The Sixers Missing Link

Jul 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard

(55) keeps the ball away from Los Angeles Lakers guard Xavier Munford (14) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Low Road

The Low Road to the promised lands is to take the man who stands lowest to the ground, and place him in the position to stand the tallest on the scoring charts. To most players, that’s a recipe for disaster. But for Pierre Jackson, it’s what he does best.

He set a D League record with a 58 point effort. Watch it here:

His game can electrify when he’s on. He can take the ball close, or pull up outside of the arc and drop it through the hoop.  His is a game of determination and will power.   With the bigs setting up in traffic, and with the options to pass off the ball, the fact is that Pappy Jack will be challenged to hurt defenses.   Nobody will commit to stopping him until he proves that he must be stopped.  He is a scrappy player who can lead this young team.  But most of all, he is the never quit attitude that is mandatory to get onto the basketball court in a Sixer uniform this year.

Pappy Jack has plenty of shooting options.  He will threaten from long range.   When teams come out to defend that shot, his size and speed are incredibly elusive.  That quickness and size make him nearly indefensible.  The best defense will try to take him out of his offense by bringing two bodies to corral him.

That’s what he wants, and will be his most dangerous.   Two bodies on the point means the 76ers will have options to get the ball to a free body.  He can make a move towards the basket and then kick out the ball to a waiting Stauskas, or drive the ball between defenders to push it over to a waiting Okafor or Noel.   The low road is the easiest road to travel, and if Pappy Jack delivers his potential, this will be a very effective scenario.   Jackson is selfless, and will not command the 45 minutes in a game.  But his style will give defenses fits as they struggle to contain him.

Next: Middle Road