fifth place in the Big3 final standings.
Where did Stephen Jackson play in the Fireball’s third season?
Josh Powel, Donte Greene, and C.J. Watson were brought to the team as signings for the third season in Fireball. Two co-captains Metta World Peace and Al Harrington with Captain Stephen Jackson had tasks to lead the squad to the biggest heights in hard competition in the league.
They reached the playoff finally finishing the regular part of the season with five wins and two defeats at 2nd place. The best 4 phase was a big inspiration for Stephen and his teammates, so the Power was beaten with 50-42 in the semi.
Triplets led by, according to many experts, the best player in the league Joe Johnson pulled out a victory 50-39 against Killer 3’s.
How did the fourth season for Jackson go in Big3?
After finishing as runner-up in 2019, Jackson changed playing with a coaching career in Cube’s project ahead of the start of the fourth Fireball’s campaign.
Taking charge of Trilogy turned out to be a smart decision as Jarret Jack, Amir Johnson, and James White were dominant during the regular part of the competition and also in the playoff.
Jackson’s team was a perfect guide from the bench of Jackson’s team resulting in winning the trophy in the Final Four. 3 Headed Monsters couldn’t match Trilogy’s quality, so the result was 50-45 in Stephens’ squad’s favor.
Many Big3 experts will agree that passionate approach to every referee’s decision is maybe the biggest flow Stephen Jackson has as a coach.
How successful was second Jackson’s season as coach of Trilogy?
The successful first season of Trilogy under the charge of Stephen Jackson cheered up spectators who wanted an even more attractive display of their team. Bringing Isaiah Briscoe and Earl Clark was a sign that the coaching staff is aiming to defend the title and show superiority in the most popular national 3×3 league on the planet.
After defeating Aliens in the semifinal in Final Four, Trilogy faced Liebermann’s Power in Atlanta, Georgia. Despite big efforts to resist Jackson’s team attacks, the defender of the title won easily with 51-35. Stephen proved that he is, without a doubt, the best Big3 coach currently.
Dedication to every element of the game technically and tactically is the biggest advantage in the work of this praised Fireball coach.
Winning the NBA league with San Antonio and Big3 with Trilogy were massive achievements for the hero of today’s story. A lot of commitment and preparation was required to reach those goals, for sure. Being able to go from the player’s role to the coach’s place was a brave decision, but it paid off for Jackson in the end.
His fine selection of players in the roster, giving them proper advice, and support when they fail is perfect advice for success. He doesn’t want to stop winning major trophies. Is he going to be able to lead off the court Trilogy to the third consecutive title? Tell us your insights.
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