Needing a spark, Doc Rivers decided to switch things up in the Milwaukee Bucks' starting five ahead of their outing with the Utah Jazz.
The change involved sending Gary Trent Jr. to the bench in favor of Andre Jackson Jr. The hope was that the ever-energetic Jackson could give this team a needed spark, something that Trent has not been able to do amid a grueling shooting slump. How did the change pan out in this first matchup? It almost couldn't have gone any better.
While the two teams traded blows throughout much of the first half, the Bucks took control of things in the final two quarters and finally secured their second win of the season. Jackson certainly played a part in this, so let us break down his performance and give it a letter grade.
The good from Andre Jackson Jr.'s performance
Where to start? Defensively would be a good place, as that is largely why he was promoted to begin. As expected, Jackson provided a jolt alongside the other starters, hounding Utah's guards on every single possession. Both players got their points, but Jackson made them work for every bucket they tallied. He also finished with four steals, showing just how pesky he can be on that end.
Offensively, Jackson did his part. As a scorer, he consistently attacked the hoop in transition, an area this team has struggled in outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo, helping the Milwaukee Bucks outscore the Jazz 39-7 in fastbreak points. He also stretched the floor and buried his only 3-point try. While he is still not looking to score often, Jackson showed tremendous confidence in the shots he took.
The guard also flexed an underrated aspect of his game, which is his facilitating ability. Whether he was throwing a lob to Giannis Antetokounmpo or kicking it out to Bobby Portis for a 3-pointer, the youngster was looking for his teammates all night. He finished with four assists on the night, taking on responsibility as another facilitator in the starting five, a welcoming lift.
Jackson also attacked the glass, and even though he finished with only three rebounds, his presence was still felt on the boards.
The "bad" from Andre Jackson Jr.'s performance
Andre Jackson Jr. had four fouls in this matchup. Personal fouls have been his Achilles heel during his entire career, which has kept him off the floor in the past. While you don't want to pick up four fouls on the regular, this does show that Jackson was being aggressive. Matched up with those quick guards, a little aggressiveness can go a long way, even if you pick up a few fouls.
With each passing game, Jackson is becoming a smarter basketball player. While the foul issues may linger for a while, he will grow in that regard. Trusting him to guard the opposing team's best players on a nightly basis will skyrocket his confidence. Remember, he's still just 22 years old; he's far from a finished product. Still, the potential is there.
In his first starting appearance of the 2024-25 NBA season, Andre Jackson Jr. looked like a natural. He finished with seven points on 3-of-4 shooting, four assists, four steals and three rebounds in 28 minutes of action. Outside of the fouls, it's hard to gripe about much.
BTBP Grade: A
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