The Future:
While much of the team’s talent did move on to the NBA, that doesn’t mean that the roster is completely devoid of potential. After all, one Jam player, Joe Jackson, was recently named Most Improved Player in the D-League, following a strong all-around season.
Jackson blew away media and scouts at the D-League Showcase in Santa Cruz with his efficient play and ability to set up his teammates, rather than just looking for himself.
Joe Jackson continues to fly under the radar in Bakersfield. Tonight he finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists with only 1 TO.
— Chris Reichert (@Chris_Reichert) March 12, 2015
Joe Jackson making plays! The sparkplug @BakersfieldJam guard just had a sweet drive & kick to the opposite corner for a 3. Late 4thQ @NBATV
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) January 17, 2015
For Jackson, his success culminated in an award. For another player, that success has yet to pay off, but the flashes are there. And Jackson isn’t the only one with a bright future.
Sure enough, Phoenix’s Alec Brown found his way to the Bakersfield Jam, after being drafted with the 50th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. In his D-League debut, Brown went for just six points in limited minutes, but he did have five blocks, using every inch of his seven-foot length to bother opponents.
As the D-League season went on, Brown got more comfortable, eventually throwing up 44 three-point attempts in his 17 games. Brown was drafted by Phoenix for his ability to stretch the floor with solid interior play, and while he shot just 34.1 percent from three, the groundwork has been laid.
The 2014-15 Bakersfield Jam roster will ultimately have featured at least a couple more future NBA players before it’s all said and done, and that’s a credit to the staff. Bubba Burrage did a really strong job assembling the team, and with Coach Bjorkgren at the helm, the Jam succeeded in their goals of developing players, even if they fell short of one goal: Winning a D-League championship.
Next: T.J. Warren: 2014-15 Phoenix Suns Player Grades