Just days after Sam Cassell left the Philadelphia 76ers for the Boston Celtics, the team added a fresh new face to their coaching staff. Bobby Jackson has agreed to join the team as an assistant coach for the upcoming season, marking the first hiring by new head coach Nick Nurse.
At 50 years old, Jackson brings a wealth of experience and knowledge.
He previously served as the head coach for the Stockton Kings in the G League for the past two years, achieving an impressive 40-25 record. In the most recent season, he led the team to the G-League Semifinals, a feat they had not accomplished since 2011. Before his coaching stint in the G League, Jackson worked as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings (2011-2013, 2015-2021) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (2013-2015). With the Kings (NBA) he served as a college scout and a player development coach. This came after he retired from the NBA as a player in 2009.
During Jackson’s playing career, he played for six teams including the Kings, Hornets, Nuggets, and Rockets. He was drafted 23rd overall by the Seattle Supersonics in 1997 but was traded to the Denver Nuggets before his rookie season. He made an immediate impact for Denver as he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. In 2003, while playing with the Sacramento Kings, Jackson was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year for his impressive performance off the bench. In 59 games, he averaged 15.2 points per game to go along with 3.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds. Despite moving around the league in subsequent years, Jackson returned to Sacramento for his final season in 2009, leaving a lasting impression on fans in every city he played.
Jackson’s experience will be valuable for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Given his previous roles as a player development coach and college scout, he is likely to play a significant role in the ongoing growth of guards Tyrese Maxey and Jaden Springer, both of whom are expected to have a major impact in 2023. Elsewhere, the Sixers have been linked to Rico Hines, who worked with Nick Nurse in Toronto last season. He was the team’s player development coach and would reunite with Jackson who he spent time with in Sacramento for several years.
As Nick Nurse continues to fill his staff for the upcoming season, the Sixers will have some important decisions to make on James Harden and Tobias Harris that will determine the direction of the franchise going forward. Harden is expected to decline his player option and look for a long-term deal and has been linked to the Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns. Harris has one year left on his deal and has been the subject of trade discussions throughout the league. No matter what direction the team goes, they will be faced with high expectations next season as they look to put a stop to their playoff woes.
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