BY RONNIE GALLAGHER
SALISBURY POST

Bobby Jackson knows his place on the Sacramento Kings roster is secure.

But there are a couple of other roster spots that have caught his interest — as well as a nation of basketball fans:

• Will Chris Webber, a free agent, return?
• What will the trade of Jason Williams do to his playing time?

Jackson doesn’t have the answers just yet. They won’t come until October training camp begins. But he does have his own theories.

Jackson was in Salisbury when the news hit that Williams, a flashy but volatile, third-year guard, had been sent to the Grizzlies for Vancouver point guard Mike Bibby, the No. 2 pick in the 1998 draft.

“I hope it means a starting role for me.” said Jackson, who served last year as Sacramento’s sixth man. “I know Mike Bibby. He’s a nice addition to our team.”

Jackson is very much looking forward to meeting Bibby in head-to-head competition during practice.

“Whoever plays the best and plays the hardest will get the job,” he said. “There won’t be any ego problems.

“I like his game. He knows how to get the ball to everybody.”

n

Jackson says he will be pumped up for another challenge. After all, challenges have molded him.

It has been well-documented that he grew up in a poor environment but was led in the right direction by his mother. He worked as a lifeguard to get the money for his basketball shoes. He had two knee injuries in junior college but overcame them. Although a small guard for Minnesota, he led the Gophers to national prominence and was the Big Ten Player of the Year.

Being an underdog who overcomes is what Jackson is all about.

“I’m going to come in (to camp) in great shape and do whatever they ask,” he said. “They don’t have to worry about anything from my end.”

n

While the Williams-Bibby trade affects him directly, the Webber decision will affect the team, the city and the entire NBA. The 6-10 Webber is considered one of the league’s top players.

The city has practically begged him to re-sign. The owners even put up billboards urging him to stay. And with salary cap restrictions of other interested parties, it might be his best choice as far as dollar signs.

Webber has gone back and forth on the issue.

“When he first got to Sacramento, he didn’t like it there,” Jackson said. “Now, he’s found a nice little home.

“If you know C-Webb, you know the type of person he is. He’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. He has had troubles in the past but he has grown.”

Jackson smiles.

“My opinion? He hasn’t let anyone know what he’s going to do yet but I think he’s coming back to Sacramento because of the friendships he has developed.”

And if C-Webb leaves?

We’d just have to move on,” Jackson shrugged. “I don’t want to look at that picture. I want to stay positive.”

n

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