Pistons: Reggie Jackson’s return provides Detroit plenty of options
By Bob Heyrman
Reggie Jackson returned Wednesday with a vengeance for the Detroit Pistons. He provided the team with a much-needed spark off the bench. With Jackson back playing the way he did against the Sacramento Kings, he elevates the Pistons into a playoff team, but is that a good thing?
If you were to tell me before the season that it would be a lost season for star forward Blake Griffin, and Reggie Jackson would miss the first half of the season with a back injury. Yet the Detroit Pistons would still be in a position to secure a playoff spot; I’d never have believed it.
The Detroit Pistons need to sell off their tradeable pieces as the NBA trade deadline vastly approaches. It’s the right thing to do. What does it mean to make the playoffs as the eighth seed in the East and once again be swiftly swept by the Milwaukee Bucks? It will continue to procrastinate a much-needed rebuild.
With Reggie Jackson returning Wednesday and delivering a tremendous effort scoring 22 points in just 19 minutes of work off the bench. He produced from range, converting on three of his seven three-point attempts. He was also able to collect three boards and finished the evening with four assists — all in all, a fantastic return for Jackson.
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With Luke Kennard still sidelined with his knee issues, head coach Dwane Casey played Derrick Rose, who also scored 22 on the court with Reggie Jackson. It was something I didn’t expect with both being ball dominate point guards. The duo played exceptionally well together.
Rose struggles to score from beyond the arc shooting just 31% from three this season needs to play with knockdown shooters to be effective. He’s played well with Svi Mykhailiuk and Langston Galloway this season as he’s very efficient driving the lane and shooting that runner or pull up jumper from around13 feet. If he decides to defer when the defense collapses, he can find one of those three-point shooters who can be typically wide open. Rose has now scored 20-plus points in ten straight games for the Pistons. He’s been phenomenal this season.
Reggie Jackson’s presence opened up the court. He was able to knock down those three’s while Rose continued to go to work at the elbow and in the mid-range. The Kings aren’t very good, but Detroit was also without Andre Drummond and still scored 127 points collectively with Christian Wood leading the way with 23 off the bench.
Perhaps Jackson can continue this play over the next few games earning himself and the Pistons another tradable piece?
It would be a miracle if Ed Stefanski could find a way to move Jackson with how injury prone he’s been throughout his career and missed most of the year with a lower back injury.
Detroit does have an opportunity to move Rose, Drummond, Galloway, and perhaps even Morris and Jackson. It would be great if the Pistons were able to stockpile a bunch of draft picks to excel the much-needed rebuild.
Trending. Rose is perfect for the Los Angeles Lakers. light
That being said, we know Tom Gores. Although a few weeks ago he was ready and willing to embrace a rebuild with the Pistons just a couple of games out of the playoffs and a backcourt of Rose/Jackson looking dangerous, the aggressive owner may change his tune and impulsively remain in the playoff hunt.