Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Josh Jackson: The corner has been turned

By Zachary Spiecker

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 31: Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks on January 31, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 31: Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks on January 31, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Josh Jackson has managed to alleviate what was a plethora of issues within his game. How good has he actually been since the start of the year?

A spark has lit up Phoenix. There is finally another glimmer of hope for Suns fans that is not named Devin Booker.

It’s Josh Jackson.

Jackson, the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, had been nothing short of a bust throughout his first 38 games as a professional basketball player. After Jay Triano had seen enough of Jackson scoring in single digits, which he did in 18 out of those 38 games, and posting a negative plus/minus, which he did in 35 of those 38 games, he benched the rookie in what ended up being a great game against the Atlanta Hawks.

In what was one of the best wins of the Suns season due to an incredible comeback, Jackson never left the bench.

Since then, things have been different.

That moment has been a folcrum in the season for Jackson, as since then his numbers have skyrocketed. Per 36-minutes he has a stat line of 21.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 43.6 percent from the field, 31.9 percent from deep, and 74.4 percent from the free throw line. The only other rookies to put up numbers near that in January are Ben Simmons and Lauri Markkanen.

Clearly Jackson has something going. Since the DNP-CD, he has posted eight double-digit game scores compared to the five he had prior, in not even half of the number of games.  And even with all of these numbers, there is more to Jackson’s improvement than stats.

Josh Jackson’s defensive prowess led to many teams becoming enamored on draft day, the Suns included. And just like his offensive game, it took him a little while to rediscover himself in the Association but he’s done it. Jackson’s been able to create multiple defensive highlights for himself such as this one where he completely dominated James Harden.

Next: Greg Monroe has been waved. What’s next for the center position?

High-level defense from Jackson is something nobody who scouted him would be surprised by. Nonetheless, an ability to keep players such as James Harden and Jimmy Butler away from the rim cannot be understated. This ability can become crucial for the Suns once they become competitive again. The only thing that can match having a top scorer on an NBA roster is having a top defender. Hopefully Jackson can provide a little of both. And since 2017 became 2018, he’s shown Suns fan everywhere that he most definitely can.

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