Have any of these same people ever listened to what Jackson says as an ABC/YES analyst? In my meek, amateur judgment he's the most informative, entertaining and refreshingly straightforward (in a dignified manner) courtside observer in the history of NBA TV. There's no one in the same sanctified sentence.

If my team has an opening, I already would have made a strong recruiting pitch.

If my team doesn't have an opening and I'm looking for a no-nonsense man whose knowledge and instincts command respect, someone who'll hold players accountable for their actions as well as maintain the same standard for every player, I'd be seriously thinking about creating one before some other team does itself a favor and scoops up Jackson.

If I'm the Pacers, I'd go out of my way to sign Jackson. Mitchell would be second choice. If I'm the Bobcats, Mitchell's my man...