Rotation splash
Luke Jackson has worked his way back from back surgery to force an opportunity for playing time. He is making an immediate impact off the bench for the Cavaliers.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Story by Burt Graeff
It's been three decades since Cavaliers games were ac companied with chants of "Luuuuuuuuke, Luuuuuuuuke, Luuuuuuuke." (Karma says : What about Luuuuuc Longley, well at least I was :chuckles: )
The chants in the mid-1970s were for Luke Witte, a 7-0 center from Ohio State.
Today, they are for Luke Jackson, a 6-7 forward from Oregon.
Jackson, 24 last Sunday, is attempting to jump-start a career that was derailed by back surgery as a rookie last season. Getting a career-high 15 minutes in Wednesday night's 112-85 victory over Seattle, Jackson had five points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals serving as backup to LeBron James at small forward and Larry Hughes at shooting guard.
"For me, it is a little like starting over," said Jackson, a first-round pick --10th overall -- in the 2004 draft.
"Every time on the floor, I am feeling more and more comfortable."
First-year Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is giving Jackson the opportunity to succeed or fail. In knocking Sasha Pavlovic out of the team's nine-man rotation, Jackson has played at least 14 minutes in each of the past three games - getting 10 points and six assists.
"Luuuuuuuuke" chants cascaded from the upper levels of The Q when Jackson knocked down a 3-pointer with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter that shot the Cavaliers into a 97-67 lead over the not-so-super Sonics.
"Sure I heard [the chants]," Jackson said. "It was a lot like I heard in college. I love the crowds in Cleveland. I feel that they identify with me. I want to bring energy into the game, and I think the crowd feeds off that."
There is little doubt that Jackson can hit the spot-up jumper. In 15 NBA games (10 last season, five this season), he shot 54 percent (7-of-13) from 3-point range.
Among the questions to be answered: Can he put the ball on the floor against the quicker defenders at the NBA level and take it to the basket? Can he defend the quicker players he will be seeing?
"What I want from Luke is for him to be strong defensively," Brown said. "I just want him to be concerned with his defense.
"Offensively, he's got all the tools. As long as he plays within the system, he will be fine."
Jackson is the last of former Cavaliers General Manager Jim Paxson's first-round picks. Danny Ferry, Paxson's successor, says he likes what he sees.
"In general, I am encouraged by what I see," Ferry said. "It's kind of like his rookie year, but on the other hand, he should be more prepared than the rookies of this season because he has been exposed to the NBA for a year.
"He understands it more."
Jackson sounds as though he's ready to take advantage of the opportunity Brown is presenting.
"There were a lot of high expectations last year that were not met because of the back surgery," Jackson said.
"Sometimes, though, God has a different plan. We'll see."
Link
Luke Jackson has worked his way back from back surgery to force an opportunity for playing time. He is making an immediate impact off the bench for the Cavaliers.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Story by Burt Graeff
It's been three decades since Cavaliers games were ac companied with chants of "Luuuuuuuuke, Luuuuuuuuke, Luuuuuuuke." (Karma says : What about Luuuuuc Longley, well at least I was :chuckles: )
The chants in the mid-1970s were for Luke Witte, a 7-0 center from Ohio State.
Today, they are for Luke Jackson, a 6-7 forward from Oregon.
Jackson, 24 last Sunday, is attempting to jump-start a career that was derailed by back surgery as a rookie last season. Getting a career-high 15 minutes in Wednesday night's 112-85 victory over Seattle, Jackson had five points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals serving as backup to LeBron James at small forward and Larry Hughes at shooting guard.
"For me, it is a little like starting over," said Jackson, a first-round pick --10th overall -- in the 2004 draft.
"Every time on the floor, I am feeling more and more comfortable."
First-year Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is giving Jackson the opportunity to succeed or fail. In knocking Sasha Pavlovic out of the team's nine-man rotation, Jackson has played at least 14 minutes in each of the past three games - getting 10 points and six assists.
"Luuuuuuuuke" chants cascaded from the upper levels of The Q when Jackson knocked down a 3-pointer with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter that shot the Cavaliers into a 97-67 lead over the not-so-super Sonics.
"Sure I heard [the chants]," Jackson said. "It was a lot like I heard in college. I love the crowds in Cleveland. I feel that they identify with me. I want to bring energy into the game, and I think the crowd feeds off that."
There is little doubt that Jackson can hit the spot-up jumper. In 15 NBA games (10 last season, five this season), he shot 54 percent (7-of-13) from 3-point range.
Among the questions to be answered: Can he put the ball on the floor against the quicker defenders at the NBA level and take it to the basket? Can he defend the quicker players he will be seeing?
"What I want from Luke is for him to be strong defensively," Brown said. "I just want him to be concerned with his defense.
"Offensively, he's got all the tools. As long as he plays within the system, he will be fine."
Jackson is the last of former Cavaliers General Manager Jim Paxson's first-round picks. Danny Ferry, Paxson's successor, says he likes what he sees.
"In general, I am encouraged by what I see," Ferry said. "It's kind of like his rookie year, but on the other hand, he should be more prepared than the rookies of this season because he has been exposed to the NBA for a year.
"He understands it more."
Jackson sounds as though he's ready to take advantage of the opportunity Brown is presenting.
"There were a lot of high expectations last year that were not met because of the back surgery," Jackson said.
"Sometimes, though, God has a different plan. We'll see."
Link