Bobby Jackson dribbled downcourt as if the ball were on a string. He then made a move that had one onlooker gawk, “That’s another level.”

“Of course, it’s another level,” his buddy responds. “He’s a pro, man.”

It had been just another average pickup basketball game at the Salisbury YMCA during Friday’s lunch time until Jackson took the floor. Then, there was nothing average about it.

Because Jackson really is on another level. He is a bona fide NBA player, a veteran of four seasons.

He is also a native of Salisbury and when the offseason comes, so does Bobby. To see friends. To love up on his mother. And to play a lot of basketball against old friends — and some strangers — who actually think they can stay with the player the Sacramento Kings refer to as their energizer bunny.

“It gets them up and let’s them talk junk,” smiled the 28-year old Jackson of the YMCA competition. “Everybody wants to come out here and guard me. But it’s fun.”

Last year at this time, questions abounded. Jackson was a free agent and it was apparent the Minnesota Timberwolves were not going to re-sign the beloved point guard who led Clem Haskins and the University of Minnesota to the Final Four in his senior season.

But B-Jack hit the jackpot. Sacramento thought he’d be a perfect backup backcourt mate to Jason Williams and paid Jackson handsomely: $13.5 million over five years. He wowed the raucous, appreciative fans who nightly packed Arco Arena with his hard-nosed play. He instantly became a fan favorite.

The team became one of the league’s showpieces, a high-scoring, free-wheeling entertainment package, second only to the Lakers and Allen Iverson. The Kings finished 55-27 in the regular season. Only the Lakers, Spurs and Sixers sported better numbers.

And Jackson was a key to the highest scoring offense in the league. In fact, NBA analyst Hubie Brown picked him for the Sixth Man Award on national TV.

“Everything went extremely well,” says Jackson. “Sacramento’s a great place for me because people like to see guys who play hard. The community welcomed me with open arms. It’s a great, great city and the fans are crazy for us.”

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Who wouldn’t be crazy for players who come through in the clutch?

There was the game against Portland, when Jackson stole the ball from Scottie Pippen and sealed a victory with a layup.

And then, there was the first round of the playoffs against Phoenix. When Sacramento lost the first game at home, whispers began about the Kings’ focus. Someone would have to step up in Game 2 and help regain the momentum.

Guess who?

Jackson went 6-of-7, hit two of three 3-pointers and scored 16 points in a 116-90 rout. He even tied Chris Webber for the team lead in rebounding with nine.

“I was put in so many different situations that I had to show confidence,” Jackson said. “The team knows I’m going to play hard every last minute.”

The season came crashing to a halt against a suddenly red-hot Laker team that went on to win it all. The Kings lost in four straight.

Perhaps the most memorable Bobby Jackson moment was seen nation-wide when the 5-11 Jackson scooted after a loose ball, along with a guy named Shaq. Jackson tumbled into the crowd. Shaq tumbled into the crowd. Jackson disappeared.

“I tried to get him off me but Shaq’s just a big boy,” chuckled Jackson. “Really, I thought we had a great chance to win that series but we played our worst basketball of the year at the wrong time.”

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Jackson says he is in awe of no one except Michael Jordan, who he refers to as “Mike, the greatest player who ever lived.” But he adds, “Sometimes, I catch myself and say, “I’m out here.”

The NBA should love that Jackson is out there. He’s one of the good guys. And he’s a good guy at a good time. People are down on the NBA as evidenced by suffering attendance.

“There’s so much going on in sports,” Jackson said, “so many crimes, guys breaking rules, smoking weed ... it’s unbelievable.

“But I don’t drink. And I don’t smoke. I just play hard.”

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Even if it’s a pickup game at the Y.

He whips a pass inside to Bryan McCullough, who doesn’t miss. The recently-graduated star at North Rowan is headed for UNC-Asheville and he appeared to be thrilled to play on Jackson’s team.

Jackson doesn’t shoot much on this day. Mostly passes. But when he wants to, some NBA quickness is turned up a notch.

He is in Salisbury until August, when he’ll fly back to Sacramento and begin preparing much harder for the 2001-2002 season.

But when word gets out that he’s playing at the Y, people shuffle in for autographs or just to say hi.

“I don’t relax when I come home,” he said. “I’m always on the go. I’m here only two months and everybody wants to see me. I try to make everybody happy.”

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Many professional athletes have trouble keeping everybody happy. When you make millions, there are cling-ons and bad seeds coming out of the woodwork. Jackson has always avoided those problems by simply hanging with the right buddies.

“They’re the same guys I knew when I was growing up,” he points out. “These guys will always tell you, I come back here and play. Wherever I go, they’re welcome to go too.

“I never change my attitude about how much money I’ve got because I’m in the NBA. My mom always taught me to treat people like I wanted to be treated.”

Bobby Jackson doesn’t have to worry about how he is treated or perceived here.

“Salisbury will always be my home until the day I die,” he said.

And when he’s here, like Friday afternoon, he plays ball.

Oh sure, he got his shot smacked out of bounds once. He had a guy hit a jumper with him nearby. But the end result is what counts to Jackson.

“It’s all about winning,” he said, sauntering back toward the court.

“And I haven’t lost a game all day.”

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Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4256 or rgallagher@salisburypost.com .