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The Sixer Sense
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Pierre Jackson Cut Again In A Misfortunate Chain Of Events?

By Josh Wilson

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My heart really aches for this young talent in Pierre Jackson as I type this post. I, along with many others, truly thought this was the year that “Pappy Jack” would finally get a well deserved spot on the Philadelphia 76ers roster. As the offseason has unfolded, it looks like fate may have taken yet another wrong turn for the young point guard.

To refresh your memory about the events that have occurred before this season, here’s how Pappy Jack’s game-less NBA career has gone.

  • Drafted by Sixers in 2013, June
  • Traded to New Orleans Pelicans in 2013, July
  • Averaged just 3.67 points per game for Pelicans in summer league 2013
  • Spent part of year in D-League, averaging 29.13 points in over 30 games
  • Also played overseas, with not much success in 2013
  • Signed back by Sixers in 2014, July
  • Suffered ruptured achilles that set him back from gaining a roster spot

And finally, coming into this years training camp, all was right for Jackson. He was healthy, ready to chase his spot on the team, and ready to make his case to be the Sixers starting point guard on opening night. Jackson had worked hard to rehabilitate his achilles and get his body back to full strength. Even though he has yet to play an NBA game, he was the front runner for the position in a lot of fans’ minds.

The resilience of this 5’10” player captivated fans, and he was a true underdog, that everyone was rooting for.

But then, the competition got tough. The Sixers brought in Scottie Wilbekin and Kendall Marshall on top of players already going out for the point guard position like Tony Wroten and Isaiah Canaan. Ish Smith was not brought back by the Sixers, and instead signed a deal with the Wizards, but the positional battle for the point guard spot was very full.

It got even tougher. Head coach Brett Brown announced to the media before training camp that the amount of point guards they expected to keep was three, and Wroten and Marhsall were both expected to make the team, especially with the contract the Sixers gave Marshall. Not so bad, the window seems open for Jackson to put himself in the conversation for the start with these two out until late October. But then, this happened.

This comes following Jackson suffering a groin injury (soreness), and it looks like it’s going to affect him, and his spot on the team, for longer than first anticipated.

With this indefinite length of time regarding Jackson’s injury, it looks like it could be very far fetched for him to make the team. It’s far too risky for the Sixers to keep him around when two of their point guards are already not healthy.

Brown’s word and Jackson’s word aren’t matching up, to say the least though, as Jackson made it sound as if he still may be ready to come back very soon.

Even if there is no bad news, it’s a red flag for the Sixers. I like Pierre, and want him on the team, but why keep a guy who may be battling an injury down the stretch? It simply doesn’t make much logical sense to keep him around, especially with dealing with Wroten and Marshall’s ACLs on top of that.

I feel bad saying it, but it’s clear that this may be yet another season where Jackson has to beef up his skill set in a way that is not playing NBA basketball. Working out independently, the D-League, and international play are all options that I could see Jackson taking if he does in fact get cut.

The ideal situation for the Sixers? Jackson goes to the D-League, and they get to keep his rights. This is something we could see the Sixers doing with a few players, since the league upped the amount of training camp cuts that they can do this with from three to four.

Even if he doesn’t play for the Sixers this season, I hope that next year he does get another shot and ends up making the final roster. The skill this kid has is absolutely insane. Being able to jump as high as he does, with his height is more than impressive. Pappy Jack will bounce back, just as he always has, but it seems like time may be running out.

He will not give up, that much I do know.

Next: Besides The Point: A Focus On The Philadelphia 76ers Frontcourt

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