Jackson gets a fresh start

Stephen Jackson was anticipating hearing boos when he took the floor for the Pacers against the Celtics last night at the FleetCenter.

The last time Jackson put on his Indiana uniform was Nov. 19 in Auburn Hills, Mich., when he was involved in an ugly brawl with fans during a game against the Pistons.

For his part, Jackson was hit with a 30-game suspension, costing him more than $1.7 million in wages.

And Jackson's character, which took a major hit, can only be rebuilt game by game on the court. He plans to ignore the catcalls, though he understands the significance of his behavior and understands why he will be jeered.

Jackson intends to let his actions speak for him. "That's part of it," he said. "I think I have to show people what I learned from that situation. It's part of the game. Bring it on. I'm ready for it. I want to show people that I'm a basketball player." He scored 17 points on 6-of-18 shooting last night.

Before the game, Jackson was as fidgety as a rookie on opening night. It wasn't just a midseason game on a snowy night in Boston. It was special.

"This is up there with winning the NBA championship [with San Antonio in 2003] and signing with this team," said Jackson. "I'm nervous, but I think once I get out there and get a couple of shots in, I'll be all right. I can't stay still. It feels like my first game this year. I want to go out and help immediately."

Jackson woke up at 3 yesterday morning, went back to sleep, and woke up again at 6. He tried to get back to sleep, but at 6:45 he was up for the day.

"I couldn't sleep. We had our shootaround and I didn't go back to sleep after that. I just turned on the television and watched `SportsCenter,' " said Jackson. When the time of the Pacers-Celtics game scrolled across the bottom of the television screen, he felt a chill. "I'm used to seeing it when I'm at the hotel," he said. "But now I know I'm going to play in the game."

He was worried about trying to do too much when he entered the game. "I'm going to try to let the game come to me, let it happen," he said. "Try to get back on the level with the team. I just want to be solid and contribute."

The Pacers need him. While Indiana went 7-2 in the first nine games of his suspension, they have been sagging of late. Over the last two months, the Pacers have gone 10-15.

James Jones (5.3 points per game) and Michael Curry (1.7 ppg) shared the small forward position but since Jackson was suspended, the Pacers' starting small forwards have been outscored, 463-186.

During his suspension, Jackson missed the camaraderie of his teammates most. While his team battled on the court, he sat in hotel rooms and at home.

"I didn't realize how much I missed it," he said. "Winning with my team, losing with my teammates, going into overtime with my team, I miss everything about being a part of the team. I miss not playing basketball. This is a big day for me. I want to put all this behind me. Block everything out. This is what I need to do."

Jackson feels it will be a while before he feels in synch.

"I'd be lying to you if I told you I'm going out there and everything's going to be like it should be from the first game," said Jackson. "It will take a while to get my timing, my rhythm, and my shape back. But I'm going to work at it."