Five goals for Reggie Jackson’s 2017-2018 Season

After a disappointing third year with the Detroit Pistons, point guard Reggie Jackson’s career with the team is in jeopardy. The following are five goals he can set for a successful 2017-2018 season.

The Detroit Pistons failed to berth playoffs yet again last season, and point guard Reggie Jackson‘s health likely didn’t help their case.

Now healthy, Jackson is up for a season that may define the next stage of his career. After serving as a sixth man in Oklahoma, he was moved to a starting role in Detroit. Maybe he wasn’t ready, maybe he was. This season will be the telling tale.

Last season, Jackson averaged 14.2 points along with 5.2 assists per game. Looking to get better, he can have a successful season by reaching a few of the goals listed below.

1. Average 7 Assists Per Game

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Jackson had a rough season last year, but maintained 5.2 assists per game average. If he can manage to dish 7 dimes on the year, he’ll join the league’s best facilitators in the top tier of point guards.

Only ten players managed to average seven or more assists last season, and all their teams but one were featured in the postseason.

That’s a target the Pistons are aiming to hit in 2017-2018.

The additions of Avery Bradley, Luke Kennard, and Langston Galloway should take some offensive responsibility off Jackson’s shoulders. He can focus on being the lead facilitator, and work towards a higher passing average.

2. Play At Least 70 Games

Last season Jackson missed the second most games of his career, only falling behind his rookie year in 2011-2012. He missed 30 games in total, including the last nine of the season. In games where Jackson sat on the bench, the Detroit Pistons went 14-16.

It’s obvious his presence means something towards way of Pistons’ success. If he can appear for at least 70 games next year, the team will have a better chance at winning, and he can display his true impact on the game.

3. Record One Steal Per Game

Now paired with defensive guard Avery Bradley in the backcourt, hopefully some defensive prowess will rub off on Jackson. In his 2013-2014 campaign with the Thunder, he averaged 1.1 steals per game. Since, he’s managed only 0.7 average at best during his tenure in Detroit.

Averaging at least a steal per game would make the Pistons backcourt a defensive standout. Shifting to that mentality takes a lot of work, but getting those touches on the other side of the ball is where you start.

4. Make 100 Three-Pointers on the Year

Drafted with the 24th pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, Jackson has connected on 100+ three-pointers only once in six seasons. He’s never been a great shooter from deep (32 percent career average), but has improved every year as a player for Detroit.

With the Pistons being one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league, some improvement from any player, let alone their point guard would be welcome.

Forward Tobias Harris is the only current player on roster that made 100+ three-pointers last season. It’s clearly not the Detroit Pistons strong suit.

After shooting 35 percent from deep  and making 66 three-pointers last season, Jackson should aim for improvement in this area. Detroit was ranked 28th in three-point percentage after shooting 33 percent per game last season.

As a point guard, Jackson must set an example, attacking one of their many weak spots head on.

5. Aim for an All-Star Appearance

Key word, aim. The Eastern Conference has grown weaker, but still features some of the league’s top guards. At the one slot, Jackson will have to compete with Kyrie Irving, John Wall, DeMar DeRozan, and Kemba Walker who earned his first appearance last season.

Being named an All-Star is a career milestone for any player in the league, and the Pistons’ point guard has shown flashes of what it takes to receive the honor. He would join Andre Drummond (2016) as the only players to be named All-Stars.

Next: Jackson: Drummond a freak amongst men

To help keep his career on the right path, and show the Detroit Pistons that he’s worth the paycheck, Jackson should set his sights on an All-Star appearance. In a weakened East, it’s now or never.