Midseason report card with second half expectations

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OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 12: Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns looks on against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on February 12, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

When Josh Jackson began the season slow, those fans who are quick to make emotional reactions after small sample sizes were totally unafraid to call Jackson a bust, especially when seeing what Jayson Tatum was accomplishing in Boston (not that Phoenix had the opportunity to select Tatum as he was taken one spot ahead of the Suns, but it was well documented that Ryan McDonough used a little intrigue to allow Jackson to slip to fourth giving him the opportunity to select him).

But Jackson remained undeterred, kept his head down and his feet moving, and after an early January benching by Jay Traino, has become a new player. Prior to the benching, in 41 games, Jackson averaged 9.4 points (scoring over 20 points just once), 3.7 rebounds, while shooting 38.8% from the floor and 26.8% from 3. Since then Jackson is averaging 15.9 points (scoring 20 or more points eight times) and 5.2 rebounds while raising his shooting percentage to 43.6% (although his 3-point percentage is nearly identical at 26.6%).

If Jackson were to have carried those stats throughout the season as a whole, he would be 3rd in rookie scoring average and 7th in rebounds.

For the final stretch of the season I expect more of the same, if not a little bit more from him. Hoping that he keeps his head on his shoulders and doesn’t use his post-benching success to settle and believe that he has “arrived,” Jackson should be able to continue to grow, and become the dominant player that many predicted that he before the draft.

Grade: B

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