Detroit Pistons: Help is on the Way as Reggie Jackson Eyes his Return

Just when everything was starting to align for the Detroit Pistons, injuries once again have become the common theme throughout the roster.

When you’ve sat down to enjoy the Detroit Pistons thus far in 2019, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster.  The team has flashed some brilliance at times, but it’s mostly been a dull season.  Detroit currently sits at 12-21 on the season – so much for the positive offseason roster overhaul.

That has to be what knaws on me the most.  I feel like the Pistons had an incredibly successful offseason.  Have they Lion-ized me this year?

For Reggie Jackson, it’s back to the shelf for all but a mere 2 games this season.  After staying healthy all of last season, the point guard has fallen back to being stricken by the injury bug that’s haunted him throughout his career.

As much as we can be frustrated by Reggie Jackson’s inability to remain healthy, we all need to acknowledge he’s a much better option on the floor over Tim Frazier or Bruce Brown.  I really like Brown and suspect next season the backcourt will be Brown and Rose as Jackson’s contract is set to expire.

This from the Detroit Free Press;

"“I’m feeling better each and every day,” Jackson said. “I just want to play ball. When that comes, it comes, I just want to get healthy and play ball.”Jackson admits that the time away has given him a great appreciation.“Any time you are away from it, it always makes you appreciate it more,” Jackson said. “I’m thankful for the times I’ve been able to suit up, been able to compete and I’ve built a lot of memories here. I’m just taking it a day at a time, so I can get back and help my teammates.”"

There is also a chance the Pistons explore trading Derrick Rose this season as he’s excelled in his role with Detroit.  Trading Rose may make business sense, but keeping him rostered may actually help Detroit over the long haul.

He’s there to mentor the likes of Frazier and Brown, plus he’s been Detroit’s most consistent offensive scoring threat on a nightly basis.  Plus, he’s a player that fans will continue trek to Little Caesars Arena to watch.

Reggie Jackson is set to give the Pistons a much-needed boost.  He’s averaged 13/PPG over his career and is coming off of a solid 2018/19 campaign where he averaged 15.4/PPG. The problem hasn’t been his ability to score the basketball; it’s been the ability to remain on the court.  Last year was the only season over the previous four that he was able to stay healthy.

Bruce Brown has averaged 8.4/PPG while Tim Frazier is only achieving 4.2/PPG.  For a team that struggles to score on any given night, a healthy Reggie Jackson will be a welcoming sight.  Perhaps he will be able to play well enough to even garner a trade come deadline day.