Which Oklahoma City Thunder Player Will Make the Biggest Leap in 2014-15?
Every young NBA player dreams of making "the leap"
"The Leap" is a term used to describe when a prospect taps into his vast potential to become a star. It's like a coming-out party where the proverbial coal turns into a diamond. When the breakout happens, it changes that player's future forever.
For example, New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis and San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard made the leap last season. Davis went from being a promising rookie to a NBA All-Star. Meanwhile, Leonard emerged as one of the key components to the Spurs' championship run.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have several candidates that are capable of making the leap this season. 21-year-old Steven Adams is the team's center of the future. With his size (7', 255 pounds) and athleticism, New Zealand native could become an elite rim protector and a monster on the glass. Jeremy Lamb is a 6'5", 185-pound shooting guard with a 6'11" wingspan and the potential to be a dangerous scorer someday.
However, the player that will make the biggest leap this season will be guard Reggie Jackson. Jackson has had his moments of brilliance during his three years in the league. His crowning achievement so far came in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals, when he dropped 32 points on the Memphis Grizzlies to even up the series.
What makes Jackson better than his fellow Oklahoma City prospects? How am I so sure this will be his year? Here are a few reasons why the former Boston College star will make a huge jump in 2014-15?
He's An Excellent Scorer
The Oklahoma City Thunder haven't had a legitimate third scorer since James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets prior to the 2012-13 season. Power forward Serge Ibaka does his part, but he isn't the kind of offensive threat that makes opponents lose sleep. Head coach Scott Brooks isn't going to draw up a ton of plays for Ibaka.
In Reggie Jackson, the Thunder have a player capable of filling that Harden role. He's a 6'3, 208-pound combo guard that can create off the dribble as well as knock down jumpers from behind the arc. Most importantly, Jackson has that extra gear that allows him to take over games when he feels the need.
He's more than just a role player. He's someone that Oklahoma City can turn to when Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook go cold. A perfect example of this is the aforementioned Game 4 performance against the Grizzlies.
That night, Durant and Westbrook shot a combined 11-of-45 from the field. Jackson took it upon himself to put the team on his back. He scored the last five points of the fourth quarter to force the game into overtime. Then, he scored the last four points in OT to put the game out of Memphis' reach.
Overall, he went 11-of-16 from the field, including 2-for-4 from downtown. He finished with 32 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
"Reggie played an outstanding basketball game," Brooks said afterward, according to the Associated Press. "He was able to attack and finish around the rim like he's done all year."
That performance convinced USA Today's Scott Gleeson to christen Jackson "the Thunder's new James Harden" and earned the respect of some of Memphis' veterans.
"He is their James Harden or Kevin Martin," Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger said of Jackson. "Now it's Reggie Jackson in that role. He allows them to go small and they've got four scorers on the floor who can shoot the three. They spread you out."
Grizzlies defensive ace Tony Allen added that "Reggie Jackson is their X factor".
That fateful night in April was the cherry on top of a solid season for the 24-year-old. He played in 80 regular season games for the Thunder, making 36 starts in place of the injured Westbrook. He averaged 13.1 points and 4.1 assists in 28.5 minutes per game. He also shot 33.9 percent from behind the arc.
Those numbers are just a taste of what Jackson is capable of. If he can nearly triple his scoring output from his 2012-13 campaign playing mostly as a sixth man, what could he do as a full-time starter?
He Has A Great Opportunity
With Thabo Sefolosha now a member of the Atlanta Hawks, the starting shooting guard position is up for grabs. There are several contenders vying for Sefolosha's old spot.
Andre Roberson is a young perimeter defender in the Sefolosha mold. He doesn't bring much to the table offensively, but his presence allows Durant and Westbrook to waste less energy on the defensive end.
Jeremy Lamb is another guy that increased his scoring efforts last season. With a boost of confidence, he could develop into a fine two-way guard. The team also signed veteran Anthony Morrow away from the Pelicans. Morrow is a lethal shooter who finished fourth in the NBA in three-point percentage last season (45.1 percent).
