NBA Power Rankings: All 30 Starting Shooting Guards
By Shane Young
18. Reggie Jackson — Oklahoma City Thunder
In a rather odd predicament, the best thing that could’ve happened to Reggie Jackson certainly did this past year. Oklahoma City losing Russell Westbrook to the knee surgeries allowed Jackson time to step in and make a difference for the Thunder’s surge for the No. 2 seed.
Including the playoffs, Jackson recorded eight gameshttp://hoopshabit.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=56543&action=edit&message=10 last season with at least 20 points, and averaged 13.1 for the year. Against the Spurs in the regular season sweep, he become their secret weapon, averaging 21.3 points in all four Thunder wins.
Jackson’s slashing to the hole turned into a relief for Kevin Durant in most games, although the MVP was still reaching his 30-point mark even if you cut off both his arms. If you wanted Jackson to create off the dribble or stand pat and wait for the defense to collapse on Durant, he could do either job. During the last two months of the season (March and April), Jackson shot over 40 percent from deep, being very selective on his shots and playing off the ball with Westbrook back.
Scott Brooks decided not to start Jackson alongside his scoring duo in the playoffs until Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, after San Antonio had already wiped the team off the face of the Earth for a 2-0 lead. Jackson helped them win Game 3, giving them momentum to carry over and capture the series-tying win. He even did more than his part in Game 6, hitting 8-of-16 shots for 21 points and trying to stave off elimination.
Thabo Sefolosha provided the Thunder with absolutely no offense, but brought the ultimate pressure on defense to give them chances to get stops.
Jackson is quicker than Sefolosha — he’s a point guard at heart due to his style and body type — and there’s no comparison if you want to talk about getting around screens to create inside the paint.
Sefolosha inked a deal with Atlanta to give them the boost they need in a lockdown perimeter guy, so the spot is there for Jackson to help Oklahoma City immediately. It’s hard to improve from 59 wins in a conference that beats you senseless, but they’ll have an advancement in how well the offense flows with Jackson being a third factor on the court.
The lineup with Durant, Westbrook, Jackson, Sefolosha, and Ibaka played over 51 minutes during the regular season. During that time, their net rating in points (points minus opponent points) reached +43.9, higher than ANY other lineup the Thunder used all year.
Replacing Sefolosha with Kendrick Perkins won’t make too much of a difference, and that’s the starting five Brooks needs to implement to start the season.
Jackson’s confidence shot through the roof once he helped Durant come out of Toronto with that miraculous win in March, and got his feet wet with multiple starts.
It’s not crazy to think Patrick Beverley helped the Thunder’s title hopes by killing Westbrook’s knee, is it? Not betting against it next season ….