When the LA Clippers acquired Rajon Rondo at the March 25th trade deadline, I was one of the many fans who celebrated the acquisition of the playoff-tested guard that helped lead the cross-court rival Lakers to the NBA Championship last year in the bubble playoffs. However, since the arrival of Rondo, it has been Reggie Jackson who has stepped up and made Ty Lue’s decision a little tougher in terms of which PG is going to get the majority of the minutes when the playoffs are in full effect.
Reggie Jackson might become the LA Clippers’ go-to point guard in the playoffs.
The Clippers have won 11 out of their last 13 games, in which Jackson has started in 10 of those contests. In two of those games Jackson came off the bench, and in the other game, Ty Lue actually gave Jackson a “rest” against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jackson’s productivity has not been overly superlative, but he has made a case for more playing time once the playoffs commence. His best games during this stretch were a 23 point outing against the Trailblazers; a 26 point outing against the Rockets; a 29 point barrage against his former team in the Pistons; and another good game against the Rockets when he scored 19 points.
In between those games, Jackson has been steady enough to make Ty Lue’s decision a little tougher when determining his PG rotation when the playoffs start. Patrick Beverley is injured again with a fracture in his left hand. Rondo has been nicked up since his arrival from Atlanta in the trade for Lou Williams. The Clippers were so concerned about their PG situation that they picked up Yogi Farrell to provide a little depth until the return of Beverley.
Unless Rondo’s health improves between now and the start of the playoffs, it seems as though Jackson will get his opportunity to prove that he can play at a high level that is needed in the playoffs for a PG, and lead the Clippers to their first-ever NBA Championship.
Some fans believe Paul George should be the primary ball-handler in the playoffs, but I don’t think that will serve the Clippers well. In order for George to play at his optimum level, he needs someone to get him in position offensively for him to play at his strengths which are playing on the wing.
The window of opportunity is right now with the Clippers. Although Paul George is playing at an exceptional level the past dozen or so games, Kawhi Leonard is a little nicked up himself, and Serge Ibaka is still recovering from a back injury. The Clippers brass is confident that Kawhi will be fine for the playoffs, but they will need a 3rd scorer and distributor that they can depend on in the playoffs, and Jackson is playing like he may be that guy.
Competition between NBA players many times brings out the best in a player affected by the arrival of another. Since Rondo’s arrival at the trade deadline, Jackson has stepped up his game. Will it be enough to convince Ty Lue to trust Jackson in crunch time over Rondo and Beverley when he returns? It will be a decision by Coach Lue that will certainly be scrutinized by NBA pundits for years to come.