The Detroit Pistons’ success this season will likely be dependent upon Reggie Jackson’s recovery from knee tendinitis that has plagued him since last offseason. Although Jackson never regained form last season, nor health, he says that is far from the case this offseason.
The Detroit Pistons are a completely different team with a healthy Reggie Jackson. Look no further than the difference in its play from 2015-16 to 2016-17. The Pistons went from an up-and-coming playoff contender, when Jackson was healthy and leading the Pistons’ offense, to a team that looked utterly lost without him.
But there is good news. Jackson is feeling much better and should be ready to go by training camp.
"“One hundred percent would always be great to feel, but this year I just want to be better than I was the day before,” Jackson said Wednesday at the practice facility in Auburn Hills.“With my knee, I’m feeling good. With the health of it, I’m feeling great. I just got to do the best I can to take care of it. The team is doing a great job of monitoring it. I’ve had no setbacks. I’m on pace, which is to be ready by training camp.”"
It’s nice that Jackson has had a full offseason to get healthy, rehab, and play basketball.
That was not the case last season after he elected to undergo a knee procedure which left him on crutches and away from basketball activities.
I think being able to rest for the first part of the season and get not only physically, but mentally healthy, is exactly what Jackson needed.
Add in getting the opportunity to test out his knee and work independently on his game, and I think Jackson is in the perfect place.
There will always be long-term concerns with Jackson and his knees considering this is already the second time in his career that he’s had to have procedures done for knee tendinitis. There are no guarantees that Jackson is going to get back to 100 percent this season.
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But….the news and situation also couldn’t be any better for Jackson and the Pistons.