ONE ON ONE With Marc Jackson

Sporting News, The, Jan 22, 2001 by Sean Deveney

A leading candidate for the Rookie of the Year Award, Warriors center Marc Jackson didn't start his first game until December 8. Since then, Jackson, 26, who spent the previous three seasons in Turkey and Spain, has averaged 18.3 points and 9.2 rebounds and has been one of the season's biggest surprises. TSN's Sean Deveney went One-on-One with Jackson, discussing video games, Turkey and the rookie award.

TSN: How does it feel to finally be in the NBA?

MJ: It's a great feeling. It's a great feeling for me to play at this level of competition, to be able to compete with the best players in the world. It's nice to know my work has paid off.

TSN: How about on the road, is it hard to keep yourself busy?

MJ: I am a video game fanatic. I play Sega Dreamcast 2K. I love Madden on PlayStation 1. It keeps me busy. Keeps me occupied in the hotel rooms.

TSN: What's your favorite game?

MJ: NBA 2K. And Madden.

TSN: I guess you're not in the NBA 2K version. Think you'll be in the 2001 version? You can use your own character.

MJ: I know, I am not in this one. That'd be nice, having me in it. I'd never pass. (Laughing)

TSN: You could take 40 to 50 shots.

MJ: Basically. And I would not miss. (Laughing).

TSN: When you left Temple early, did you resent that people sort of judged you? You know, here's another kid going after the money, even though they really did not know you and your reasons for coming out?

MJ: I don't really care what people thought about me. My goal was to support my family. Make sure my family was doing all right. And as far as that goes, that decision benefited all of us.

TSN: When you Left Temple, you went to Turkey? M J: Yeah.

TSN: How did you like it there?

MJ: Really, I loved it. I loved it. What an experience. It was very different. But I was happy with it, happy with my experience. It was a change. I definitely had to go with an open mind, and I did that. So I was happy.

TSN: What did you like most about it?

MJ: The sights. Turkey is a very beautiful country. That's one thing that stays with me, how beautiful it was.

TSN: How about the culture, the food, stuff like that? Was it hard to get used to?

MJ: Very different.

TSN: Did you adjust?

MJ: Oh, of course. I had to. I mean, it is different, but it's not that different. A lot of little things. Like, they eat vegetables cold. They like desserts hot. Things we don't do here. They have this yogurt (Ayran), something we don't have here. It's yogurt, but it's like in a milk form. And they have it with every meal; it's like a gourmet thing to them.

TSN: And how about to you?

MJ: Urn, no. I did not like it. I tried.

TSN: Right now you're probably a favorite for the Rookie of the Year. Have you thought about that? Is that a goal?

MJ: No, no, no. I don't even think about it. The season is too young to start thinking that way. I just want to play the game of basketball. And I want to enjoy it, enjoy the opportunity I have been given by the Golden State Warriors. And I would like to help win some games.

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