Print
RSS 
Sign up for E-news
NBAE / Getty Images
The Bobcats acquired Stephen Jackson
and Acie Law on November 16, 2009. |
November 16, 2009
Press release | Live chat transcript | Win a Jackson jersey | Jackson gallery | Steve Martin blog
After acquiring guards Stephen Jackson and Acie Law from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for guard Raja Bell and forward Vladimir Radmanovic, Bobcats General Manager sat down to talk with Matt Rochinski of bobcats.com for this exclusive Q&A.
MR: You’ve got to be a happy man today. Talk a little bit about how this trade came about.
RH: We’ve had conversations over the last four or five days, and over the weekend this thing really turned in the direction that seemed to be pointing towards completing the deal. We talked late last night and then took the necessary steps to get the call done today. Everything just kind of fell in place and so here we are. We’re happy to have both players. Acie Law is going to be a guy that can come in and add depth. But Stephen Jackson, obviously, he allows us great flexibility in that he’s very versatile, he can play a couple of different positions as well as playing a little bit on the ball. He’s absolutely a good defender. We gave up a good defender in Raja. Stephen can come in and be our starting two-guard and really enhance some of the qualities of our other players.
MR: We know Larry likes to have guys on his team that are versatile, but at the same time, Stephen can light it up and that’s something this team has been looking for – someone who can kind of score at will, isn’t it?
RH: I think that’s one of the plusses to Stephen’s offensive game. I’m sure coach will figure those out and Stephen will figure out how coach wants him to play, but you’re absolutely right, Matt, in that we struggle at times to score the basketball. During those droughts, sometimes you need to have a guy that you can just throw the ball to and you want him to manufacture something for himself, as well as the other players on the court with him. Those things are very important. Starting out at 3-6, we are very motivated as an organization to continue to try to improve this team. From ownership on down, our mindset hasn’t changed, and bringing in a player of Stephen’s caliber – he fits in to how we all think around here.
MR: Obviously, you don’t like to see guys like Raja and Vladi go, but at the same time, you didn’t have to give up a major piece of what might be considered the core of this team in order to get Stephen and Acie back. How happy are you with that?
RH: I think for us, immediately, the benefits are going to show on the court. The beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so-to speak. We like what we got in the trade, and I’m sure Golden State is happy with who they got in the trade, or they wouldn’t have done the trade. Those are the kind of trades you like to be involved with, or I like being involved with. Where both sides kind of feel like they got what they wanted to and they can answer some of their needs. Be it financially, be it talent-wise. Whatever those questions are, that they feel whole about the trade.
MR: Are you going try to track these guys down and get them in uniform as soon as possible out in Orlando?
RH: I’m definitely going to try to expedite the process, but only time will tell. I think Stephen and Acie are both currently on their way to the airport. They’re in Milwaukee right now, and they’re traveling to Orlando, arriving in Orlando around 4:15, 4:30-ish this afternoon. And then, time will tell. We tried to line it up where if it worked out perfectly, they could be in uniform, but if not, we’ll see them on Wednesday in Philadelphia.
MR: Obviously, you had a relationship with Stephen in the past, playing a major part in bringing him to Golden State. Have you had a chance to talk to him since the trade went down, and if so, how happy is he to be part of the Bobcats?
RH: After the trade was finalized, I had an opportunity to call Stephen on his cell phone, as well as Acie, and my conversation with Stephen was very positive. He’s looking forward to the opportunity. He sees that this is kind of similar to when he joined the Warriors in ’07. We were trying to, as Warriors back then, get to that playoff atmosphere, playoff situation. And he came in, saw the opportunity and really helped that team elevate to that playoff showing that we had in ’07. I’m sure he’s looking at this opportunity here in Charlotte similarly. He can come in here and help at a big level. Our goals are obviously to always make the playoffs, and then once you get into the playoffs, at least you have a chance.
MR: So for this team, it was important to go out and get another guy with that kind of hunger to want to take this team to that next level, right?
RH: There’s no question. He’s almost a gritty player. He’s tough-minded, and he’s been through a lot of up and down in his career, and I think that helps him form that tough mentality that he has. And that’s what we want.
Let us know what you think.
Send us your response to this article or video and we'll post it on bobcats.com using your selected screen name.
