Facing Reggie Jackson is a major challenge in and of itself when defending the Detroit Pistons.
Add Brandon Jennings into the mix as his backup, and that task becomes all the more daunting.
The veteran point guard ruptured his left Achilles tendon midway through last season and has been easing his way back into the swing of things over the last few weeks. He will continue that comeback journey tonight when his Pistons take on the Celtics at TD Garden.
“I was out for [nearly] 12 months so I definitely was trying to get back as soon as possible,” Jennings said at Detroit’s shootaround this afternoon. “I think just being able to play the game of basketball again is the biggest thing for me.”
Jennings was itching so badly to get back on the court that he voluntarily reported to Detroit’s D-League affiliate – the Grand Rapids Drive – for a rehab assignment in mid-December.
Now back at the NBA level, Jennings has played limited minutes during his first four games, though he’s beginning to make strides. On Monday he notched 17 points and six assists during 18 minutes of play during a win against the Magic.
“He looks like he hasn’t lost a step,” said teammate Andre Drummond, who is leading the league with 16.0 rebounds per game. “I mean that’s just Brandon for you. The way he plays he makes everybody just believe in themselves. He plays hard and he doesn’t take any plays for granted.”
Jackson added, “He’s been doing everything to get back and be his full self, and I think it really showed in the last game. He’s probably still trying to get his steps back and everything, but he’s been looking strong, been playing well for us and he really gives that second aggressive playmaker with an attacker’s mentality that really puts pressure on the defense.”
The Pistons traded for Jackson last season, less than one month after Jennings’ injury took place.
Both players are fully capable of starting, but with Jackson currently running Detroit’s offense to the tune of 19.7 points, 6.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game, he’s standing pat as its starting point guard, at least for the time being.
As a result, Jennings is now coming off the bench for the first time in his career, but he’s embracing that role.
“Coming off the bench, I’m just doing my thing with the second unit,” said Jennings. “I’m bringing a lot of energy, so we’re just rolling.”
Pistons’ coach Stan Van Gundy is also pondering the possibility of having both ball handlers on the floor at once.
“I think having that second playmaker is a good thing,” said Van Gundy. “I don’t know when we’ll get to that, but at least it’s an option to have.”
Jennings likes the sound of that one-two punch, as he believes he and Jackson have the potential to form great chemistry on the court together.
“Having another ball handler out there would definitely help [Jackson] out a lot,” said Jennings. “Also, it would give him chances to play off the ball … That way he can actually get into a flow where I can pass to him and he can create and make things happen, so I think it would be easier for him.”
The Celtics are no stranger to that concept. They often have multiple ball handlers on the floor at once, featuring various combinations of Marcus Smart, Evan Turner and Isaiah Thomas. And they have proven that having two playmakers on the court together can pose problems for opposing defenses.
Defending Thomas should be the biggest problem for Detroit tonight. He has had his way with the Pistons this season, including a season-high 38-point effort against them on Dec. 16.
“He can get into a rhythm where he can go for 30 or 40 any night,” said Jennings. “He definitely keeps you on your toes.”
Jackson added that he and Jennings cannot guard Thomas alone. He emphasized multiple times that it takes a full team effort to keep Boston’s point guard off the board.
“He knows what he’s doing,” Jackson said of Thomas. “He can shoot, he can pass, and he can finish in the lane, so he’s a triple threat. He just makes it very difficult and we just gotta find a way to contain him.”
The same can be said regarding Jackson, as he cuts through opposing defense like a knife through butter. He’s averaging a league-high 12.0 dribble-drives per game; Thomas is close behind in fourth place, driving to the hoop 11.3 times per game.
Those numbers indicate that the point guards will likely be running the show tonight, especially scoring-wise.
Adding Jennings back into the mix only enhances that probability.
