An underrated storyline of the 2021 NBA Playoffs has been the return of Reggie Jackson. Jackson has arguably been the second-best scoring option on the Los Angeles Clippers this postseason behind Paul George. This is coming from a guy who put up averages this season of 10.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 23 minutes per game. So how good is Reggie Jackson really? His career to date has been a rollercoaster ride but it seems to be at its peak right now.
The Return of Reggie Jackson
Oklahoma City Thunder
Jackson was drafted as a late first-round pick (24th overall) by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2011. He would spend the first two years of his career playing in a reserve role behind Russell Westbrook before getting starter minutes in year three. Over his year and a half getting starters minutes in OKC, he averaged 13 points and 4.2 assists. Because of his improvement, Jackson wanted to be a starting point guard in the NBA and would request a trade during the final year of his rookie contract. During the trade deadline in 2015, Jackson was granted his wish. He would be traded to the Detroit Pistons for D.J. Augustin, Kyle Singler, and a 2019 second-round pick.
Detroit Pistons
Over the second half of the 2014-15 season, Jackson started to breakout. He would average 17.6 points and 9.2 assists over 27 games. The next season (2015-16) would be Jackson’s best year as a pro. He put up averages of 18.8 points and 6.2 assists in 30.7 minutes while playing 79 games. However, his time in Detroit would go downhill from there. Over the next two seasons, he played 52 and 45 games due to lingering knee issues. During the 2018-19 season, he managed to play all 82 games but his averages dropped (15.4 points and 4.2 assists per game). Last season (2019-20), with the Pistons going into tank mode and Jackson in decline, the two would reach a buyout agreement midway through the season. He would then sign with the Los Angeles Clippers as a free agent.
Los Angeles Clippers
Over his year and a half stint with the Clippers, Jackson has played in a reserve role and put up mediocre numbers. This postseason, Jackson’s minutes have gone up and his role has increased by necessity. Kawhi Leonard‘s knee injury in game four against the Utah Jazz has left a scoring void on the Clippers. In the five games Jackson has played without Kawhi, he has put up 23 points per game. The more incredible stat is Jackson’s field goal percentage. He has shot 50 percent or greater from the field in 10 of 16 playoff games this postseason. The highest field goal percentage of Jackson’s career was 46 percent back in his sophomore season.
Outlook on Reggie Jackson
So how good is Reggie Jackson? The numbers suggest that what he is doing right now is an outlier. Coupled with the fact that Jackson just turned 31 in April and we are probably seeing him at his best. But after signing a veteran minimum contract with the Clippers for the past two seasons, Jackson is proving that he is worth a lot more than what he is getting paid currently. Whether you think he is good or not is up for debate, but Jackson is playing at his best when his team needs it the most and will thus be rewarded handsomely in free agency this summer.
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