azdad1978
Championship!!!!
By Craig Morgan, Tribune
In earning NBA Executive of the Year honors, Suns president Bryan Colangelo was lauded for the offseason acquisitions of Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson.
But with Joe Johnson likely out for the remainder of this series, another one of Colangelo's moves may prove to be the difference between a deep playoff run and a disappointing early exit.
With Nash on the bench for nearly five minutes of the fourth quarter, guard Jim Jackson scored eight of his team's next 18 points and 15 total in the period to help Phoenix rally past Dallas in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal, 114-108.
“Jimmy Jackson was the one that turned the tide,” Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. “We needed somebody else to step up and he did it, big time.”
In so doing, Jackson validated Colangelo's faith in him.
When Colangelo first considered dealing for Jackson, the much-traveled guard was facing heavy criticism for refusing to report to lowly New Orleans after a trade from the Houston Rockets.
“It's about being in the right place at the right time," Jackson said. “I've sacrificed a lot in my years, but with my career I wanted to take control of it. When Bryan and the Suns came knocking I thought it was a great opportunity for me to do that.”
Colangelo said he knew exactly what he was getting when he finally pulled the trigger on a deal that dispatched Casey Jacobsen, Jackson Vroman and Maciej Lampe to the Hornets.
“One of the things we talked about was bringing a guy in with that veteran leadership but, more importantly, playoff leadership,” Colangelo said. “He really brought it tonight.”
Not a moment too soon.
After carrying his team for 35 of the game's first 36 minutes, Nash finally got an extended rest to start the fourth quarter with the Suns still trailing 77-76.
That's when Jackson took over the point guard reins, running the pick-and-roll to perfection and connecting on 7-of-8 field goals to finish with 21 points.
“I'm a playmaker. I played point guard in high school, college and even the NBA so I'm used to handling the ball,” said Jackson of his cameo as Nash's body double. “It wasn't anything mentally that I said I needed to do. It just happens when you try to get yourself involved in the game.”
With Dallas clawing its way to within 104-96 with 2:29 left in the game, Jackson put the finishing touches on his most important contribution as a Sun, drilling a 3-pointer from the right of the key, then scoring on a driving layup to give Phoenix a 109-99 lead with 1:53 left.
“He's a hungry player,” Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said. “He understands that his life is on the line playing basketball. Some of the things (he does) you can't coach."
Afterward Jackson admitted the game took on added meaning in the wake of Johnson's injury.
“I personally wanted to make sure that we continue on so that he can come back and enjoy the fruits of his labor," he said. For one night, Jackson kept that hope alive.
“I don't know where we'd be if Jimmy wasn't here to step into the void we have with Joe missing,” Suns forward Richardson said. “I don't even want to think about it.”
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=41603
In earning NBA Executive of the Year honors, Suns president Bryan Colangelo was lauded for the offseason acquisitions of Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson.
But with Joe Johnson likely out for the remainder of this series, another one of Colangelo's moves may prove to be the difference between a deep playoff run and a disappointing early exit.
With Nash on the bench for nearly five minutes of the fourth quarter, guard Jim Jackson scored eight of his team's next 18 points and 15 total in the period to help Phoenix rally past Dallas in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal, 114-108.
“Jimmy Jackson was the one that turned the tide,” Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. “We needed somebody else to step up and he did it, big time.”
In so doing, Jackson validated Colangelo's faith in him.
When Colangelo first considered dealing for Jackson, the much-traveled guard was facing heavy criticism for refusing to report to lowly New Orleans after a trade from the Houston Rockets.
“It's about being in the right place at the right time," Jackson said. “I've sacrificed a lot in my years, but with my career I wanted to take control of it. When Bryan and the Suns came knocking I thought it was a great opportunity for me to do that.”
Colangelo said he knew exactly what he was getting when he finally pulled the trigger on a deal that dispatched Casey Jacobsen, Jackson Vroman and Maciej Lampe to the Hornets.
“One of the things we talked about was bringing a guy in with that veteran leadership but, more importantly, playoff leadership,” Colangelo said. “He really brought it tonight.”
Not a moment too soon.
After carrying his team for 35 of the game's first 36 minutes, Nash finally got an extended rest to start the fourth quarter with the Suns still trailing 77-76.
That's when Jackson took over the point guard reins, running the pick-and-roll to perfection and connecting on 7-of-8 field goals to finish with 21 points.
“I'm a playmaker. I played point guard in high school, college and even the NBA so I'm used to handling the ball,” said Jackson of his cameo as Nash's body double. “It wasn't anything mentally that I said I needed to do. It just happens when you try to get yourself involved in the game.”
With Dallas clawing its way to within 104-96 with 2:29 left in the game, Jackson put the finishing touches on his most important contribution as a Sun, drilling a 3-pointer from the right of the key, then scoring on a driving layup to give Phoenix a 109-99 lead with 1:53 left.
“He's a hungry player,” Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said. “He understands that his life is on the line playing basketball. Some of the things (he does) you can't coach."
Afterward Jackson admitted the game took on added meaning in the wake of Johnson's injury.
“I personally wanted to make sure that we continue on so that he can come back and enjoy the fruits of his labor," he said. For one night, Jackson kept that hope alive.
“I don't know where we'd be if Jimmy wasn't here to step into the void we have with Joe missing,” Suns forward Richardson said. “I don't even want to think about it.”
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=41603
