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Friday, July 18, 2008

Jackson, Robinson face off in Vegas

Best friends pulling for one another to succeed in NBA

By Gary Bedore

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Teammates and best of friends for four years at Kansas University, Darnell Jackson and Russell Robinson took the court as adversaries Wednesday night.

"It was weird," Houston Rockets free-agent point guard Robinson said of competing against Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Jackson in Las Vegas NBA summer-league action.

"You kind of want to see him do really well, and at the same time you've got to compete. But I'm happy for him. He did play a really good game, and I'm just happy to be out here," Robinson told the Las Vegas Sun after a narrow 73-72 victory over Jackson's Cavs.

Robinson scored two points, dished three assists and had two rebounds in 26 minutes. Jackson, a second-round draft pick of the Miami Heat, who was traded to Cleveland for a 2009 second round pick on draft night, scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds in 24 minutes.

"Before we won the (2008 NCAA) championship, we used to always say, 'Man, you never know, we might end up being on the same team or playing against each other,''' Jackson said.

"Seeing Russell out there today, it felt good because I know he wanted that and worked hard to get in that situation he's in now."

Robinson - he had seven points and five assists on Monday against Phoenix - realizes that as an undrafted player, it will be tough to make the Rockets Opening Day roster.

"It's just a big adjustment from college. You learn as you go," Robinson said. "It's a different intensity, and trying to adjust is the main thing ... A lot of one-on-one. The court is a little bigger than college, a little wider, and (there are) more athletes. (There's) higher intensity and more talent."

Jackson said he's living "a dream because I never thought this would happen. Now I have the chance to be out there on the court with LeBron (James). All the coaching staff and everybody, all the vets and everybody, they're helping me learn on and off the court."

James, of course, isn't playing summer-league ball, but will be on hand for the start of Cavs' fall training camp.

"I just don't want to let those guys down," Jackson said of his Cavs teammates. "My job is just to come in here and be on my horse and work hard every day. I know they're going to get onto me if I slack."

Jackson scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds in Monday's NBA debut against the New York Knicks.

Comments

KoolKeithFreeze (anonymous) says...

Funny, I read this same article in the Las Vegas Sun about three days ago... just sayin'.

July 18, 2008 at 4:38 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayViking (anonymous) says...

there aren't two better guys to root for.

July 18, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bjdku (anonymous) says...

KoolKeithFreeze:

Are you saying this article is plagiarized?

July 18, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohioburg (anonymous) says...

Really, KoolKeith? Even though the game was just wednesday night?

July 18, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

PaulDMeyer (anonymous) says...

"The court is a little bigger than college, a little wider,"

-Is there a size difference between the NCAA and NBA basketball court?

"James, of course, isn't playing summer-league ball"

- Does the Olympics count as summer-league ball?

July 18, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bangaranggerg (anonymous) says...

Robinson is going to have no chance of making Houston's roster, if you look at need, there is just no way that the Rockets need another PG behind, Luther Head, Rafer Alston, Steve Francis, Aaron Brooks, and Bobby Jackson. By far way to loaded at the point even if that is their style of play.

July 18, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

CMOS (anonymous) says...

Cut and past the link below, scroll down to see the quotes. Bedore, unless he's in Vegas, which seems very unlikely, does what he always does, just rips quotes from other articles. And to the guy who asked "Gary" to provide an update on the twins, you're going to get exactly no information from him that isn't ripped straight from Scout or the Slant. I think the philosophy in the "news" room at the LJW is that since they're a small paper, it's OK to plagiarize.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/nba-...

July 18, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

fatcletus (anonymous) says...

Paul Meyer...you're a moron

July 18, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

delo (anonymous) says...

I think NBA courts are 10 feet wider and longer than college courts.

July 18, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

WilburNether (anonymous) says...

CMOS, you are exactly right.

ohioburg, here's a suggestion: do your homework first, then post, as opposed to questioning someone who DID do his homework before posting.

July 18, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

esorrentino (Eric Sorrentino) says...

Guys,

This is far from plagiarizing. Gary didn't travel to Vegas, but he credited the Las Vegas Sun in the third graf, so it should be rather obvious who the quote source is.

July 18, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawker85 (anonymous) says...

I also think Ryan Greene, the guy who is credited in the Las Vegas Sun, writes for the LJW.

July 18, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

esorrentino (Eric Sorrentino) says...

Greene actually works for the Sun full-time now as the new media sports editor. Regardless, it doesn't matter who wrote the story, so long as Gary credits them, which he did.

July 18, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

chuckberry32 (anonymous) says...

wow, we lost greene and wood?

July 18, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

esorrentino (Eric Sorrentino) says...

Yes sir. Wood took a job at active.com in San Diego. Be sure to follow his stuff over there because it's pretty interesting. Wood will certainly be missed, but Dugan is a great addition to our staff.

July 18, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...

Though happy for the Ryans I'm also deeply saddened that we don't get The Greene Room and Sawin' Wood anymore.

I guess that explains why I never got my KUSports.com t-shirt for winning Spodcasters trivia back in March.

July 18, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

Was your t-shirt from JoeCollege.com?

July 18, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...

Haha, good one JayCeph. I don't know what the origins were for the KUSports.com t-shirts

July 18, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Nutflush21 (anonymous) says...

Dugan is a missery grad and looks like hug tool box. I cant believe KU fans are going to have to put up with his crap all football season.

July 18, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Strikewso (anonymous) says...

I wonder how Darnell is holding up playing in Las Vegas - the same place where is family had that horrible car accident that killed his grandmother.

July 18, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

garybedore (Gary Bedore) says...

Funny, I read this same article in the Las Vegas Sun about three days ago... just sayin'.

