With the 2024-25 season rapidly approaching the Sixers could have an unsung hero who’s flying under the radar in Reggie Jackson.
The Philadelphia 76ers finished their preseason with a 114-99 loss last Friday against the Orlando Magic. As the regular season rapidly approaches, the team will be looking to strengthen their depth and one player that might be an unsung hero this season is Reggie Jackson.
Philadelphia signed Jackson in the offseason to bolster their backcourt depth. He will bring a veteran presence to this roster along with a championship pedigree.
Kyle Lowry will still be the primary backup point guard, but Jackson has a chance to make some noise in the city of Brotherly Love. He will provide this team with more toughness and stability in late-game situations.
The former Denver Nugget has learned to excel in any role given to him. He is always ready when given the opportunity and finds ways to contribute.
Adaptability
The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 3.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1 assist while shooting a lousy 33 percent from the field in his short preseason stint. He will play much better in the regular season.
Jackson has always been able to adapt every year since his short stint of being a franchise player in Detroit ended in 2019-20. He was able to rejuvenate his career with the Los Angeles Clippers.
When the former Clipper arrived in Denver in 2022-23, he struggled to gel with the team right away, but he figured out ways to remain on the floor.
In his first 16 games with the Nuggets during the 2022-23 season, he struggled to shoot from three (27.9 percent) but he was able to get to the rim and knock down free throws. He provided the team with hustle and energy.
Despite his short first season with Denver, his IQ and ability to adapt to what the team needed helped him capture his first NBA championship.
It’s far too early to talk about a championship in Philadelphia, but with the current roster build of three All-Stars and wings that can space the floor, it does seem like a familiar story.
Jackson improved his three-point shooting last season in Denver and he increased his scoring average (10.2) along with his steals per game (3.8).
Floor Spacing
This season’s Sixers team has the chance to improve their three-point shooting along with their floor spacing. In the past, the franchise has struggled in the postseason to get easy buckets in crunch time.
Opposing teams double-team Embiid because of his dominance and force other role players to score. This year’s team will be able to space the floor allowing room for Embiid to work in the post or for players to attack the rim. Jackson will thrive in the pick-and-roll with Embiid and he has plenty of experience in getting the ball to any center’s sweet spot.
Embiid will have another player who can get the ball to him at the elbow and someone who will get the ball to him quickly when he slips to the basket.
Jackson could provide a great boost for this team with his ability to knock down shots (in spurts) from all three phases of the floor. He finished last season shooting 35.9 percent from three and 43.1 percent from the floor.
The Boston College product will be able to help this team if given the chance because they can play multiple small lineups, and he can play on or off the ball in any of those lineups. Philadelphia will be able to stunt defenses with another playmaker who can shoot.
Depth
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse will have another guard at his disposal who can play multiple positions. While Jackson isn’t the biggest guard, he can impact the game with or without the ball in his hands.
The 34-year-old guard can guard positions one through three (in spurts), and he has a knack for fighting over the screen instead of under. Tyrese Maxey is well on his way to superstardom, but he will be able to learn from the savvy veteran.
Maxey, Lowry and Jackson will be an effective three-headed attack as the season progresses. In case Lowry or Maxey suffer injuries like last season, Jackson will be able to step in.
The 76ers don’t need the former Nugget to lift the team on his back or put up star-striking numbers. They need him to provide energy, create second-chance points with his hustle, and knock down open shots.