We are approaching the last minute between the Nuggets and the Warriors. Denver leads by one point (103-102) and Reggie Jackson gives the ball to Nikola Jokic in the low post, facing Kevon Looney. The leader cuts into the racket while his defender, Klay Thompson, decides to take a two-handed take on the MVP of the last Finals.
Result: Nikola Jokic finds Reggie Jackson in space, who can score a decisive layup… without opposition.
A title recovered from the bench
“He had told me a few actions earlier: ‘You’re going to be open about this action coming out of the timeout.’ I didn’t understand, but he kept telling me: ‘Be ready'” says Reggie Jackson. “When he gave me the ball, it was funny because I was waiting for the help. I was waiting for someone to come and help. But I think they didn’t want to let go of AG (Aaron Gordon). Mike (Porter Jr) was hot and we all know what Pope (Caldwell-Pope) can do. And it resulted in one of the easiest baskets of my career. It’s funny, and it will probably be repeated. »
No doubt, especially in the absence of Jamal Murray, who propelled Reggie Jackson into the Nuggets’ major five.
With his 20 points (8/17) and 6 assists against the Warriors, he undoubtedly had his best game with the Nuggets. It must be said that arriving during last season in the Rockies, he had difficulty finding his place in Mike Malone’s squad, to the point of spending almost all the playoffs on the bench.
“You always have to find chemistry with everyone. All the stars you play with. You have to understand what they do. Last year, it took me a little longer to figure it out, and I found myself out of the rotation.” he explains. “But I am absolutely not disappointed. I won a title thanks to that.”
Leaving the quarterback position
So little disappointed that, “free agent”, Reggie Jackson had in fact decided to return to Denver this summer.
“You’re usually the quarterback when you’re the playmaker of the offense, and you see directly everything in front of you, you make decisions and you have to trust your instincts, you have to put (your teammates) in good situations »he explains. “But now (I) understand that I’m more of a receiver, especially playing with Nikola, trying to understand what he sees… There’s not a pass he can’t make. There isn’t a pass he doesn’t try to make. And he always tries to do the right thing. So I try to make sure I’m in the right place at the right time. »
A role different from what he has known so far in the NBA.
“He’s so good that he makes it look like I know what I’m doing with the team.”he concludes, smiling.
