Stephen Jackson

Stephen Jesse Jackson is a retired professional basketball player and a human flame thrower. Born on April 5, 1978, in Port Arthur, Texas, Jackson is famous for his love of confrontation–on and off the court.

Early Life

Jackson grew up in a tough neighborhood in Texas and learned to fight early on. He once said, “If I didn’t know how to fight before I was 10 years old, I wouldn’t have made it to 11.”

Basketball Career

In 1997, he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns, but his career really took off when he joined the San Antonio Spurs, where he won his first NBA championship in 2003.

But, Jackson is perhaps best known for his years with the Indiana Pacers. In 2004, he was involved in the notorious “Malice in the Palace” brawl against the Detroit Pistons, where he aggressively exchanged blows with fans in the stands.

In 2007, Stephen Jackson found himself in the midst of another altercation. During the NBA playoffs, he was involved in a bar fight in Indianapolis where he fired a gun. He was later charged with a felony and sentenced to probation.

Off-Court Antics

Jackson’s off-court antics are almost as legendary as his on-court battles. He once got into an argument with rapper The Game over social media, with Jackson telling him that he would “beat his a**.” He also once called out Kobe Bryant, saying he would “smack” him if he was ever disrespected.

Retirement

Jackson retired from the NBA in 2014 and transitioned to an analyst role. But he didn’t leave the drama behind. In one memorable instance, he called out NBA legend LeBron James on Instagram, saying that “winning a championship in Akron is like winning a spelling bee in Mississippi.”

Legacy

Stephen Jackson will always be remembered as a player who never backed down from a fight. He was a tough competitor, a skilled athlete, and a walking controversy. If you ever see him on the street, just remember to be careful what you say, or you might find yourself in the middle of a 2-on-1 fast break.