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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bobcats’ Jackson won’t change despite technicals

Charlotte’s Stephen Jackson, arguing a call in December, has earned 11 technical fouls and been fined $172,000 this season. (Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – At the end of a shootaround last week, Charlotte owner Michael Jordan yelled across the floor lamenting about how his Bobcats often play a man down when guard Stephen Jackson gets preoccupied with the officials.

As Jackson keeps piling up the technical fouls, he’s losing not only significant money, he’s also approaching an automatic one-game suspension.

But for Jackson, it’s about right and wrong, fairness and not losing his emotional edge.

“No, I get techs because I want to. I don’t care,” Jackson said Sunday. “I’m not getting techs for no reason. It happens.”

Jackson feels his past – he served a lengthy suspension for his role in the infamous Pacers-Pistons brawl in 2004 and has had other run-ins – is a significant factor in how he’s treated.

“My reputation is the main reason why a lot of things don’t go my way on the court,” Jackson said. “I just have to be professional and try to get through it.”

It’s not going very well.

Jackson has lost $172,000 this season thanks to 11 technicals, a one-game suspension without pay following an ejection and a separate $50,000 fine for verbally abusing a referee. He is short of 16, which results in a one-game ban.

“Obviously, I don’t want to be suspended and miss a game, but I’m out there trying to win,” Jackson said. “I’m going to go out there and be me. If me speaking my mind gets me a tech, hey.”