Written by wendell maxey | 21 February 2011

Update: Lost in Tuesday's trade watch news from around the league, was Jarrett Jack facing the media in New Orleans after being arrested for DUI over the weekend. A remorseful Jack said he is "deeply sorry" for creating the issue for himself and the Hornets, as the organization waits for the legal process to play out.

“We certainly don’t take this lightly because it is a serious matter,’’ Hornets Coach Monty Williams said in an interview with the Times Picayune. “He understands it, and he feels bad about it. With all that being said, I’m really disappointed about it. This was a time for us to go home, relax and come back recharged and deal with basketball — and now we have to deal with this...."

Jack is cleared to play Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers at the New Orleans Arena.

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Update:Thanks to Casey Holdahl for passing this on Jack this morning - some rather unfortunate news to say the least. The headline from the Atlanta Journal Constitution says it all: Former Tech star Jarrett Jack arrested for DUI in Gwinnett...

"The officer paced the vehicle, verifying that it was speeding, and observed the vehicle cross the center line and the fog line," Snellville Police Chief Roy Whitehead wrote in an email. "He stopped the vehicle and smelled an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the driver, Jarrett Matthew Jack. He conducted field sobriety tests, which Mr. Jack failed."

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There was no stop in Hollywood on Jarrett Jack's travel plan over All-Star weekend.

No Justin Bieber, no Cee-Lo Green, no Blake Griffin dunking over a car hood or Kobe Bryant taking home MVP honors. Instead, this former Portland Trail Blazer, Indiana Pacer and Toronto Raptor guard spent his days shuttling between Washington D.C. to see his parents and Atlanta to check in on his apartment, before heading back to New Orleans to prepare for the second half of the NBA season.

Just another long trip for Jack.

Over the next couple of months, Jack could be going places he's never been before - the playoffs. Then again, even Jarrett knows "tomorrow isn't promised" in many ways.

For as much success the Hornets and the Georgia Tech alum had in Janurary (12-4 and tying a franchise-high for wins in a month), February (2-5) has been full of heartbreak in the "Big Easy".

And Jack knows all about heartbreak.

That's what happens when you are traded three times over the last three seasons. Bad news. New team. Different city. Same expectations. Over his five years in the NBA, each year brings another opportunity to reflect on where he's at and how he got there. 

"I've always understood that aspect - the business side of basketball. The biggest adjustment for me is, I've never had to deal with it (being traded) in the middle of the season and learning the language this team uses," Jack told Beyond the Beat.

"A lot of stuff we used in Toronto is the exact opposite of what we use here; different philosophies and calls, so that was the most difficult."

Jack arrived in New Orleans early last November in a deal that sent the fifth-year pro to the Hornets, along with Marcus Banks and David Anderson, for Jerryd Bayless and Peja Stojakovic. In fact, it was the second time in Jack's career that he'd been swapped for Bayless [Jarrett was sent to Indiana as part of a 2008 draft day trade between the Blazers and Pacers]. And while it took Jack a little time to settle in with the Hornets, he's seemed to have found his groove lately coming off the bench for head coach Monty Williams, and pulling down double duty behind Chris Paul and Willie Green. 

"I'm just trying to be aggressive and go all out. Whatever it calls for, I'm up for it," continued Jack, who has strung together five-straight double-digit games.

On the season, Jack is averaging 7.6 points and 2.8 assists per game between Toronto and New Orleans.

Another plus: he's healthy, or at least plays through the pain - Jack is next in line for "Iron Man".

With 347-straight games played, Jack holds the second-longest active games played streak (behind the Los Angeles Lakers' Derek Fisher - 467), which began on January 27, 2007 and stretched over the last four seasons between Portland, Indiana, Toronto and now New Orleans.

Standing in the visitor's locker room at the Rose Garden following the Hornets loss to Portland before the break, Jack couldn't help but think of his time spent playing for the Blazers and Nate McMillan, and alongside Brandon Roy.. Jack said he's been keeping tabs on Portland; everything from Roy trying to return from double-knee surgery, to LaMarcus Aldridge's all-star snub job.

"I'm proud of him (Aldridge). It didn't happen by accident. That kid worked his butt off to get to the level he is playing at right now," Jack began.

It wasn't that long ago that Jack was in Portland backing up Steve Blake and feeding Aldridge on the block for the Blazers.

"I'm glad to see his hard work didn't go to waste. His confidence level is through the roof. He knows he belongs and what kind of player he wants to be. I remember people would say he was soft and couldn't establish himself in the paint, but he's doing a damn good job of that now."

Prior to the game between Portland and New Orleans, Jack said he had the chance to catch up with Roy and only hopes the best for the three-time all-star. Jack also wants Roy to take his time coming back to the game.

"I told him (Roy) to take it easy and just be cautious. Hopefully there is a lot more basketball ahead of him than just right now. We all know he probably could have played tonight, but we want to know if he can play tonight, tomorrow, and the next day after that.

"There is a wear and tear in this league and it's a grind, but you have to be ready to play. Tomorrow is not promised for anyone."

While Jack spent three seasons in Portland, he still hasn't experienced post season basketball.

That's a destination Jack hopes to reach this year in New Orleans.

"You see the implications and the brand of basketball is different when you are a team fighting for homecourt advantage. It's high intense basketball. If you want to be a good basketball player, you want to play in these kind of games when the stakes are the highest, especially in the Western Conference. You can't let a game slide."

Despite a mini three-game losing streak, the Hornets are a 6th seed in the West, right behind Portland, and host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. New Orleans is currently 20-8 at the "Hive".

With all the traveling Jack did over the weekend - from Portland, to DC, ATL, and the Big Easy - he can't wait to get home and back to business on the basketball court.

"For us to be a successful team in this league, we have to do the dirty work and grind it out. We are a blue collar basketball team and we have to hang our hat on that every night," said Jack.

"The games aren't always going to be pretty, but that's us."

 

photo: nba.com