We sit down with Jim Jackson — 14-year NBA veteran, McDonald’s All-American, First Team All-American at Ohio State, and Justin’s former broadcast partner — for a fast-moving, story-rich conversation. We revisit the Dapper Dan Classic where teenage Shaq went coast to coast, the raw electricity of ARCO Arena with the early-2000s Kings, and a steakhouse window into Kobe Bryant’s mindset during the post-Shaq reset. Jim opens up on his famous Mavericks rookie holdout, how one shoe change altered his career trajectory, and what he learned playing alongside stars from Yao Ming to Steve Nash and Jason Kidd. We also hit underrated killers, Big East nostalgia, Grant Hill what-ifs, and the ultimate Michael Jordan trash-talk line about the shoes on Jim’s feet. It is equal parts legacy, honesty, and behind-the-scenes detail you rarely hear. Settle in, subscribe, and share with a fellow hoops lifer who remembers all of it.
Timestamps:
(00:00:01) - Justin welcomes Jim Jackson and sets the stage
(00:01:46) - Vegas tournament memories and the Piero’s ear-hustle moment
(00:03:52) - McDonald’s All-American class roll call and camp culture
(00:07:03) - First time seeing Shaq live at Dapper Dan
(00:09:24) - KG comparison and the evolution of bigs
(00:11:03) - McDonald’s week stories and near-miss with Shaq
(00:15:54) - Why Ohio State was not the first choice
(00:16:39) - Big East Monday and recruiting pull
(00:17:42) - Syracuse visit with Kenny Anderson
(00:18:57) - Decision twists and Ohio State’s resurgence
(00:22:28) - First Team All-American lineup memory
(00:23:32) - Classic USC game vs Harold Miner
(00:24:36) - Laettner’s greatness in college hoops
(00:26:56) - From All-Americans to facing NBA legends
(00:27:52) - Rookie baptism vs Hakeem and Barkley
(00:29:12) - The Mavericks holdout and business of basketball
(00:34:49) - Losing early in Dallas and the grind
(00:37:24) - Flying with the Three J’s before the injury
(00:38:21) - The shoe switch and devastating ankle sprain
(00:39:40) - 12 teams in 14 years and Suns roster snapshot
(00:40:22) - Houston trade saga that led to Phoenix
(00:42:22) - Betting on himself and landing with the Suns
(00:43:05) - Jason Kidd vs Steve Nash breakdown
(00:45:28) - Why the Three J’s never got a full season
(00:47:58) - The what-ifs and lost potential
(00:49:39) - Grant Hill’s unstoppable early prime
(00:50:53) - Playing with Yao Ming and China Games 2004
(00:52:40) - Yao’s personality, culture, and skill
(00:54:18) - Steve Francis, Iverson, and coaching clashes
(00:58:08) - Sacramento: Adelman, Princeton flow, and joy returns
(01:00:25) - Small market, big energy, and ARCO cowbells
(01:01:56) - Raiders road trip and team-wide hangouts
(01:02:34) - Off-day in Vegas and C-Webb’s suitcase
(01:05:31) - Why camaraderie wins
(01:06:11) - Lakers 05–06 and steakhouse talks with Kobe
(01:07:42) - Kobe’s process and mission to win post-Shaq
(01:09:50) - Adapting midseason and fitting new systems
(01:12:56) - The do-it-all high school point-center
(01:14:39) - Most talented team: 98–99 Blazers
(01:15:23) - Toughest covers and the 90s two-guard gauntlet
(01:16:56) - Best MJ story and the Jumpman punchline
(01:18:09) - What was said in the trash talk
(01:20:13) - Most underrated: Marciulionis and Brian Grant
(01:21:35) - Favorite cities and lifestyle fits
(01:22:25) - Ron Harper and the cigar habit
(01:22:57) - The pregame pretzel ritual, arenas ranked
(01:23:52) - Full-circle joy of calling college and NBA
(01:25:26) - Sign-off and future dinners on Jalen Brunson
Key Topics:
MJ trash talk, Jordan shoe line, 90s Bulls nostalgia
Shaq’s high school dominance, Dapper Dan Classic, McDonald’s All-American stories
Mavericks rookie holdout, NBA business, injury turning points
Kings era chemistry, ARCO Arena energy, C-Webb and Bibby
Yao Ming’s skill and culture, Steve Francis and Iverson coaching dynamics
Kidd vs Nash comparison, Grant Hill what-ifs, Kobe’s mindset
About Jim Jackson:
Jim Jackson is a 14-year NBA veteran and First Team All-American from Ohio State who was selected fourth overall by the Dallas Mavericks in 1992. A McDonald’s All-American and elite scorer, he played for iconic franchises across the league and later became a respected national broadcaster, bringing an insider’s lens to both college and NBA coverage.
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