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NBA: 5 rookies who are starting to figure it out

By Evan Dyal

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 10: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 10, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 10: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 10, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 13: Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA preseason game against the Brisbane Bullets at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 13: Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA preseason game against the Brisbane Bullets at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Josh Jackson, Phoenix Suns 

Remember when Josh Jackson was almost traded for Kyrie Irving? Good times. Well, Josh ended up in Phoenix and really struggled to start the season. Plus, he just went 0-13 in a loss at Houston. Woof! It’s understandable; he is a 19-year-old rookie on a terrible team that got their coach fired after three games. In the last month (besides the 0-13 game), Jackson has shown signs of life on why he was the number four overall pick.

At the start, neither Jackson nor the Suns really knew what Jackson was. At least on offense. Is a three a four? Should we have him spotting up, running pick and rolls, a screener? Well to the Suns’ credit they have given Jackson a shot at mostly everything on offense. None of it has gone well in the scoring department. He spends most of his time either in transition, spotting up, running pick and rolls or coming off handoffs.

Jackson ranks below average in each of those according to Synergy Sports. The problem is Jackson isn’t a good shooter, he is shooting only 26 percent from three, and doesn’t want to drive a lot because he can make free throws. He shoots just 59 percent from the line on three attempts per game.

Jackson must improve his free throw shooting, because well he gets fouled a lot. Jackson draws fouls on 12.6 percent of his shooting attempts and 1.6 percent of his time on the floor. If he could get to at least 65-70 percent range, that would be huge.

Improving his shooting and getting stronger are paramount. Despite the weak numbers, Jackson has found ways to make himself more useful on offense. His great athleticism makes him a factor on the offensive glass, and he is also an excellent cutter. He ranks well above average in both departments.

Scoring is not his thing yet, even though he has shown some flashes of late. What is exciting, is Jackson is a better passer than I thought he would be. Jackson has a 9.8 percent assist percentage, which is above average and a good mark for a rookie forward. He only averages 1.2 assists per game, but he sees the floor well for a rookie. I am not saying he is John Stockton, but it has better than expected. More importantly, he is unselfish.

Defensively he struggles like all rookies. Sometimes he blows a rotation; sometimes he is overmatched. Overall he ranks in the 21st percentile defensively. Pick and roll defense and being run off screens are his most significant issues right now. However, Jackson has some bright spots defensively. He ranks int he 60th percentile defending the spot ups. Here strength and reading screens are not an issue. Jackson can use his physical tools to his advantage.

He has very long arms and good anticipation, that is why he has a good block percentage(0.7 percent) and steal percentage 1.6 percent. That is the good news. He makes plays that can spark a defense that usually needs a spark. The bad news is he still fouls too much. That will come with time. For now, the signs of life are small with Jackson, but he is improving steadily by the month. Don’t forget about him.

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