Reggie Jackson’s return to OKC is sweet

The Detroit Pistons edged out a 99-98 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a game that probably meant more to a certain Piston player, Reggie Jackson, than he would let on.

The Detroit Pistons had a sweet return from the Thanksgiving day holiday.  Perhaps no one’s day was sweeter, however, than Reggie Jackson who was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and traded in what was an ugly break up.

Since being traded to the Pistons, Jackson has had a tough relationship with Thunder players, and the fans in Oklahoma, as most believe he quit on the team.

Living in Oklahoma and having been to each game Jackson has played in Oklahoma City as a member of Detroit, I can say that the fans have not gotten over Jackson–not even after their beloved Kevin Durant departed to the Golden State Warriors.

No, Jackson is something of a villain to the Thunder and its fans, which is why this post-Thanksgiving win is that much sweeter.

I remember in year’s past, Jackson was booed every time he touched the ball. This season was a bit different, as fans chose only to boo when Jackson drew a foul, turned the ball over, or missed a shot.

Now, keep in mind that Oklahoma City has been dubbed “Loud City”.

So when these fans boo in what I suspect was a sell-out crowd, it truly is LOUD–louder than any other basketball atmosphere I’ve ever been to.

The TV broadcast audio doesn’t do the atmosphere justice.

Not only did the Pistons get the win, but Jackson had the pleasure of icing the game with two clutch free throws against a crowd that hates him, yelling all sorts of profanities, and against a former team that rejected his existence. 

There’s nothing more sweeter than that.

Next: Pistons overcome 15-point deficit, beat Thunder 99-98

Editors note: I don’t know how to incorporate this into the article, but this is a story that needs to be told. My wife and I were talking during a timeout at the game and we both got smoked in the head by a t-shirt cannon. BOTH OF US. It was unbelievably painful, but that paled in comparison to the embarrassment of getting hit with a t-shirt bullet in the head in from of thousands of people.