The Oklahoma City Thunder have all of the weapons in place to win an NBA title in 2014.
No one will ever fill the shoes of beloved former Oklahoma City Thunder sixth man James Harden, but guard Reggie Jackson will be the ultimate X-factor for OKC in the 2013-14 NBA season.
When Russell Westbrook went down during the playoffs last season, Jackson was given a chance to prove himself and he surely stepped up. The former Boston College standout averaged 13.9 points and five rebounds per game while shooting 48 percent from the floor during the postseason.
Jackson had his best performance against the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of the first round, dropping 20 points, making 2-of-6 shots from downtown while adding four rebounds and two blocks.
One thing that Jackson does need to improve to be a complete difference maker for the Thunder is his jump shot. He’s shot a mere 22 percent from beyond the arc in two NBA seasons, which is a much lower percentage than former Oklahoma City players like Harden and Kevin Martin.
Still, there’s a lot of upside with the 6’3″ guard, who can play both the point and the 2. Jackson’s play during the summer certainly speaks for itself in terms of his worth to the Thunder this season.
Jackson wasn’t just a one-hit wonder in the Summer League either, as ESPN Stats & Info shows just how dominant he was this summer:
Reggie Jackson and Kelly Olynyk lead the Orlando NBA Summer League in scoring, each averaging 19.5 PPG. #NBASummerLeague
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 11, 2013
After a more than solid NBA draft—in which it selected 7-foot center Steven Adams and swingman Andre Roberson—Oklahoma City has all of the talent in place to compete for an NBA title, but much of this season hinges on the two rookies mentioned above, and of course, Jackson.
The Thunder know what they’re getting with Kevin Durant and Westbrook, but it remains to be seen if Jackson has what it takes to play at a high level for an 82-game season and throughout the playoffs.
My guess?
Jackson will continue turning heads this season.
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