Golden State Warriors center Marc Jackson

Jackson is averaging 12.8 points a game and pulling down 6.9 rebounds per contest. (Allsport)

Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
January 31, 2001

Check out what Golden State Warrior rookie center Marc Jackson had to say about his team, the NBA and much more.

This year, Jackson is averaging 12.8 points a game and pulling down 6.9 rebounds per contest. He scored a career high 31 points against the Timberwolves (12/19/00) and grabbed 16 rebounds against the Suns (1/19/01).

Jackson is shooting 51-percent from the floor and 81-percent from the freethrow stripe. Chat transcript below.

Marc Jackson: Hello and thank you for joining me for today's chat!

Question: marty3: How would you describe your "individual" play this season for the Golden State Warriors?

Marc Jackson: I would say it has been pretty good. I don't think it has been to the best of my ability.. but almost there. Individually I have more to improve on and before the season ends I hope I will have played better.

Question: anzfan: What do you consider to be the strength of your game? What do you have to work at the hardest?

Marc Jackson: The strength of my game is the post scoring. The strength is having my back to the basket. Defending the threes is what I need to work on the most.

Question: jacksfan: What was the hardest thing to adjust to from the college game to the NBA?

Marc Jackson: The defensive rules. Knowing an illegal defense, what is and is not allowed.

Question: lakerfan: What coach had the most influence on your game?

Marc Jackson: John Cheney. He helped me tighten my game with the abilities I had. And gave me more abilities!

Question: warriorz: Do you still manage to keep up with Temple basketball?

Marc Jackson: Yes! I am unable to catch the games but I follow the statistics. Hopefully they will do better.

Question: gsw: What player on your team has influenced you the most?

Marc Jackson: I would probably say Jamison. Antawn has given me many pointers

Question: freez: Can you give us a close up observation of how good Antawn Jamison can be in this league?

Marc Jackson: Yes. He is going to be very good. Because of his ability to play the 3 and 4. From the 3 he can post them up and from the 4 he can beat them on the dribble. He is going to be very good and works hard.

Question: marty3: What's it like to play for Coach Cowens on the Warriors?

Marc Jackson: That is a great experience. To be able to play for him, since he played in the same situation. He was undersized and was able to play good defense and score. That helps.

Question: pfflyer: Who were some of the players you looked up to and tried to emulate as you were growing up?

Marc Jackson: One was Shaquille O'Neal and the other would be Karl Malone.

Question: jacksfan: You guys have been hit hard by injury - any idea when Fortson and Porter may be back? Is Mills gone for the season?

Marc Jackson: Fortson will be back, Dampier in a few weeks. Porter should be back also. We will have a very talented team then!

Question: marty3: What do the Golden State Warriors need to do to be a playoff contender in the future?

Marc Jackson: We need to have everyone back, injury free. That is the first thing. The next is the team chemistry. That is important in any team sport. When that is back we will be a much better club.

Question: freez: How does the team keep morale up when you're struggling?

Marc Jackson: Everyone gets together. That is when you become a tighter unit. When you are winning that is when everyone is loose and happy. But when you lose you get tighter as a unit and everyone starts working together.

Question: generala: What's the most difficult part of being a professional athlete? The best part?

Marc Jackson: The most difficult part is time management. You must get your quality sleep and your rest is important. That is hard on the road. Your body is always messed up as far as time zones are concerned. The best is just playing in the NBA. It is a great goal that I have been able to accomplish. Just playing here is a great feeling for me, personally.

Question: erric: What has been your favorite game to play in so far this year? Are you looking forward to playing against anyone?

Marc Jackson: So far? The Minnesota game. Playing against Garnett and talking to him, going against him head to head was great. I looking forward to the twin towers in San Antonio. Always.

Question: marty3: Who is the toughest player you've faced in the NBA so far?

Marc Jackson: Antonio McDyess. Easy. He is so quick for a big man.

Question: joecool: Do you believe that you and Antawn could start some sort of dynasty for Golden State?

Marc Jackson: Yes! I believe He, Larry Hughes and I will be a dynasty for years to come and make the Warriors a factor in the NBA.

Question: generala: What do you tell kids who have hopes to someday play in the NBA?

Marc Jackson: Continue to work hard. The first goal is to be yourself and work harder every day. Playing in games is just to show what you have been working on.. practice and do the other things.

Marc Jackson: Thanks to everyone for joining me in the chat session today and hopefully we can do it again soon.