Some might oppose labeling Luke Jackson as a ‘steal,’ which is a loose term to begin with. He was the fourth overall pick and never broke records or anything in that vein during his eight-year tenure in Philadelphia.
Even so, Jackson was a productive member of the Sixers for several seasons and performed beyond what his basic counting stats might indicate. He played an integral role in bringing a championship to the Sixers in 1967, completing a dynamic frontcourt next to Wilt Chamberlain.
Jackson’s career arc was unique. He peaked as a rookie, making his lone NBA All-Star appearance and averaging a double-double of 14.8 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. He was a powerful interior scorer, staunch defender and aggressive rebounder. It’s rare for rookies to make such important contributions in year one.
Injuries would derail Jackson’s career toward the end, but for the first five seasons — including the 1967 title run — he was one of the best players at a high point in franchise history. He was the yin to Chamberlain’s yang, forcing teams to deal with two high-level interior forces on both ends.
When the 1967 season concluded, the Sixers had ended the Boston Celtics’ eight-year championship run. It’s an understatement to say that rivalry has deep, deep roots. And Jackson is part of those roots.