That’s why he kept his lip buttoned this past season as a reserve for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Whether he played two minutes or 22, he gave as much as he could and kept smiling.

Now, the Salisbury native doesn’t know whether to smile or cry.

His 3-year, NBA rookie contract is officially over July 1 and now, it’s time for Jackson to be a me-first kind of guy.

He’s thinking money.

Which may or may not be a good thing for his future in Minnesota, a place where they loved him in college and love him as a professional.

“I’m ready to get out on my own,” Jackson said. “I want to be a starter, playing 25-30 minutes a game.”

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Jackson was in Salisbury recently, visiting his buddy Andrew Mitchell, the women’s basketball coach at Livingstone College, while lending his name to the school’s Bobby Jackson Basketball Camp.

The 27-year old sat on the steps outside Mitchell’s office, recalling the last few years — a whirlwind tour that took him from a poor environment here, to Western Nebraska Junior College to the Final Four with the University of Minnesota.

He was praised by the TNTcrew during the 1997 NBADraft, was a starter for the hapless Denver Nuggets and even scored 15 points in the Rookie All-Star Game.

When he was traded to the Timberwolves, Jackson appeared to be in heaven.

That is, until the Wolves traded for Terrell Brandon. And paid Brandon $10 million.

That is, until the Wolves drafted Duke’s William Avery. And paid him millions.

Suddenly, Jackson found himself squeezed out of playing time and languishing on the far end of the bench.

“When a guy’s an all-star and making $10 million like Terrell, you aren’t going to see the floor,” Jackson said. “And they wanted to try Avery. But he couldn’t get the job done because he’s young and at this point, the game is too upbeat for him.”

If Brandon was banged up or in foul trouble, coach Flip Saunders more often would turn to Jackson in the clutch.

Jackson never complained about his playing time, but how could he? He was on a team that won 50 games and made the Western Conference playoffs, before losing to Portland.

Still, inside, the wide differential in minutes from game to game has him wondering about his future in Minneapolis.

“It was real frustrating but when I got the chance to play, I put up big numbers,” Jackson said.

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And that’s why Jackson thinks big numbers are heading his way as far as his next contract.

“People know what I can do,” he said.

A lot of people. Toronto, Miami, Dallas, Vancouver, Atlanta, Milwaukee, the Clippers ... there are an abundance of teams needing a point guard with his experience.

He thinks about tossing lobs to Vince Carter for the slam or slipping a pass to Alonzo Mourning for a dunk. He thinks how he might fit in alongside a star like Ray Allen or Michael Finley.

He also doesn’t know if he’ll be involved in a trade or if he’ll sign a free agent contract.

Or whether Minnesota will resign him.

Saunders, who is also Minnesota’s general manager, has made it clear that Jackson needs to decide whether he wants to be like Howard Eisley of Utah and be the first guard off the bench or whether he wants to be a starter.

If Jackson chooses the latter route, chances of staying in Minnesota appear dim.

But Jackson won’t give up hope.

“Minnesota’s still at the top of my list,” he said. “They say they want me back. But it’s all about money.”

The Wolves paid Jackson $900,000 this past season. He isn’t bound by any restrictions from the collective bargaining agreement. They can pay him anything.

“I want the max,” Jackson said. “This will be my biggest contract and will pretty much set me for the rest of my life.”

The “max,” in his mind, is a 7-year, $25 million deal. Maybe $30 million. But the Wolves may not want to spend that much on him and instead, develop Avery. And Jackson says he understands.

“If they can’t pay me what I want,” he shrugs, “I’ll go somewhere else.”

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Make no mistake about it. Bobby Jackson will play in the NBA next year. Somewhere. And he knows it. There is simply too much interest being expressed to Jackson and his agent Andy Miller.

Maybe it’s because when the fickle Timberwolves coaching staff did allow Jackson to play, he usually came through with some impressive numbers.

He points to a late-season game against Sacramento when Brandon was injured.

Unsure about putting Avery in for a long stint, Saunders handed the ball to Jackson.

And Bobby took it. When the game was over, he had a triple double. And the much-heralded Jason Williams? Four points and badly outplayed.

“I try to take anybody, whether it’s Jason Williams or Jason Kidd,” Jackson said. “That’s how much confidence I have in my game.

“I feel I can bring a lot to the table for somebody who needs a point guard. I’ve been in the league for three years and know what to expect.”

On paper, it’s as easy as pie to figure out. Sign with Minnesota. Stay in familiar surroundings. Play with some of the best friends he’s ever had. Entertain his beloved fans.

Reality? Brandon still starts, Avery is still groomed and Bobby Jackson is playing in another city.

“It’s a real crazy business,” Jackson said, shaking his head. “You don’t know why things happen. But if I do go somewhere else, I want to go to a contending team. Ireally enjoyed the playoffs and I want to get back.”

The numbers “25” and “30” have more significance than just million-dollar signs. They’re the number of minutes per game that Bobby Jackson is craving.

Will he get his “25 or 30” in Minnesota?

Stay tuned.

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