Stephen Jackson talks basketball, rapping and more with SLAM magazine

April 17, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Stephen Jackson (3) controls the ball against the defense of Los Angeles Lakers small forward Matt Barnes (9) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Stephen Jackson ate more ribs — in slow motion no less — than he played basketball this offseason. If he wasn’t working on his new rap album “Jack of All Trades”, set to release in late October, he was promoting the album and vice-versa.

He also spoke frequently with the media, a task in which he actually enjoys. Imagine that.

Basically, he dabbled in everything — aside from basketball, which just so happens to be his career. But because he’s Jack and he’s implemented the same workout “regimen” in each offseason, there is no cause to worry.

Plus we wouldn’t be able to enjoy stuff like his most recent Q&A with SLAM, where he talks about his career, his hometown of Port Arthur and, of course, his rapping career.

Here is an excerpt from a typically candid interview:

SLAM: Yeah, you’re kind of an old head in the League now. Could you have ever imagined you’d last more than a decade in the NBA?

SJ: You know what, man, I wouldn’t a said that. I couldn’t of told you I was gonna live to see 25. So to be able to say I’ve been in the NBA for 12 years now, to be able to have a lovely wife, six beautiful kids and it’s looking like a beautiful career in music, it’s been a blessing. I think I’ve been blessed because I’ve always been humble. What you see is what you get from me. I’m not trying to be something I’m not, and I’ve always given everyone the same respect they gave me. I think the game’s taken care of me because I’ve always played every game like it’s my last.

Hat-tip to Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News.