Thursday April 17, 2008 2:44 PM


Jackson ready to lead the Rockets against Jazz


Utah at Houston, Game 1, Saturday, 8:30 p.m.



Damien Pierce
Rockets.com Staff Writer


HOUSTON -- Bobby Jackson couldn't recall the last time he was a regular starter.

He'd guess that it was probably at some point during his days in Sacramento, but he's not positive.

"That was a long time ago," Jackson said. "I can't even remember. It was probably when Mike Bibby went down at some point in Sacramento. But it's been a while."

Regardless, he's got the role now.

The veteran point guard who's made a career out of being one the NBA's top reserves will be in the starting five Saturday night when the Rockets begin their first-round playoff rematch against the Utah Jazz.

Jackson, who was acquired from New Orleans after the NBA's All-Star break, is expected to fill-in for injured starter Rafer Alston for at least the first two games of the series.

Alston is hoping to return from a strained hamstring in Game 2, but more than likely won't be cleared for action until the series shifts to Salt Lake City.

With Alston out of the mix, the Rockets will be relying on a postseason-tested veteran who's more of scorer than true point guard to run the show.

"It's a little bit different," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "Bobby is more of a scoring, combo-type guard and Rafer is more of a true point guard. So it's different. But Bobby has a ton of experience. We just have to find a way to adjust and we'll be alright."

The Rockets acquired Jackson in February, hoping that the career backup would provide the team with more depth and playoff experience.

Two months later, Jackson is being asked to take on a much larger role. Rather than being expected to provide a jolt off the bench, he's filling in for a point guard that was the team's floor general and second-leading scorer.

Jackson is shooting higher percentage than Alston this season. But unlike the Rockets' starter, Jackson is at his best creating his own shots rather than setting the floor for everyone else.

Despite Alston's absence, Jackson doesn't plan on morphing into something that he's not for the playoffs.

He said he'll approach his starting job just as he would if he was still coming off the bench.

"It's the same," Jackson said. "I approach it the same. I have to be steady and lead this team on both ends of the floor. I don't try to go out there and do things outside of my being."

Jackson doesn't expect the extra minutes to be an issue.

During his first 26 games with the Rockets, Jackson averaged 19.3 minutes and made five starts filling in for Alston. He did miss Sunday's game against Denver with a strained left knee and calf, but noted that those injuries wouldn't prevent him from playing heavy minutes in the playoffs.

But that's not to say the 35-year old point guard won't be tested. Jackson will spend the majority of the first two games of the series chasing around Utah's Deron Williams.

Williams tormented the Rockets during last season's playoffs in the pick-and-roll game, leading the Jazz to a series-clinching win in Game 7.

"Deron Williams is the key," Adelman said. "He's the one that takes the game over and makes decisions for them."

Jackson will have some help. Aaron Brooks, the Rockets' first-round draft pick, will get some minutes in at least the first two games of the series to spell Jackson. Though he's still learning how to run the offense, Brooks has gained more of an understanding with the system over the course of the season.

"I'm more comfortable," Brooks said. "I've played against different defensive styles and I'm getting used to it. I'm getting a routine down and that's the most important thing."

Jackson, though, will be shouldering most of the load.

Though the veteran point guard hasn't had a regular starting role since the 2002-03 season, Jackson feels he's ready to lead the Rockets into the postseason.

He'll get his chance beginning on Saturday.

"Being in the league for so many years, I think my playoff experience will help," Jackson said. "I know everything. I know what the strengths and weaknesses of guys are. I know my role now and I know what I have to do to help this team win."