When Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey glanced back at the pitch on Sunday and Wednesday, he saw two players he was very fond of.
Casey trained both Reggie Jackson and Luke Kennard as members of the Pistons, and shared what he learned about both men on Sunday before the Clippers trailed Detroit in the first of two meetings in four days (131-124) 33 points from Marcus defeated Morris Sr. (who also played two seasons for the Pistons prior to Casey’s arrival).
« It’s Detroit West, » joked Casey. « When you play against different teams in the league, ex-players, it’s great to see them. You’re happy … how they all fit in with their team – but tonight you want to kick their asses. »
30-year-old Jackson spent most of six seasons in Detroit, a tenure marked by injury, including a lower back stress response that severely curtailed his contributions in his senior season there, before he and the team broke up agreed on a buyout let him go to LA
« He was frustrated with his body and we needed the help back then to get him back, » said Casey. « But you can’t make a young man like this come back so it was frustrating for everyone around us. But he tried and worked and worked and worked and … had specialists looking at him. It’s one of those things who are just unhappy. »
But all the time to rest and recover, the Clippers benefited fully. You now have a player in Jackson that Casey remembers as « a super young man, a great kid, » someone who « lights a room when he walks in » – who has an increased appreciation for both his health and that Game has.
« The free time and the healing time and the new situation, it’s a fresh start for him and it’s good for Reggie, » said Casey, adding, « It probably humbled Reggie, let him know that this league is not forever, it can go any moment if you are in poor health, bad luck with your health. I think that probably triggered something on Reg. If I look from the outside in, that would be my take on it because … I promise you he won’t take it for granted, and no one in the league should take health for granted. «
Casey also beamed about Kennard, describing the 24-year-old shooter as » an enormous one. » young man « with an » enormous family « .
« The basketball business does everything else sometimes, » Casey said. « But Luke will have an enormous career in this league for a long, long time. »
« It was more of a contractual situation, a … business decision on his part, the team’s part, but Luke is a gamer. He’s really good at pick and roll, he’s smart – that is part of his game that people overlook is his death, and he’s definitely a mind-boggling 3 point shooter.
« All of these guys really compete and play well, » said Casey. « Only twice a year I don’t hope they are okay. »
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, who was asked about the starting grid on Wednesday about an hour before the start, said his top five would be « as of now » Jackson, Kennard, Ivica Zubac, Terance Mann and Morris.
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A few minutes after his virtual pregame scrum ended, word came from the team that Morris would miss Wednesday’s game, the second in two nights on the street, to rest.
He joined All-Stars Paul George (calm) and Kawhi Leonard (aching right foot) on the sidelines. Also out, but not with the team: Serge Ibaka (tightness in the lower back) and Patrick Beverley (broken hand).
Despite the increasing absence of potential starters, Casey insisted that his pistons had to be ready for the Clippers to pose a challenge.
“(Rajon) Rondo has won championships, still has juice; Pat Patterson, I had him in Toronto, I know what he can do; Luke, he doesn’t have to do much other than what he does best – shoot the ball … « Casey said, listing the available threats. » You have a lot of firepower. You may be in the second unit with this team, but they would start for many teams in the NBA. »
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