National Basketball Association

Reggie Jackson: A more basketball savvy player this season?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Last season was Reggie Jackson’s first full season as a starter in the NBA. He helped lead the Pistons back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2008-09 season. When Stan Van Gundy traded for Jackson at the trade deadline during the 2014-15 season, he envisioned him becoming a starting caliber point guard who could help the Pistons return to the playoffs.

In his second full year as a starter, Van Gundy believes Reggie Jackson could become a more-savvy player with his experience from last season.  Jackson learned by the end of the season that teams will focus their defense on him, knowing that he is the engine that makes Pistons offense run.

During the playoffs, the Cavaliers cut off driving lanes to the paint and trapped Jackson off ball screens in an effort to get the ball out of his hands. He is the primary playmaker on a Pistons team in which their main offense revolves around the pick and roll with Andre Drummond. When Jackson struggles to create for others, the Pistons offense as whole struggles.

Jackson will be watching a great deal of film this summer and will be able to see how teams defend him and how he can counter these strategies. He talked about continuing to improve the speed and quality of his decision-making during the off-season.

Reggie Jackson says in addition to his decision-making, he will continue to work on his footwork and shooting during the offseason. Last off-season he worked extensively on his footwork and shooting mechanics, which resulted in shooting a career best 35 percent from three. Another improvement in his shooting would help Jackson’s case of becoming an all-star next season.

Working with Stan Van Gundy’s guidance, Reggie Jackson should be able to learn more about the various defensive strategies that will be implemented against him next season. This new knowledge coupled with last season’s experience, should help him prepare for this upcoming season in which the Pistons look to climb the ranks of the eastern conference.

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