The Indianapolis Star reports
Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird said during the team’s West Coast trip he wants to keep Jarrett Jack long term.
Wahoo! Wait, what? Why?
As the Pacers’ play has improved since Jan. 1 and they’ve continued to win without injured All-Star forward Danny Granger, Jack has been one of the driving forces. But Bird said Jack’s significance includes what people don’t see in games.
“This is a professional basketball league, and you can’t get any more professional than Jarrett Jack,” Bird said while watching a recent team workout. “He’s done everything that you’re supposed to do as a basketball player.
“He plays tough, practices hard, plays hard, spends time after practice working his game. He’s a great teammate. He’s what this league should be about, and I think it’s an honor for us to have him as an Indiana Pacer.”
Jack is averaging career highs in points (12.6) and assists (3.9).
The Pacers love his versatility in the backcourt
Acquired in the offseason in a draft night deal with Portland, the 6-3 Jack came into the league as a point guard. He has played both point guard and shooting guard, but has been most effective starting alongside point guard T.J. Ford.
“There are people in the league that can play both positions, but few can play both at the level Jarrett plays them,” said Pacers coach Jim O’Brien.
But what the Pacers admire most is Jack’s leadership
His leadership, though, is the topic broached most frequently.
“He’s a superb leader,” O’Brien said. “He practices hard and he also has the ability to keep it loose with the coaches and the players.
“Some people are goof offs. He’s not. He’s a man’s man from the standpoint, he comes to work, wants to enjoy work, wants other people around him to enjoy work, but they work.”
What is Jack’s contract status? Is he a restricted free agent?
The fourth-year guard in the midst of his best season will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, meaning the Pacers can match any offer.
Conclusions
This looks like another example of Larry Bird continuing to show a lack of understanding of how to manage his team’s salary cap.
As a result, the future for the Pacers looks weak.
