For some, it's been clear for a long time that Milwaukee Bucks youngster Andre Jackson Jr. boasts plenty of untapped potential.
Yet, with Doc Rivers finally fully embracing the youngster and giving him a more prominent role this season, the rest of the league is finally starting to notice. One such person is Austin Rivers, a former NBA player and, ironically, the son of Milwaukee's head coach. Following Milwaukee's NBA Cup win over the OKC Thunder, Rivers raved about Jackson's potential.
Speaking on The Ringer's 'Off Guard with Austin Rivers,' the former player had this to say:
"Andre Jackson is an all-world defender already. He is unbelievable... If he can get a jump shot... Right now, he's better off volleyball punting it towards the basket... You can't take him off the floor because defensively, he's unbelievable.
I like his game. He has athletic abilities that you cannot teach. He cannot shoot the ball. Lift weights, work on your agility, keep your athleticism, go shoot threes... Andre Jackson, I hope you're listening. You are this close to making hundreds of millions. You do things physically that you cannot teach. The only thing you're missing is a jump shot.
If Andre Jackson Jr. can hit a corner three... he'll get paid $100 million. I'm not even kidding."
Andre Jackson Jr. is a jump shot away from become a two-way piece
Offense has always been a big question mark for Jackson, and it's been his biggest issue this season. Despite playing 18 minutes per game, he's averaging just 3.7 points while shooting 41 percent on his field goal attempts. His 3-point shot is actually solid at 38.1 percent, but he's only attempting 1.8 of them per game, so it's a small sample size.
To be clear, Jackson is out on the floor - and starting - for his defense. In lineups with Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks won't typically rely on Jackson for scoring. However, if he can develop that area of his game and become a reliable shooter, he would only become that much more lethal as a two-way threat.
The primary concern with Jackson is how he might hold up offensively in the NBA Playoffs. Teams will lock in on Giannis and Lillard, often leaving Jackson alone. Defenses have already been ignoring him on occasion during the regular season, daring him to shoot. He makes them pay sometimes, but he's not reliable enough in that regard yet.
Against the OKC Thunder in the NBA Cup title game, he got plenty of chances as the defense tried to slow down Milwaukee's stars, and Jackson shot just 1-of-6, including 0-of-4 from downtown. In these big games, he's going to get open shots; Andre Jackson Jr. just simply has to knock them down.
A significant factor in Jackson's success offensively will rely on him simply being confident. Early on this season, it was clear that he might not be confident in his shots, oftentimes passing up a nice look to find a teammate elsewhere. Lately, he has been taking more shots rather than giving the ball away, so he is trending up, but he has to keep his foot on the gas in this regard.
It's hard to complain about what Andre Jackson Jr. has done for the Milwaukee Bucks this season, even with the lack of offensive production. Not only is he oftentimes taking on the toughest matchup defensively every night, but he's also making an All-Defensive case in the process. He's been a breath of fresh air for a team that desperately needed some youth and athleticism.
If Andre Jackson Jr. can bring this tough defense while also becoming more reliable from downtown, Austin Rivers will be proven right when it's time to negotiate a new deal for the young wing.
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