Stephen Jackson of the Charlotte Bobcats had 11 technical fouls this season, and was suspended a game for allegedly verbally abusing a referee at the end of a game. The Associated Press reports that Captain Jack has lost $172,000 in fines and withheld pay because of his temper already this season; if he continues at his pace of earning techs, the suspensions and lost salary will grow.
Stephen Jackson Is Addicted To Technical Fouls, Refuses To Get Clean
Franchise owner Michael Jordan and Bobcats coach Paul Silas have both asked Jackson to calm down. But Jack isn’t budging.
He told the AP he’d lose his fire on the court if he kept himself from disputing calls or non-calls he feels are not fair.
“Obviously, I don’t want to be suspended and miss a game, but I’m out there trying to win,” Jackson said. “I’m going to go out there and be me. If me speaking my mind gets me a tech, hey.”
To say that in the face of fines from the league office is own thing. But when the greatest player ever (a man who happens to sign your paychecks) and your direct boss (who controls your playing time) tell you to knock it off, and you remain defiant? That’s ballsy.
Of course, that’s Captain Jack. The internal swagger that leads him to effectively tell MJ and Silas to shove it is the same confidence that allows him to contested deep three-pointers, many of which bounce afoul, in the closing seconds of games. Nothing can change this man’s mind.
(Via Pro Basketball Talk.)
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