“I can deal with (high-maintenance) kids. All you have to do is be straight with them,'' Brown told the Observer Monday in the lobby of the team hotel. “After six years with Allen (Iverson in Philadelphia), I don't look at anybody as a challenge. (Jackson) wants to play and he's a competitor. Guys like that you can make work in your locker room.''
The Bobcats acquired wing scorer Jackson, along with point guard Acie Law, from the Golden State Warriors Monday, giving up starting shooting guard Raja Bell and reserve forward Vlade Radmanovic.
Brown is enthusiastic about this deal, telling the Observer Jackson might start at shooting guard against the Magic tonight if he arrives early enough to clear trade-related physicals.
Jackson brings two qualities the Bobcats need – proven scoring ability and the versatility to play multiple positions. But he also brings a history of bad behavior that seems to conflict with majority owner Bob Johnson's promise at the franchise's outset.
Johnson publicly declared that he and his players would never do anything to “embarrass'' Charlotteans. While Johnson later clarified that promise wasn't equivalent to a zero-tolerance policy, Jackson is a departure from the players the Bobcats typically acquire.
In 2006, he fired a hand gun into the air outside an Indianapolis strip club, following a late-night altercation in which he was punched and struck by a car.
In 2004, while playing for the Pacers, he was involved in the famous brawl with players and fans at a Detroit Pistons game. He eventually pleaded no-contest to a misdemeanor assault charge and served a year's probation, plus community service.
Most recently, Jackson demanded a trade so adamantly that his agent attacked Warriors coach Don Nelson's character repeatedly in an espn.com story.
Brown is aware of all that. He's close friends with one of Jackson's former coaches, San Antonio's Gregg Popovich, who advised Brown that Jackson is not out of control.
“Pop said he's going to test you,'' Brown said of Jackson's personality. “But if you call him out, he'll stay in line.
Let's hope so.
