Reggie Jackson was one of the final players to be signed to the Los Angeles Clippers prior to the start of the regular season. In one season, Jackson went from backup point guard to the Clippers' second-most important player in the team's deepest postseason run. He called the entire season a blessing.
“I'm extremely proud of this team,” Reggie Jackson said. “It sucks that it's cut short, cut short of our ultimate goal this year of winning a championship. But couldn't be prouder. Couldn't be prouder. Like you said, dealing with all the adversity, injuries, everybody dealing with health protocols, guys in and out of the lineup, just not sure how everybody is feeling day-to-day. And the way this season just been kind of pushed, fast-paced, I'm proud of the way we battled. Never complained. This team just never made excuses. Continue to put in the work each and every day. And I think we got everything we deserve.”
Jackson averaged 10.7 points and 1.8 3-pointers per game on 45.0 percent shooting overall in the regular season. In 19 postseason appearances, Jackson was even better, averaging 17.8 points and 3.1 3-pointers per game on 48.4 percent shooting from the field.
In fact, Reggie Jackson actually averaged 21.4 points and 4.4 assists on 48.5 percent shooting in the eight games after Kawhi Leonard went down with his knee injury.
Jackson fit in and played admirably throughout Kawhi Leonard's absence, helping the franchise reach its' first-ever conference finals.
“This year was my best year,” Reggie Jackson explained, tearing up in the process. “The most challenging year. The most fun year. Not sure I was going to play. Ups and downs. Guys were injured. Still found my way into this locker room. First thing I told these guys was, ‘thank you for saving me.' I appreciate every guy in that locker room.
“I appreciate Paul for getting on that phone last year, at the end the season—was talking to a buyout with Detroit. I'm thankful for everything I've experienced being here, this city making me feel at home. This organization welcoming me, my quirks, my strengths, my weaknesses, I wonder if I would still be playing without this team. So, yeah, I thank them. It's a special year. Like I said, it sucks that we didn't win it, but I'll ride with those guys. Those guys rode with me all year and I'll ride with those guys. And that's what makes this one tougher, makes this extremely tough … end of the season, hoisting the trophy. I think that group, they found ways to push me every way and every day to challenge me, to ask me to be better, to encourage me to be better. Became family and it's been a great day in the brotherhood here. It's been an extremely special year under these extreme, difficult circumstances that everybody's been under with the pandemic, COVID, this core group is the one thing that allowed me to be myself and I'm forever thankful.”
"My 10th year has been my best year. The first thing I told those guys is thank you for saving me. I appreciate every guy in that locker room."
– A very emotional Reggie Jackson spilled his heart out after the game. pic.twitter.com/5TkL9M3FPS
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) July 1, 2021
Jackson will enter free agency as one of the most coveted players in this class. It wasn't expected to be this way, but he earned himself a lot of money and options this summer, as noted by good friend Paul George.
Reggie Jackson developed some of the funnier nicknames as a member of the Clippers. Big Government, Mr. June, and Reggie Vision, were all nicknames given to Jackson by Clippers fans that stuck.
During the latter parts of Jackson's postgame interview, he touched on his impending free agency as any players dealing with an immediate heartbreaking loss would.
“This city is special to me. I can't predict the future, I have no idea what happens, but this city, this organization, this fan base is special. It holds a special place in my heart forever. I'll forever be a Clipper. I'm thankful. I'm thankful for this opportunity. I'm thankful everybody who has been part of the journey who supported and made this year special.”
"This city's been special to me. I can't predict the future, I have no idea what happens, but this city, this organization, this fanbase… They're special. I'm thankful for this opportunity. I'll forever be a Clipper."
– Reggie Jackson on if he’ll return next season pic.twitter.com/8zbqY5lhYg
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) July 1, 2021
It's safe to say that no matter where Reggie Jackson goes in free agency, he and Clippers fans will always have a special place in their hearts for one another.
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