Stephen Jackson Is Underappreciated as a Person

Marcus Thompson of the Contra Costa Times is quoted as saying, "He takes the younger players under his wing, taking them shopping, dispensing advice, lending an ear. What’s more, he does the little things that are unbecoming of a millionaire thug. He looks people in the eye when they talk to him, as if he cares about what they’re saying. He frequently doles out handshakes, half-hugs, he returns phone calls. He mends fences, lifts spirits, and makes others feel special."

Gwen Knapp of the San Francisco Chronicle had this to say about Jackson, "He couldn't have been more charming or more engaged, the perfect face of the franchise."

Even Donnie Walsh, the man solely responsible for the trade of Jackson to Golden State, has stated, "I love Jack to death. He's emotional and he's going to get technicals. But that's just part of the package. He's a great team guy."

When Matt Barnes's mother was dying of cancer, Jackson offered to delay his return from suspension to be there for Barnes in case he needed support. Even when Barnes was not with the team, Jackson wrote Barnes's No. 22 on his headband.

Jackson also set up an event with Southwest Airlines in his hometown of Port Arthur, TX for elementary schoolers with an essay contest, which would allow 10 students to meet Jackson and as well see the following nights game.

In Oct. 8's preseason game, Jackson really wanted to post up Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trail Blazers, but Fernandez made a great play and knocked the ball away. Since I'm in Portland, it was the Blazers announcers calling the game.

So, when Fernandez went down with the sprained ankle, the two announcers Mike Rice and Mike Barett were going over who was helping Fernandez off the court. They announced the trainer for the Blazers and another blazer were helping him off the court, but the actual person who helped get Fernandez off the court was Stephen Jackson, who had helped him up so he could stand with the help of the two Blazers personnel.

So, did the Blazers announcers even mention it? No.

It's time for the media to stop judging Jackson by the two mistakes he made in the past. Everyone makes mistakes; would you want to be judged by your mistakes? Or would you rather be judged by the good deeds you have done? Jackson has grown, and he's a great person. It's time for the media to start appreciating him as a person and not from those two events.

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