Stephen Jackson Welcomes Your Boos

The artist formerly known as Cap’n Jack will not be walking gingerly into the lions’ den (also known as Oracle Arena) tomorrow night: “Charlotte Bobcat Stephen Jackson forced his way out of the Golden State Warriors, so he’s not deluding himself about how he’ll be treated in his return to Oakland Friday. ‘I know I’m going to get booed,’ Jackson told the Observer Tuesday night. ‘I was booed while I was playing there, so I know I’m going to get booed. But I won’t pay any attention; I get booed in 15 (NBA) arenas. This won’t be any different to me.’ Jackson pushed for a trade because he felt the Warriors weren’t committed to winning. Wouldn’t the fans understand that with all that’s gone on since the Warriors upset the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs a few seasons ago? ‘Just some people are bitter. But that’s part of the game,’ Jackson said. ‘It’s not really going to be a factor of what the outcome of the game will be. This is about us being focused.”‘