Aug. 6, 1999
SportsLine wire reports

SAN ANTONIO -- One day after adding some guard help off the bench, the San Antonio Spurs re-signed shooting guard

	T O P   N E W S

Jaren Jackson to an undisclosed contract.

The move comes 24 hours after the Spurs signed free agent Terry Porter to a reported three-year deal.

Known as a journeyman through his first seven years in the NBA, the 6-foot-6 Jackson flourished in San Antonio. With the Spurs' Twin Towers -- Tim Duncan and David Robinson -- drawing double teams inside, Jackson was the beficiary of numerous open shots from the perimeter.

Jackson excelled in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. With Duncan being constantly double-teamed by the Knicks, Jackson made four of his five 3-point tries and scored 14 of his 17 points over the final 24 minutes as San Antonio won 89-77.

Jackson, 31, led the team in 3-pointers made and attempted during the regular season, connecting on 53-of-147 (36 percent). It was more of the same in San Antonio's title run, during which he again posted team highs in both categories by hitting 31-of-86 (36 percent) from 3-point range.

During the regular season, Jackson averaged 6.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 47 games, shooting 38 percent from the field and 82 percent from the foul line. His averages rose to 8.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in the playoffs.

Signing a free agent deal with San Antonio shortly before the 1997-98 campaign was the best move Jackson could have made. His 2,226 minutes played that year surpassed his combined total from his first seven NBA seasons and he averaged career highs of 8.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists.

The Georgetown product has averaged 5.5 points and 1.8 rebounds in 325 regular season games with New Jersey, Golden State, the Los Angeles Clippers, Portland, Philadelphia, Houston, Washington and San Antonio.

On Thursday, the Spurs signed Porter and the San Antonio Express-News reported he agreed to a three-year, $6.6 million deal. The report also stated San Antonio would use its $2 million contract exception on the 14-year NBA veteran.

The 36-year-old Porter, who will reportedly receive the Spurs' $2 million contract exception, can play either guard position and will serve as a backup. Porter, a two-time All-Star, averaged 10.5 points, 2.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game for the Miami Heat last season.

The main concern for the Spurs this offseason is to plan for the absence of forward Sean Elliott, who needs a kidney transplant.