<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Rockets thought they were getting a solid, if unspectacular role player that would blend in with established stars Steve Francis and Yao Ming when they signed free agent Jim Jackson last offseason. What they ended up with was their most consistent performer and leader for a team so desperately in need of veteran leadership. Jackson, a 13-year veteran, probably exceeded even his own expectations with his 2003-04 performance, which included career-highs in minutes played (3119), three-pointers made (162) and attempted (405), and rebounds (487). It's hard to imagine where the Rockets would have finished this season if not for Jackson. </div> Link Jim Jackson was deeply instrumental to our success this season. There is no doubt that he will be a key contributor again next season. What I'd like to see is for him to average somewhere around 30 minutes per game next season. The 40mpg season was wearing him down, and he showed that late in the season.