The NBA preseason games are underway and the rookies are stepping on the court for their first time of NBA action. Two rookies, Josh Jackson of the Phoenix Suns and De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings, impressed a lot of NBA fans in their preseason debuts and proved that they do belong in the NBA.
Josh Jackson – Phoenix Suns
Josh Jackson is a highly-touted rookie who has the potential to become an NBA All-Star. Fans compare Jackson to Andre Iguodala and Shawn Marion for his ability to play at both ends of the floor. And in his first pre-season game with the Phoenix Suns, his game looked a mix of those two NBA All-Stars.
Jackson had 14 points, three rebounds, one steal, and one block in only 15 minutes of playing time against the Portland Trail Blazers. And while the statistics don't show the whole story of his game, or the game for that matter, it does show how Jackson had an immediate impact in the game.
Josh Jackson came off the bench and was aggressive at both ends of the floor. While Jackson shot the ball relatively well (5-12 from the field), he also had six turnovers. Then again, having that many turnovers is usually a sign that the player is heavily involved in the game, and in Jackson’s case, it showed how hard he was working during the Suns’ come-from-behind win against the Blazers.
What surprised a lot of people was Jackson’s improved 3-point shot (2-3).
Granted that it was only one game, and a pre-season one at that, but it only goes to show that Jackson is working to improve upon his perceived on-court weakness. And if he develops a consistent three-point shot, the comparison with AI and the Matrix wouldn’t be as far off as some people think.
Jackson's pre-season game performance seemingly justifies the Cleveland Cavaliers' demand to include the young rookie in a trade deal back when the Cavs were shopping Kyrie Irving.
The Suns will next face the revamped Utah Jazz on October 6 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
De’Aaron Fox – Sacramento Kings
De’Aaron Fox looked comfortable in his pre-season debut for the Sacramento Kings. Fox tallied 16 points, two assists, one rebound, one steal, and one assist with zero turnovers in 17 minutes of action against the San Antonio Spurs.
Coming off the bench for the first time in a long while, Fox helped the Kings defeat the Spurs, 106-100, displaying a veteran’s poise seldom seen in a rookie. Fox will be playing after, and sometimes with, the Kings’ starter George Hill as the season progress and it would be interesting to see his development under the tutelage of Hill.
Fox is already a crafty scorer and an able playmaker while Hill is a high-character who has a reputation of being a solid point guard. If Fox takes to heart everything that Hill can teach him, he will undoubtedly be bound for success not only in the NBA but in life in general.
“I know the fans wanted to see me play – I hope I didn’t disappoint,” Fox said after the game.
After that performance, the Sacramento Kings fans should be upbeat for the future. Fox and the rest of the Kings will be back in action against the Spurs on October 6 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
