The Rockets have a new backup point guard.
After working him out, the team signed 38-year old Mark Jackson on Thursday, completing the 12-man roster.
"Mark is an experienced veteran who had made a name for himself in this league," said Rockets GM Carroll Dawson. "His career statistics speak for themselves but I think his veteran leadership qualities will be just as important to our team. His familiarity with our coaching staff and the system we run will also be a big plus."
Jackson has career averages of 8.1 assists per game over 16 seasons, but is definitely up there in age for the NBA. He has been looking for work this season after playing last year with the Jazz. With the Rockets he will be reunited with former coach Jeff Van Gundy and former teammate Patrick Ewing.
Jackson will most likely take the minutes that Mike Wilks was running and the team hopes his unselfish play will rub off on Steve Francis.
"There are a lot of teams out there that have young point guards who are learning on the job," Jackson told the Salt Lake Tribune back in November. "If anyone wants to speed up the learning process, I think I can help. I've been a starter and a backup in this league. I don't have an ego."
