Jackson: "My situation has to get better"

ESPNWisconsin staff

After sitting out four times in a recent five-game stretch, once because of a league suspension and three times because of his coach’s decision, veteran Stephen Jackson is back in the Bucks’ playing rotation.

But, he’s still frustrated.

“My situation has to get better,” Jackson told ESPN Wisconsin pro basketball insider Steve Haywood after scoring four points in 20 minutes during a 99-94 loss to Orlando Saturday night at the Bradley Center.

“I’m one of those guys that never settle for not playing. I know I can play. Everybody in this league knows that I can play.

“It’s just a sad situation that I’m sitting on the bench on this team and not being able to play the minutes that I know that I’ve earned in my 12-year career.”

Jackson, 33, was acquired in a three-team deal that brought Shaun Livingston, Beno Udrih and No. 19 draft pick Tobias Harris to Milwaukee. Charlotte received Corety Maggette and the rights to the No. 7 pick, Bismack Biyombo. Sacramento got John Salmons and the rights to Jimmer Fredette, who was taken by Milwaukee with the 10th overall pick.

Jackson has played in 22 of the Bucks’ 27 games and is averaging 12 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds. In a one-on-one interview with Haywood Saturday, Jackson addressed a possible trade, the way the team reacts to losing and his influence on Brandon Jennings. Here are some highlights:

Is the message being communicated from the coaching staff what you guys need to do night in and night out?

“I think the preparation is there. I can’t coach. All I can do is worry about what I can control, and that’s going out there and play when I’m able to. I know I’m not being put in the best situations where I’m at my best, and it’s obvious.”

Why is there a perception now that you are a locker room problem?

“To try to downplay my worth, probably, so I can be stuck here. I don’t know. People like to make excuses for people when things are not going good. Everybody knows I can play. I’ve been in this league a long time. I know when they try to downplay guys and try to kill their worth.

“At the end of the day, guys like (Spurs star) Tim Duncan know I’ve been a great teammate. I’ve never been a cancer to anybody. Everybody is their own man. At the end of the day, I’m one of those guys that never settle for not playing. I know I can play. Everybody in this league knows that I can play.

“It’s just a sad situation that I’m sitting on the bench on this team and not being able to play the minutes that I know that I’ve earned in my 12-year career.”

Can you see yourself requesting a trade?

“I’m just going to see how it plays out. I’m a professional. Obviously, I can’t say that i want to be traded. No one can say that, and I’m not saying that. But, we’ll see what happens. I would like to be in a better situation, if it’s here or if it’s somewhere else. But, my situation has to get better.”

What can you do to make your situation better?

“All I can do is worry about what I can control. That’s coming to practice every day, working. Making sure I’m ready to play when I do get a chance when I do get a chance or if I’m somewhere else, I’m ready to play.

That’s all I can do at this point. I can’t coach the team. I can’t tell coaches what to do or what not to do. All I can do is continue to work on my game and make sure I’m ready to play when it’s my time.”

Are you seeing the right type of things that this team needs to do to be a winner?

“I think we’ve got to care a little more. We’re nonchalant after we lose games like it doesn’t matter. I’ve never seen that before... different places. I just think we need to be more professional after we lose and care a little more and be more on the same page on the court.

On influencing Brandon Jennings:

“Brandon is a grown man. They can blame me all they want. Brandon is his own man. He speaks his own mind. I dont tell him what to say i don’t tell his family what to say

“Brandon is his own man. He feels how he wants to feel. I’m only going to speak for me and myself. I know a lot of people might say that (I'm influencing him) because I’m a guy that’s always spoke my mind. I tell people what’s real. At the end of the day, Brandon is his own man. He speaks his own mind.”