Jamison senses big turnaround at Golden State

By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Antawn Jamison is ready to commit.

Antawn Jamison, left, has attended the Pete Newell Big Man Camp the past three years. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

It's commitment that, if he has his way, will keep Jamison in a Golden State uniform until the day he retires.

"In this league, the only way to be successful is if your best players make a commitment," he said. "I think that if I do that, maybe some of the other guys will, too."

If all goes as planned, Jamison and the Warriors will be happily bound to one another well before Jamison becomes a free agent next summer.

Jamison, here for the Pete Newell Big Man Camp at Kamehameha Schools, says negotiations for an extension are going well and should be wrapped up by the end of the month.

"In a week or two we'll definitely have a decision," he said. "It's just a matter of time. We'll get it done."

Jamison is believed to be seeking the maximum six-year, $83.7 million contract for which he is eligible. The two sides have until October 31 to work out an extension that would begin after the 2001-02 season.

For most of his first two years in the league, Jamison was known more for who he was traded for on draft day — North Carolina teammate Vince Carter — than for his own accomplishments on the court. He averaged just 9.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in an injury-plagued first season. He improved dramatically (19.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg.) in the 1999-2000 season, but appeared in just 43 games because of injuries.

Jamison exploded last year, averaging 24.9 points and 8.7 rebounds while playing a full 82-game schedule in the NBA's rugged Western Conference. The only problem was that no other core player on the team was healthy enough to play more than 69 games. The result was a miserable 17-65 season, second worst in the league.

So why not explore free agency next year?

"All my friends say to stick it out for a year then leave, but I think this is a great situation," Jamison said. "I'm confident that if the guys we have stay healthy, we can be successful. With all the injuries we've had, we haven't had a team to play."

Given his team's recent fortunes (Golden State hasn't made the playoffs in seven years), Jamison's sense of loyalty is even more surprising than that demonstrated by his close friend, Carter, who shocked many by signing an extension to stay in Toronto.

For Jamison, though, it all makes perfect sense. The code he and Carter follow is as true as Carolina blue.

"Carolina is all about the commitment," Jamison said. "Our teams have made a commitment to us."

Jamison is visiting Newell's camp for the third time in hopes of further expanding his game.

"I want to do it all," he said. "I want to be able to bring the ball down, post up, pass off the dribble, run the offense. I don't want to have any limitations."

With the expected return of power forward Danny Fortson, Jamison says he expects to take advantage of his skills at the small forward spot. Ironically, it was only after Fortson missed 76 games last year with a broken foot that Jamison really took off.

"Having (Fortson) there will take the pressure off of me a lot," Jamison said. "Without him, a lot of the big guys would cover me, but with him, I can play the 3 more."

Jamison said he is also encouraged by the Warriors' incoming rookies — Jason Richardson, Troy Murphy and Gilbert Arenas.

"They're talented, they want to win and, most importantly, they're willing to learn," he said.