Reggie Jackson settling in, solidifying ‘Big 3’ for Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons desperately needed Reggie Jackson to heat up when he has. Can he find consistency in his game to make his team a real threat?

Reggie Jackson has been the missing piece to the Detroit Pistons for the past couple of seasons. Right now, he looks like the guy that helped them get into the playoffs in the 2015-2016 season.

Knee and ankle injuries have plagued a majority of his time with the Detroit Pistons.

Jackson played in the home stretch of games last season after the Pistons were essentially out of the playoff race.

The combination of Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond and Jackson played just four games together.

The starting point guard went on to admit that his ankle wasn’t completely healthy when he came back. Here’s what Jackson said in Keith Langlois’ article about his health:

"“I think anybody who watched, I never looked right. I never ran right. But that’s what you do. Everybody has nicks and bruises in this game. I wouldn’t change it any other way. I would still come back and play. It was just unfortunate that it wasn’t healed.”"

He didn’t get a chance to work on his game or practice with his teammates all summer because of his ankle injury. He went through a rehab process that kept him off the court.

He didn’t really get a chance to start getting reps with the starting unit until after the start of the preseason.

It was a rough start to the regular season for Jackson. Many were wondering if his injuries over the past couple of seasons had taken a toll on his potential.

His numbers in the month of October were putrid. He was shooting under 36 percent from the field and just 33 percent from three-point range.

Jackson just looked out of place without the ball in his hands as much as he’s been accustomed to since coming to Detroit.

It’s been a night and day difference in the month of November. He looks like he finally knows his role on this team.

He shot the ball much better in November. Jackson is shooting 41 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range.

Over his last four games, Jackson is averaging 20.5 points per game and five assists. He’s shooting 43 percent from the field and 41 percent from long range in those four games as well.

Last night against the Chicago Bulls, he scored 14 points in the first quarter and didn’t miss a shot. Jackson even used a crossover move to create separation from a defender last night and looked like the point guard the Pistons acquired back in 2015.

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That might be a sign that he’s completely healthy.

Jackson has been a big reason why the Detroit Pistons have been a much better offensive team as of late. He needs to continue to post these types of numbers if the Pistons are going to have any real success this season.

It will also take some of the pressure off of guys like Griffin and Drummond.

What the Pistons really need out of Jackson is shoot better from three-point range.

There are so many opportunities from out there because opposing defenses double team Griffiin inside and close on Drummond quickly as well.

His three-point attempt rate is at a career-high 49 percent. Now more of those attempts need to start turning into makes.

Jackson has proven to be respectable from distance at times in his career. Lately, he’s been much better out there. It’s all about finding consistency at this point.

It’s even better to see him heating up going into the month of December where the Pistons will have a lot of tough games.

Detroit Pistons fans have to be happy about what they’re seeing from Reggie Jackson right now. He can make this team a legitimate eastern conference contender when he’s firing on all cylinders.