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Action Jackson Kings need guard to continue making plays vs. LakersPosted: Friday May 24, 2002 11:21 AM
By Marty Burns, Sports Illustrated LOS ANGELES -- Whether getting kissed by courtside spectators or smacked by Shaq, Kings guard Bobby Jackson is making a name for himself in this year's Western Conference finals. "He's been great. He's been carrying them," Lakers forward Rick Fox says of Jackson, the dynamic reserve who has scored 38 points in 48 minutes over the first two games and given the Kings a much-needed jolt of energy. "He attacks the basket pretty hard," adds Lakers guard Derek Fisher. "We've got to do something to slow him down." Stopping Jackson will be a main priority for the Lakers as they play host to the Kings in Game 3 Friday night at Staples Center. With Peja Stojakovic still ailing, Kings coach Rick Adelman is expected to go with the small backcourt of Jackson and Mike Bibby for longer stretches. It worked in Sacramento's Game 2 victory, as the lightning-quick duo combined for 37 points, including 13 of their team's final 20. Jackson's ability to score against L.A.'s stingy half-court defense has been a major boost for the Kings. With Stojakovic out and Chris Webber having to contend with Shaq inside, the Kings need all the inside points they can get. The fearless Jackson has been able to drive the lane and get shots to fall, even against Shaq. "My job is to come in and give instant energy, get to the basket, get them on their heels and attack," says Jackson, a career backup who played for the Nuggets and Timberwolves before signing with the Kings as a free agent two years ago. Jackson averaged 11.1 points in 2001-02 and finished runner-up in voting for the Sixth Man Award this season. With his full-throttle style of play, he also has become a fan favorite at Arco Arena. When he dove into the crowd for a loose ball during Game 1, two female fans took the opportunity to plant kisses on his bald head. "I was so into the game I didn't even notice," Jackson says. Jackson's lack of size prevents him from playing alongside Bibby more often. As Adelman points out, a small backcourt makes his team weaker in rebounding and more vulnerable to being posted up by the taller Kobe Bryant or Fox. Still, Adelman says he'll pair them in stretches when the Kings need an offensive spark. Lakers guard Brian Shaw says his team was so concerned with staying out on shooters Hedo Turkoglu and Doug Christie in Games 1 and 2. That allowed Jackson room to drive. "We were too reluctant to [help] on him," Shaw says. Lakers' coach Phil Jackson, meanwhile, said he also wants his big men to do a better job stepping forward when Jackson drives to "meet him at the rim." Not that Bobby Jackson cares. In Game 1, he drove right at Shaq late in the game, scoring on a beautiful reverse layup that left the Lakers big man swatting at air. Afterward Jackson, who's listed as 6-foot-1 but is really closer to 5-11, could be seen exchanging pleasantries with the Lakers center. "Shaq was like, 'You're lucky you're my boy,'" Jackson said with a smile, indicating that O'Neal otherwise might have knocked him to the floor. "I was like, 'OK, big daddy, whatever you say.'" Jackson might be the smallest player on the floor, but he'll need to keep standing tall for the Kings if they hope to dethrone the Lakers.
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