Invited to Paul George’s annual camp in Southern California, Reggie Jackson spoke to young people at the event to reflect on the doubts that plagued him when he played for Detroit. Not far from retiring because of low morale, he explains – in remarks collected by ClutchPoints — that Polo and the Clippers saved him. A touching story, which makes you realize that playing in the Great League is far from being a long calm river.
Playing in the NBA is an accomplishment. The ultimate recognition for any basketball player, often the dream of a lifetime. However, the most beautiful basketball competition in the world also brings its share of difficulties that are difficult to overcome when you are not prepared for it. And even if you have a steely mind, doubt can still arise. Playing on a losing team? Not phew. Fan reviews on social media? You don’t have to pay attention to it, but it can become a real stress factor over time. Reggie Jackson is the perfect example. Arrived in the NBA in 2011, he sailed to the Thunder then to the Pistons. Undoubtedly very happy to be able to take on a new challenge in Michigan, Reji was quickly disillusioned. The franchise made the Playoffs with him, while giving interesting responsibilities to its leader, but the latter’s repeated injuries and the bad words being sent to him on the networks will have had a time due to his happiness in the NBA. Remember that with Jackson, the Pistons will still only have taken part in the first two rounds – 2016 then 2019 – for two bitter 4-0 defeats once morest the Cavaliers then the Bucks. A bad atmosphere that gnawed at him, so much so that he thought regarding retiring in 2020.
“When I was in Detroit, for me, it was fun. The franchise wasn’t… They weren’t having a lot of success. We made the Playoffs when I was there. At the same time, I suffered a lot of injuries. Knowing the doubt, the critics of the fans… It really pushed me to question myself. It pushed me to the point… Luckily… Never let anyone do that to you in life, take away the joy you have of doing what you love to do. Because I was really regarding to retire. »
– Reggie Jackson
Never let others influence your passion once more. This is the watchword that Reggie Jackson imposed on himself later, when the Clippers came to get him in the winter of 2020. Recruited at the express request of Paul George himself, the leader landed in a team much better endowed in terms of talent. A fact that allowed Reggie to take a step back in terms of responsibilities. With Kawhi Leonard and his buddy Polo to lead the boat, the leader felt better surrounded. Like a Nicolas Batum who indicated a few months ago that Tyronn Lue had “saved his life” by bringing him to Los Angeles with a role of lieutenant, the Jack’ is also particularly grateful to the organization that allowed him to rediscover all the pleasure he had in playing basketball.
“What changed me, the reason you see me so happy is that my brother right here [NDLR : Paul George] saved me. He called me, and said they (the Clippers) were coming to get me. We’ve been laughing regarding it ever since because I ignored it on the spot. He was like ‘Yeah, we’ll get you’ and I was like ‘Yeah, whatever’. I was going to retire. In my mind, I was at peace with that. So he came to get me, and we didn’t have the best season the first year I came. I somehow managed to get back in shape. I was playing with top players, so I didn’t have to play a lot. »
Doubt, an important fact to consider when playing at level, whether in basketball or in any other sporting discipline for that matter. Reggie Jackson almost succumbed to it, but the story is good because the Clippers got him out of it. It is hoped that this story will be of use to others currently struggling with difficult thoughts.
Source : ClutchPoints.