National Basketball Association

S.I.'s Top 100: Detroit Pistons' Reggie Jackson checks in at 54

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

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Detroit Pistons’ Reggie Jackson checks in at number 54 on Sports Illustrated’s Top 100 Players of 2016-17.

Detroit Pistons‘ point guard Reggie Jackson took a giant leap forward in play in his first full season as a starter, setting career numbers in points, assists, and three-point percentage.

That was enough to earn him a 40 spot jump from last year’s ranking.

Via Sports Illustrated:

54. Reggie Jackson, PG, Pistons

No matter what he accomplishes, the focus usually centers on the things Reggie Jackson doesn’t do rather than the things he does. Unfortunately for Jackson (18.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG), there’s a lot of things he doesn’t do all that well: he’s not a big-time finisher, he’s not an all-around playmaking maestro, he’s not a true end-to-end threat in transition, he’s not a knockdown three-point shooter, he’s not the world’s greatest defender, his decision-making can be spotty, and he’s on an $80 million contract, which tends to make all of those problems feel even worse than they are. On top of that, Jackson is 26 and had free rein last year, so it’s hard to project significant further improvement across so many areas. In his defense, though, Jackson is a quality and comfortable pick-and-roll practitioner whose arrival in Detroit was critical to the team’s offensive improvement. While there might be reasonable doubts about his ceiling as a player and a team’s ceiling with him as the head of the snake, Jackson nevertheless oversaw a 44-win team that made the playoffs after a six-year drought. That should count for something, especially if he proves he can deliver that type of result on a consistent basis for the duration of his deal. (Last year: No. 94)

+ Ranked in the top-five league wide in drives and points off drives, per NBA.com
+ Led Detroit to its best record since 2008 and most efficient offense since 2011
– He’s not particularly imposing, or pesky, or productive defensively
– Although his team was swept by the Cavs in the 2016 playoffs, he complained endlessly about the refs

Notice anything a bit convoluted about this take? “(Jackson’s) not a big-time finisher”, yet on his strengths it’s noted that he finished top five league wide in points off of drives.

Perhaps Jackson’s best trait is his ability to split defenses and finish around the rim.

Ok, I’m done ranting.

Moving on, what was encouraging about Jackson last season was his improvements from behind the three-point line, where he shot a career best 35.3 percent.

If Jackson can replicate last year’s numbers, that might be enough to change public perception, particularly if the Pistons take another step forward that many think they will.

As noted in the weaknesses, it would be nice if Jackson, 6’3″ with a seven foot wingspan, could improve his consistency on defense. There’s no reason he can’t do that given his physical attributes–oh, and the fact that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will almost always guard the opposing team’s best offensive guard on the floor.

What do you guys think about this ranking? 54 is a massive jump from 94 a season ago. For that reason alone I’m fine with it.

Pistons players on top 100 so far:

Tobias Harris, 77th overall.