One person’s misfortune is another’s happiness, and Jae Crowder’s injury allowed the rookie Andre Jackson Jr. to regain playing time. The Bucks rookie will not forget this evening since before the meeting, Bobby Portis and Khris Middleton gave him his NCAA champion ring, in the middle of the field.
“It was weird”, he recognizes about this improvised ceremony. ” I did not expect that. I was a little surprised. I wasn’t as enthusiastic as I wanted to be. It was right before the game, and I was very focused on what we were going to do. It’s good now to look back, appreciate and hold onto those memories of all those times I had with my teammates at UConn, think about those experiences and try to recreate them here. It was really a great experience. »
An unforgettable evening also because he had a real impact on the Bucks’ victory. While the Bulls had regained the score, Jackson snatched two offensive rebounds, which brought four points. Then, he goes to score a floater, before setting a big screen for a 3-pointer from Pat Connaughton. Under his leadership, Milwaukee signs an 11-0 to push back Chicago.
A spark coming off the bench
With 5 points and 3 rebounds in 13 minutes, but also great defense, the former leader of UConn demonstrated that he could respond, other than in “garbage time”.
“I can have an impact without scoring points,” Jackson explains. “Just setting screens, being in the right spot to create space for guys who need the ball. In this team, if I’m on the pitch, I’m probably the fifth option in attack. I’m just going to try to do as much as I can to give others free positions, make up for their failures and try to find another guy. »
A mentality that appeals to his elders in Milwaukee, like Khris Middleton.
“He plays very well, and he brings energy as soon as he comes in” notes the Bucks winger. “He is everywhere, and we see that he is starting to evolve his role in attack. I needed him tonight. Every game he plays, he brings a spark off the bench – a positive spark, whether it’s changing the game, speeding up the opponents a little. You can see the potential there. He’s an intelligent player who knows how to play, who knows how to use his energy and his athleticism properly. »
