Terry Foster: There Was No Reason For Reggie Jackson To Gloat Against Thunder
By Terry Foster
@TerryFoster971
Pistons guard Reggie Jackson must answer to his walk on the wild side.
It won't come today or this summer. But at some point he must face payback when facing Russell Westbrook or Kevin Durant on the court. He'd better be ready because they will be coming at him with everything they've got verbally and physically.
Jackson enjoyed a wonderful moment at the Palace Tuesday night. The Pistons were taking one more step to their first playoff berth in seven seasons when Jackson taunted his former team and riled up the crowd with a defiant hop and skip down the court.
It was more of a strut and he had every intention of rubbing his glee in the Thunders' face. Bad blood still boils from his days as a reserve guard there.
This is not over. Westbrook, who is one of the best guards in the game took notice and took notes for the next time they meet.
"I thought it was some real (bleep) for our team and our organization," he said. "I don't like it at all. But it is what it is. We'll see him down the line. We'll take care of that when we get there."
There was no reason for Jackson to gloat. The Pistons did not clinch a playoff spot and this game meant nothing to the Thunder. Serge Ibaka and Durant sat. They've locked down the third seed in the West and are getting ready for the playoffs. The Pistons, instead, faced Josh Huestis and coach Billy Donovan did not have a serious rotation out there.
Jackson acted like he beat the Thunder at full throttle, which he did not. He gyrated in front of the Thunder bench and shot a couple of side glances at them.
There is obvious friction between the two parties.
Thunder big man Steven Adams shot a few words at Jackson.
"He said a few words," Jackson told reporters. "I said a few words."
Adams said: "Says a lot about him. Keep it up here for next time."
Adams pointed to his temple. In other words this battle is just beginning.
It was a big win for the Pistons. They officially moved into the number seven playoff spot but are tied with No. 8 Indiana in the loss column with 35. Now they simply need to hold off struggling Chicago or Washington and they will make the playoffs, an experience the Pistons badly need.
Jackson is a tough guy and I am sure he can handle the thunder that the Thunder will throw at him next season. He needs to grow up and move on. The Pistons are a much better fit for Jackson than OKC. Jackson wanted to be the man but Westbrook rightly holds that title. It was never going to happen.
He was also angry that he was not traded to the New York Knicks. Instead he had to dangle for a few more days before the Pistons deal happen. Once again he is in a better spot. What's the hang up?
He needed a fresh start and Jackson has begun to make a difference here with the Pistons. He might be mad about what happened in OKC, but he is in position to duplicate point guards Isiah Thomas and Chauncey Billups -- point guards that brought titles to Detroit.
"He wasn't changing nothing for us," Westbrook said. "Obviously he didn't want to be here. He's at a better spot. He's not doing too much of a difference if you ask me. He's gonna stay over in Detroit. We gonna stay over here and we'll see them next season."
I can't wait.
(Foster can be reached at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com)