NBA Rookie Breakdown: #20 Josh Jackson
October 1, 2017
Welcome back to the second installment of the NBA Rookie Breakdown series I will be writing as the new season approaches. The 2nd player due up is 4th overall selection, Josh Jackson. Jackson stands at 6’8″, weighing 205 lbs, and plays SF/SG out of the University of Kansas and is one of this year’s high flying rookies. Drafted by the Phoenix Suns, Jackson is easily one of the most athletic players coming out of this year’s draft. His ability to run the floor quickly and bounce above the rim will have him posterizing many of his opponents regardless of height. Through 5 games in the Las Vegas Summer League, Jackson dominated the painted area on rebounds and taking the ball to the hole. He has a great ability at finishing around the rim regardless of the defenders in his path. Look for him to get a lot of minutes this year and to make something happen on the court.
In five games Jackson averaged 17.4 ppg and 9.2 rpg in 35 mpg. He showed off his talents in the summer league by becoming the Suns primary scorer in Vegas. He played well shooting 42% from the field, attacking the paint hard and shooting the 3 ball. Jackson stands at 6’8” 205 lbs, same build as Jayson Tatum, and could become even better attacking the paint than he already is. One thing that separates him from a lot of talent is his athleticism. Although his vertical is unknown, by watching his summer league film you can definitely tell it is extremely high and high enough for him to casually throw down a windmill jam on a breakaway. His speed and jumping ability helps his game so much in the aspect that he can run the fast break quickly, play the ball above the rim, rebound better than most guys his size, and even block shots off the backboard.
One thing that he still needs to improve is his jump shot. His shot was a little shaky in his time at Kansas and was definitely one of the reasons he was not selected in the top 3 of the draft. While his shot looked to be improved mechanically and he hit shots at a better percentage, he still has plenty of room to develop an outside shot and steady mid-range jumper. If he can improve his jump shot Jackson may become one of the most all-around players this draft will bring up. Playing alongside scoring guards Devin Booker, who scored 70 points versus the Celtics last year, and Eric Bledsoe will really help his shot develop and hopefully he will receive lots of help from both of them. He has all the tools from athleticism and defense to the IQ and playmaking ability.
Jackson is an above average playmaker for a Small Forward. He has great ball vision, is constantly moving, and makes accurate passes keeping his turnovers to a minimum. He also plays pretty well in the post for his size. He has a solid fade away and also uses a hook with confidence. He loves using the glass with his shot which not a lot of players do but I love it. He also moves a ton without the ball and is always hustling for loose balls. He very frequently uses a step back jumper when looking to create space for his jump shot. On the break, he is not afraid to pull up from mid or take it all the way to the rim. He has outstanding ability at going hard to the basket drawing fouls and finishing his layups and dunks.
You will likely see Jackson on the floor with Bledsoe, Booker, Alex Len, and Marquise Chriss. Although I don’t believe Jackson is much of a Power Forward, the Suns tend to play small ball and you could see Jackson at the 4 with the likes of Bledsoe, Booker, TJ Warren/Derrick Jones Jr., and Marquise Chriss.
Jackson has all the athleticism in the world and could be a guy who completely breaks out in his first season.
ROLE PREDICTION: I believe you will see Josh Jackson as the starting Small Forward for a struggling Suns team. His minutes will fluctuate between 32 and 36 as he has young fresh legs and will look to help improve the Suns from a year ago.
Jackson seems like a lock for the All-Rookie First Team given the minutes he’ll receive and his ability to get to the rim, shoot free throws, and rebound. He will be in the running for Rookie of the Year, but will fall short due to some shots being taken away by Booker and Bledsoe.
Written by Nick Kazandjian
