Reggie Jackson gave the Clippers a solid performance Friday night in his first action since learning he was out of coach Tyronn Lue‘s reduced rotation, writes Andrew Greif of The Los Angeles Times. Jackson contributed 11 points, four rebounds and three assists in 18 minutes after sitting out the previous two games. The 30-year-old guard, who will be a free agent after this season, was told last Saturday that he will no longer have guaranteed minutes every night.
“It was a hard conversation for me because I thought he was actually playing well,” Lue said. “But we couldn’t play all the guys, you know that coming into the season. … I talked to Reggie and he took it well. When you are a veteran and you’re a pro and you want to win, you do whatever it takes to try to win. I told him to stay ready, it’s a long season, with the COVID, injuries, things like that, you got to be ready.”
Jackson found out at Friday’s shootaround that he would be in the starting lineup, and Lue was happy that he didn’t try to do too much on his own. One highlight for Jackson was a rare dunk in the second half.
“Feels good, especially at 30, getting teased by my teammates, seeing an open lane and having a chance to attack,” Jackson said. “I had an injury-plagued past few years so just feeling like I’m getting my legs back under me and to feel somewhat 20 again, it felt great to go out there and get a dunk.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Clippers forward Marcus Morris says the NBA’s decision to begin the season in December threw off his recovery timeline, Greif adds in the same story. Morris said tendinitis prevented him from doing offseason workouts and he was timing his recovery for a January start. He remains on a minutes limit, but hasn’t had any trouble with his knees since training camp began.
- The Kings haven’t used Nemanja Bjelica in their past three games, but the decision is only temporary, tweets Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. Coach Luke Walton is experimenting with defensive rotations and has told Bjelica he will get another chance soon.
- The Suns‘ last three games have been postponed due to health and safety protocols, but a league source told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic that Monday’s contest in Memphis “looks good to go.” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins is also optimistic that the game will be played. “All I know is that everything is kind of full go right now,” he said. “There’s some final checkmarks that need to be taken care of, obviously, for Phoenix to get back on track, but we’re all hopeful we are able to play on Monday.”
“since learning he was out of coach Tyronn Lue‘s reduced rotation, writes Andrew Greif”
So do we remember last yrs Bubble. And the issues Clippers had cause of no real PG. A player who could get them in their sets and get shots, points. Do we remember Clippers trying to sign Rondo. And all basketball personnel saying how a real PG was a big need for them. Well they lost out on Rondo. And resigned Jackson. Now PG by committee is better than No PG. But how do you say Jackson is out of rotation. When he’s got more ast than any guard you have. Didn’t Lue learn from last yr.
Jackson – 14 mins, 2.1 ast
Beverley – 26.4 mins, 1.9 ast
Williams – 20 mins, 2.6 ast
George has 5.2 ast, Kahwi has 6.0 ast.
Clippers still need a PG if they want to get to Finals. George and Kawhi are not Bron. They both need a PG to maximize their talents. Seems Clippers haven’t learned from last yr. This is why I said they should be the first to bring in Isiah. Then they could move Lou for McGee.
I personally have felt that Terance Mann can play multiple positions, and should see more time in certain lineups, although he hasnt been as good this year b/c of his usage. I’ve disagreed with the notion that they need more at the PG spot. Doc Rivers, and now Tyronne Lue have both been terrible at using their depth, and creating the right rotations…They’re a little thinner at a couple of spots, having lost Jamychal Green and Rodney McGruder, although they werent used much correctly previously anyway…I think they could use another piece on the wing, preferably someone that can give them something on nights 1 of Kawhi or Paul George sit. and also potentially provide minutes off the bench behind them next to guys like Marcus Morris or Batum.
I also think Kabengele should be given a shot to see minutes at the 5 b/c they’re just wasting his potential, and I think he can be part of some really interesting lineups
If anything, I think losing a catch and shoot option like Shamet hurts them at the guard spot, so they need to figure out something to help alleviate that spacing issue at times, b/c the way they’ve used Luke Kennard so far isnt helping. They might be better off going to more lineups without a true pg, especially with how well Batum has played for them so far…
…and obviously Patrick Beverley is also a good option for them b/c he doesnt need the ball in his hands, and is still a good catch and shoot option himself, and then you expect that his defense will be better than it has been so far this year…regardless, they’ve definitely been better with him on the floor
They should try to get Lowry . He is the perfect fit for them . But matching salaries will be hard and probably will loose depth . Maybe something like Beverly , Lou, Zubic and pick .
You got Leonard and Ibaka for free. No way you’re getting Lowry for anything less than an absolute overpay including multiple picks which you dont have
Not a clippers fan but Lowry is 34 and is expiring . so definitely Toronto will not get a lot for him.
Clips don’t need a PG, and, unless they could get an elite one (which they can’t this year), adding a traditional PG would hurt, not help, them maximize their talent.
What they need is a HC, or someone that understands their roster to explain it to their HC. Lue does get some points for trying to be proactive (versus Rivers’ reactive or, more accurately, inactive approach). But he’s still looking down the wrong end of the telescope for answers. Who starts, who plays with who, how deep a rotation, etc. Important questions, perhaps, but not on point with the Clips’ issues. It all starts with figuring out how to maximize the talents of the two superstars, playing together; the rest will fall into place from there.