Jackson is still the best option out of that lot. He may not be the defender that Roberson is, but he takes pressure off of Durant and Westbrook with his offensive skills. Lamb is an intriguing player, but he would have to really step up to reach the level that Jackson's already at. As for Morrow, he's a niche player at this point in his career.
In an interview with Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman, Jackson said he wants to be a starter this year.
"I don’t think about ever coming off the bench for any team. If that’s the role I’m put in, that’s what I’m put in. But since the day I thought about playing in the NBA, I've always been a starter. Everything I've thought about, whether it be middle school, high school, kids leagues, I never envisioned coming off the bench," Jackson said. "I want to be the best player I can be. I want to be the best player in the world. I don’t think those guys are necessarily coming off the bench. So I've never thought about that or even had that idea in the back of my mind.
"
During his exit interview after the Thunder were eliminated by the Spurs, Brooks seemed like he was still on the fence about making Jackson a starter (per DailyThunder.com's Royce Young).
"I hate to put myself in that position because who knows what will happen over the summer," Brooks said. "[Reggie] can play both positions, as can Russ. They can play together, that was proven in this series.”
Throughout his coaching career, Brooks has been notoriously fearful of change. This is evidenced by his insistence on keeping the declining Kendrick Perkins in his starting lineup over the last few years.
If Jackson doesn't get the nod, all is not lost. Even as a reserve, he'll likely see a good chunk of minutes playing alongside Westbrook. He would also be one of the top contenders for Sixth Man of the Year. It may not be what Jackson is hoping for, but being the first guy off the bench eventually worked out for Harden.
He Wants To Get Paid
There is no greater motivation for success, in any profession, than money. The Thunder have until Oct. 31 to reach an agreement on a contract extension for Jackson. In July, NewsOK.com's Berry Trammel called the chances of the two sides coming to terms "not likely". Nothing has changed since then.
Barring a last-minute deal, Jackson will be a restricted free agent next summer. That means he'll be spending every second of this season trying to raise his value. He's already kept a keen eye on the money that's been spent this offseason, per The Oklahoman's Anthony Slater.
"Telling Reggie Jackson contract quote: "It's been some groundbreaking deals going on this summer, and I have to take that into account."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) September 3, 2014"
There's been some wild spending this summer. The Dallas Mavericks gave restricted free agent Chandler Parsons a three-year, $46 million deal, which Houston refused to match. The Utah Jazz matched a four-year, $63 million offer from the Charlotte Hornets for Gordon Hayward, who was also a restricted free agent.
The Phoenix Suns have also made progress in their contract negotiations with guard Eric Bledsoe, per Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
"The Suns are believed to have pushed an initial four-year, $48 million offer into the $50 million range, sources said."
While all of those players have been more productive than Jackson, all it would take is a strong season for the big offers to start rolling in. Mayberry expects the big-market teams to open up their checkbook to secure Jackson's services next summer.
"The team has spent the past two years preparing its payroll to accommodate Jackson’s salary, whether the Thunder signs him before the deadline or matches an offer next summer. But the Mavs, Lakers and Knicks play in three of league’s largest markets, and the Heat join those franchises among teams that have an owner with deep pockets. Any of those clubs could easily drive up the price on the Thunder, similar to what the Mavs did to Houston for Parsons’ services this summer.
"
Mayberry also points out that marquee free agents such as Rajon Rondo, Greg Monroe and Marc Gasol could have an effect on Jackson's market value. With teams more willing to spend their money on those guys, there's a chance that Jackson won't be priced out of Oklahoma City's reach.
Regardless, Jackson will be going into this season with dollar signs in his eyes. He's increased his production in each of the last three seasons. There's no reason to think that will change this year.
Everything that Jackson has done prior to this season was just an appetizer. This season will be the main course. With an increased role and the allure of a huge payday, Jackson should put up the best numbers of his young career.
He'll need to improve as a defender for Brooks to feel more comfortable putting Jackson in a starting role. However, he's handled all of the previous obstacles that have been in his way. He's proven that he can carry an offense. He's shown that he can handle whatever role he's given. He's also been able to co-exist with Westbrook.
The day will come for guys like Adams and Lamb to make their own jumps into stardom. This year will belong to Jackson.
(All statistics courtesy of BasketballReference.com, unless otherwise noted.)
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
