Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones should have changed his nickname from Pacman to Lack-a-Sense.

One has to admit Lack-a-Sense Jones has a ring to it and most definitely applies.

But we come here not to bury Jones, who allegedly had a fight last week with his team- appointed bodyguard in the bathroom of a hotel.

One of my younger journalism protégés, Stephen A. Smith of ESPN, while discussing Jones' predicament, noted too many African American athletes have been getting into trouble and need to recognize they might be targets.

Moreover, Smith said, African American athletes need to accept more responsibility for their actions.

Smith did not say all African American athletes were getting into trouble. He didn't say only African American athletes were getting into trouble. He just said African American athletes have been getting into trouble, and at a seemingly inordinate rate.

Smith's statement was on the money. Most people understand there are socioeconomic explanations for why black athletes get into trouble, but the numbers don't lie.

Smith made a broad-based statement that black athletes need to wake up. In part, because Smith and I are black we feel comfortable making these statements. In these politically correct times, a white journalist taking this position likely would set off a firestorm.

Even Smith, after taking this position on ESPN's "First Take," received a number of e-mails. My guess is that number would have doubled or tripled had he been white.

Hey, the Elk Grove police have stopped me less than 100 yards from my home for driving too slowly. At least that's what I was told. The point is, athletes of any ethnicity often are higher-profile than regular folk and need to be aware of the accompanying pitfalls.

African American athletes need to be more aware. That's only real.

Jackson takes scissors to Nikes

Veteran Kings guard Bobby Jackson committed what could be considered a sin Tuesday when, in Portland, Ore., to play the Trail Blazers, he cut the tops off his high-topped Nikes.

Nike's headquarters are located in nearby Beaverton and representatives were shocked to see Jackson, who doesn't like the feel of high-tops, had cut them off to more closely resemble three-quarter-cut sneakers.

"One guy asked what I'd done to the sneakers," Jackson, wearing the raggedly cut shoes, said Wednesday after practice. "I told him I don't like high-tops but that's what they sent me."

Jackson also had taken scissors to his adidas practice sweat bottoms because they were too long.

Nobody can say he showed preferential treatment.

Ellis' story still suspicious

Monta Ellis maintains he hurt his left leg and ankle this summer while riding a low-speed moped.

Clearly, the Warriors aren't going for the banana in the tailpipe. Doing as much damage as he did is highly unlikely while riding a moped unless he was doing wheelies.

Sounds more like the man was on a motorcycle or something.

Golden State gave Ellis nearly two months to come clean and it appears neither he nor his agent, Jeff Fried, has convinced the Warriors he's telling the truth.

The team suspended him 30 games without pay Saturday. However, since Ellis likely will miss 45 games or so rehabilitating his ankle, 30 games aren't that much of a hit. It could have been worse.

Call The Bee's Martin McNeal, (916) 326-5506.