Mediocrity in Motown: The Detroit Pistons need to bounce back in 2017-18
By Evan Dyal
Reggie Jackson’s Tough Season
Two years ago, Reggie Jackson averaged 18 points and six assists per game. He had a Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 19.4. Then in the offseason he had knee surgery, which made him miss the first six weeks of last years season. Ish Smith held the fort down and the Pistons went a passable 11-10 without Jackson to start the season.
They should of took off when he got back. Well, that didn’t happen. Jackson simply didn’t look the same when he came back. Not as quick or explosive. The ball stuck in his hand too long, and he couldn’t get to the rim like he used to. His defensive effort also slipped greatly.
Things got so bad he was even benched for Ish Smith during the season. Jackson never got his groove back and was shut down for the last nine games of the season. For the season, Jackson averaged 14 points and five rebounds, and his PER dropped to 14.9, which is below average. If you had to point to the main reason the Detroit Pistons struggled last year, look no further than Jackson.