IC Cold Links: Stephen Jackson's Return To Fieldhouse With Bobcats Tonight No Big Deal

Much maligned former Pacer, Stephen Jacksonis back in action tonight at the Fieldhouse when his hot Charlotte Bobcats take on the Pacers. Is this still a big deal?

One reason I always liked Stephen Jackson was because, while he was in fact a knucklehead at times, he was a self-aware knucklehead. He was always willing to face the music for his transgressions and try to move on. While Jamaal Tinsley seemed surly and apathetic to his image, Jack was always earnest in his attempts to make amends. Even as he revises his history with the Pacers in today's Star, his good intentions are no doubt genuine.

"I think people are not looking at the fact that I'm human and I make mistakes," Jackson said after the Bobcats' practice Monday. "I made two mistakes, but I haven't been in any trouble since."

Two mistakes? Those weren't mistakes, they were franchise altering events that helped crumble the foundation of a solid team. Of course I'll never complain about Jack's role at the Palace. After jumping into that fray, you might question his sanity but can't question whether he has his teammate's back at all times.

In reality, there were actually more than a few incidents that piled on the Palace/Club Rio "events" to sour Jack's stay in Indy. Most involve petty in-game technicals or mood swings along with untold beefs with Rick Carlisle. While Jack can certainly play the role of winner on the court, after awhile he fluctuated too often between winner and whiner. Even he admits he had to go. Face it, for all the talk of Jack being a winner, that's only when his head is right. When it's not, he has to go. Just ask Golden State.

Jack's already played several times at the Fieldhouse since parting ways with the Pacers and it seems like after the first couple of times he hasn't heard too much from the fans. I'm sure there will be a small faction of fans who will always boo Jack's appearance at the Fieldhouse, but really those past problems are now so far down the list of problems for the Pacers, why bother?

Besides, considering this is a mid-week game against the Bobcats there may not be enough fans capable of mounting a chorus of boos.

After the jump, more links of interest including NCAA bragging rights in the Pacers' locker  room and Bob Kravitz's pen becoming more powerful than the mic.

• PACERS: Let the tourney trash talk begin
  Bruno's latest Caught in the Web: With three NCAA champions and four other players who reached the Final Four, the Pacers have plenty to talk about when March Madness rolls around.
• Ex-Pacer Jackson wishes fans would remember good things
  Mike Wells checks in with Stephen Jackson as he preps to play at the Fieldhouse.
• Bobcats rolling with playoff berth in sight
  Peter Vecsey finds Larry Brown coaching Charlotte into solid playoff position even if he is planning his next move.
• Preview: Bobcats at Pacers - CharlotteObserver.com
  Matchup to Watch: Danny Granger versus Stephen Jackson. There's a lot on Jackson's shoulders in the absence of Gerald Wallace.
• Danny Granger: "If I was LeBron, I’d go to New York"
  Gary Woelfel interviews Danny Granger.

• Future for Pacers, Granger uncertain, if not unrelated
  Danny Granger was going to be part of the turnaround in Indiana. He still may be, but not as quickly as he or the Pacers hoped. In the middle of a lost season, Granger hopes there is a plan in place, Ken Berger says. Berger then goes on to speculate about the Pacers options for moving Granger.

• Sixers' Eddie Jordan among coaches on hottest seats in NBA
  Frank Hughes analyzes the coaching situations around the NBA and finds Jim O'Brien's seat hotter than most.
• 'Kravitz' show a casualty of Emmis radio shuffling
  Indy Star columnist Bob Kravitz left his afternoon radio show yesterday after 1070 The Fan decided not to renew his contract. Bummer for local sports talk since it gave Kravitz a chance to expound on his opinions which are always interesting whether you love him or hate him.
• Yahoo Tournament Pick' Em - Indy Cornrows
  Don't forget to enter the NCAA pick 'em tourney at Yahoo! Sports. Join the group with ID: 90141 and password: pacers.
• The Indy Cornrows Store Is Now Open
  Friendly reminder (pending a permanent link) that the Feed Roy and Indy Cornrows shirts are available at the online store.