-- Greene called me with the quotes and he's credited.
Greene is my friend and is credited.
Thanks for being a watchdog, though. Watchdogs are needed in society today.
CMOS if you have a problem with me, give me a call. I'm not going to fight you on here.

July 18, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Keckadek (anonymous) says...

Robinson is the man! You too Jackson.

July 18, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

WilburNether and CMOS, how about this for a suggestion: before you criticize others for not doing their homework and criticize the LJW for plagiarizing, how about if you actually read the article and look for attribution!!! It's a novel concept, actually looking at something before you lambaste someone--but of course when your so purpose in life is to be first ones in line to mock everything that comes out on the site, little details like the facts don't actually matter.

Sorry for the rant, guys, but I am sick to death of all the imbeciles who jump down the throats of the LJS writers after every single god-da***d article!

July 18, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

It seems odd to me that so many users come to this site to snipe at the writers and editors so often... the writing isn't good enough, the article is old, the website isn't providing a service to society, the staff are a bunch of homers, the staff never side with KU, whatever and on and on...

I'm slightly perplexed. I'd equate this action to constantly going to the same restaurant, perpetually ordering the same thing and then always finding something to complain about.

If you don't dig the soup, don't pick up the spoon.

July 18, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

Okay, got that off to the chest. Now the important stuff:

How great would it be to actually see SIX (or more) players from this team make the NBA??? I realize that RR is a longshot and Sasha is at least couple of years (and thousands of miles) away, but who knows, a few years from now KU could actually have EIGHT players from this team make it, adding in Sherron and Cole. I wonder what the record is for most players from one team to make the NBA?

July 18, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

Thanks, Jayceph, for providing the voice of reason to my ranting.

July 18, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

garybedore (Gary Bedore) says...

Thanks Ceph and actorman, I think I'm gonna go back to my old way of answering readers' comments. Snail mail and e-mail.
So if you guys have any questions, email me. Peace out.

July 18, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

Hey Bedore, don't let a bunch of snarky lurkers spook you. Hang out, chat about the important things in life (ie- KU Basketball) and ignore the rest.

July 18, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

thetagger (anonymous) says...

Hey... I never got my KUsports Tshirt either for winning Guess the Points for one of the tourney games (KU-Nova, I think). They're skirting on their responsibilities of "prize awarders"! I demand action!!

Or not. You know, whatever.

July 18, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

Gary, as JayCeph says, please don't stop interacting with us because of a few lunatics. I always enjoy the direct interaction with you.

July 18, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

Gary - I concur with JayCeph and actorman.

July 18, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

chuckberry32 (anonymous) says...

Bedore, I agree with jayCeph! Most people on here (I hope) aren't the whiners who complain about every article!!!

July 18, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkjayhawk81 (anonymous) says...

You guys are all stupid... he was commenting on it taking 3 days longer than vegas to get this story here,,,not plagerizing;;; and it was a hilarious response

July 18, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

Previous post from rockchalkjayhawk81:

Posted on June 16 at 3:20 p.m.

She was probably an ugly beeatch,, she should feel fortunate that a national champion would want to rub his dangle in front of her... hell, he can slap his jimmy against my forehead if he wants to. i mean who you going to trust some skank that works at the towers(i lived there, they are all skanks) or the guy who dished it to mario against memphins

On Civil suit hits Collins for $75K

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2008/ju...

-----------------------

Who did you say is stupid?

July 18, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jaminrawk (anonymous) says...

It doesn't matter if Robinson makes the Rockets roster. He's showcasing right now anyway. If he plays well enough, there is a chance someone in the NBA might sign him.

July 18, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

Jaminrawk... how dare you actually comment on a germane topic born from the concrete subject matter of this article!

If there were more people like you, we might actually become an enlightened user-base... for shame! ;)

July 18, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

esorrentino (Eric Sorrentino) says...

Thank you Ceph, actorman, and chuckberry for actually holding an intellectual conversation with us.

July 18, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

Truly, the pleasure is all mine. That is why I come back to this site (daily, hourly, minutely) to see what's going on in the world of Jayhawk (© Kansas University) basketball.

Keep up the good work!

July 18, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...

I agree with JayCeph on that one, and our writers generally make good points and write interesting stories, but I have to contend that were no one to bash the journalistic skills of the writers and slander the entire staff then Tom Keegan's ego might swell dangerously... for both him and the rest of us.

July 18, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

Thanks, Eric. I find the site to be a godsend, being as deprived of daily Jayhawk news as I am out here in California.

July 18, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KoolKeithFreeze (anonymous) says...

For the record, I wasn't accusing anyone of plagiarism, more of tardiness (and maybe a bit of laziness?), because I saw the 'attribution' to the Sun in there. But I had no idea Greene was working there now, that's crazy. Too bad we lost him. Hope the Spodcasters doesn't die with all these guys getting shuffled around...

July 18, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

WilburNether (anonymous) says...

actorman, read the posts that were the subject of subsequent posts, and save yourself the trouble of making silly, irrelevant comments. And do register yourself as The Official Lapdog of the Lawrence Journal-World. It's a truth in advertising thing, you know.

Or better still, just stick with acting.

July 18, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

rockchalkjayhawk81 - Are you trying to ask me out on a date? You would have better luck at getting Sherron, as you so eloquently put it, "...slap his jimmy against (your) forehead if he wants to."

Anyway, you continue to prove my point. Your next semi-intelligent post will be your first. Now, get in your Yugo and head back to the trailer park in Lincoln where you came from. The sooner Jayhawk Nation is rid of you and your inane ramblings, the better.

~ Warmest Regards ~

July 19, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohioburg (anonymous) says...

By Ryan Greene ¢ July 16, 2008 ¢ 8:58 PM
By Gary Bedore (Contact) Posted Friday, July 18, 2008

Not quite three days, eh, WilburNether?

July 20, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. ( | suggest removal )