The best point guard in LA
In the early 2010s, Reggie Jackson was a beloved sixth man for a punchy Oklahoma City Thunder squad. Soon after, he’d butt heads with Russell Westbrook and repeatedly declared his wishes to be a starter in the press. The two would get into it several times in public and private.
When Reggie was traded to the Pistons, he became a star — bringing Detroit to the playoffs for the first time since the Best Five Alive were still in tact. Numerous injuries and poor decisions put Jackson out of favor with Pistons fans. After a contract buyout, he joined his best friend Paul George on the Clippers — and has looked awesome ever since.
Jackson averaged 17.8 points per game in the 2021 playoffs. He’s averaging 17 points per game this year. Reggie has been revitalizing his career in LA — the same city where Westbrook’s has been falling apart.
The Clippers made the Lakers pass the sticks with a 21-point blowout last night. Jackson was phenomenal: 36 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, and a game-high +44 in 35 minutes. If you think that Russ has forgotten about his beef with Reggie, eight years later… you’d be mistaken:
Both Russ and Reggie found their way to LA under very different circumstances.
Russ was considered the missing piece to a LeBron-led big three: the player that allowed the Lakers to ease their stress during the regular season and fill a role in the playoffs.
Reggie was picked up off the scrap heap, with no expectations attached to his name. He’s quickly become the player Russ was supposed to be — the third option of a championship-level big three, an offensive talent good enough to shoulder the regular season, and an extremely important playoff role player.
In other words, the best point guard in LA.