Captain Jax.

10.8.2007 | 7:24 pm | Game-Time Decisions, The Warriors, The X Factor

Say what you will about the selection of Stephen Jackson (aka Crazy Eyez) as a member of the newly formed tri-captain leadership, but I have come to expect the unexpected from Don Nelson (aka. Obi-Wan Kenobi). Madman or genius, the outcome is the same. Pure entertainment.

I’m sure he has his reasons for appointing the most outwardly driven, passionate, fun-loving and vocal team members as leaders. It certainly has set the tone for the team’s culture, which by all accounts is extremely palpable. We know, with responsibility, also comes real accountability. And accountability, particularly to your peers and colleagues, is powerful motivation to stay on the right path and deliver (perhaps even more so then giant tattoo on your stomach).

One interesting subplot seems to be the growing (healthy) competition and (friendly) jaw-jacking between B. Diz and S. Jax during the training camp sessions. I submit these two quotes from the Warriors’ blog as interesting evidence as we ponder the strategy and tactics of sports motivation. Both driven from within and designed by outside “forces”. Let’s hope it has the desired effect during the season.

One interesting development at practice on Saturday occurred when Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson – on opposite teams – became involved in a friendly and verbal battle as they guarded one another during a scrimmage. Davis’ team was scoring with regularity and he was jawing at Jax about his team’s inability to stop his squad. At that point, Jackson became extra intense and eventually screamed, “You are making me better BD” as he guarded him with a little extra vigor. Eventually, the two embraced. This is the kind of animated moments that have made this training camp extra special and productive. The players’ focus and serious attitude has been incredible.

Coach Nelson made a confession on Saturday without visiting a church. He told the Warriors’ two beat writers that he aided Stephen Jackson in his bid to win a bet with Baron Davis during the team’s written exam on Friday. As noted earlier, Jackson bet Davis that he would earn a higher score on the test. Upon hearing this, Nellie also bet BD that Jax would have a higher score. What BD did not know was that the second-winningest coach in NBA history had slipped Mr. Jackson a copy of the test the night before. Only Nellie. I guess that explains Jackson’s perfect score on the exam.

I’ll leave you with a thought from a certain Shaq-inspiring, nineteenth-century German philosopher (yeah, someone said it before Kanye West).

That which doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.
- Friedrich Nietzsche

G. Dolin