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What to watch for in Reggie Jackson’s camp experience

By Duncan Smith

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 22: A general view of the progress of Little Caesars Arena during a press conference to announce that the Detroit Pistons will move to downtown Detroit on November 22, 2016 at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 22: A general view of the progress of Little Caesars Arena during a press conference to announce that the Detroit Pistons will move to downtown Detroit on November 22, 2016 at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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By far the most pertinent questions regarding the Detroit Pistons as they enter training camp all focus on Reggie Jackson and the health of his knee.

Chief among the questions entering Detroit Pistons training camp is the maintenance of Reggie Jackson‘s knee. After a summer of rehabilitation focused on strengthening the ligaments of his left knee, he’s essentially in the shape of somebody who hasn’t played basketball in about six months.

Jackson’s last game last season was played on March 24th, before he was shut down for the season. That’s a gap of six months and two days since the last time he took the court in anything other than an offseason scrimmage with his teammates, something he did late last week in five-on-five play.

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The plan for Jackson’s maintenance in camp revolve primarily around limiting his practice time. The Pistons will have three two-a-day practice days, and Jackson will only practice once on those days. The team will also be evaluating on a day-by-day basis whether to have him participate in the lower-intensity morning practices or the high-intensity five-on-five evening practices.

Jackson will be on a minutes limit during the preseason, most likely on an escalating basis. Stan Van Gundy laid out the initial plan on Monday.

“He will be on a minutes limit. It’ll be progressive how many minutes he plays each game. We haven’t decided exactly, it may be 12 minutes the first game and then 18.”

So with the knowledge of his limited availability in camp and preseason known, the important thing to be aware of is any possible red flags. If Jackson can’t go for a whole practice day and it is not due to an unrelated injury or issue, that’s a concern.

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Perhaps less so, if Jackson’s minutes decline or he can’t go in the preseason (unless it’s the back-to-back, which the Pistons haven’t yet decided how to proceed), that may also be a cause for concern.

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