Stackhouse: 'I Can Still Provide a Spark'

ORLANDO, Fla. -- At this stage of his career, Jerry Stackhouse isn't trying to win a title anymore -- he missed a golden opportunity in 2006 with Dallas. He just wants to leave this game with his head high.

Stackhouse, 35, is one of only two guards from the 1995 NBA Draft who still is playing in the league. He was signed late last month by the Milwaukee Bucks after Michael Redd was lost for the season with a knee injury.

In eight games, he has averaged 18.3 minutes, 6.8 points and 2.1 assists, still trying to find his place with a new system but impressing coaches with his surprisingly good conditioning for someone who hadn't played in a year.

It might not be a coincidence that the Bucks are 5-3 since he joined, hoping now for their first playoff appearance in four years.

"I want to go out on my terms. That was my motivation. I still have something to offer. I still have something left in the tank,'' Stackhouse said Tuesday night after the Bucks played the Orlando Magic. "I can still provide a spark.''

Stackhouse was idle almost all of last season, bumped early from the Mavericks rotation, then wasting it on the sideline with a season-long foot injury. He played only 10 games. It was easily the most frustrating season in his 14 years.

Stackhouse has a career scoring average of 18.4 points. He averaged a career-best 29.8 points during the 2000-01 season in Detroit, where he played in two All-Star Games. Originally the third pick in the '95 Draft, he has 15,809 points in his career.

"I'll play as long as I feel I can compete. And I feel that way now. I've taken good care of myself. There is no reason why I can't keep playing. And this pays better than the car-pool line.''
- Jerry Stackhouse "I'll play as long as I feel I can compete. And I feel that way now,'' he said. "I've taken good care of myself. There is no reason why I can't keep playing. And this pays better than the car-pool line.''

There are only six players still playing from that '95 Draft, and one of them is Milwaukee's backup center Kurt Thomas. The only other guard still playing is Michael Finley in San Antonio. The others are Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess and Joe Smith.

"You're body takes a pounding in this league. And the big guys just tend to last longer,'' he said. "I knew I had at least another year left. I just didn't know where it would be.''

Stackhouse spent the offseason working out with a local high school team near his home in the Atlanta area. He also coached his son's basketball team. Although he would have liked to sign with a more serious contender, his options were limited, especially after last season in Dallas.

"He's been doing what he's done all his career, making shots, scoring,'' said Bucks coach Scott Skiles. "Considering he was out a year, I was impressed how he looked, his conditioning. We just have to find ways to extend his minutes, get him more involved. He can help us.''

Skiles is hoping that Stackhouse can help teach his younger guys like rookie Brandon Jennings, Luc Mbah a Moute and Ersan Ilyasova what it takes to be successful in a playoff chase.

"I'm going to go as long as I can. I want to be on 'E,' when I go out,'' Stackhouse said. "And finish on my terms.''