Jim Jackson: NBA Legend

Jim Jackson is considered one of the best players in NBA history He was a shooting guard/small forward who played for six different teams during his NBA Career He was known for his passion and intensity on the court, and his skills quickly earned him a reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous scoring threats. Jackson was a three-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1993. He retired from the NBA in 2004 with over 20,000 career points.

Early Life and Career

Jim Jackson was born on February 28, 1970, in Portsmouth, Virginia. Jackson grew up playing basketball and developed into a star player in High School Jackson played collegiately at Ohio State University where he was a two-time All-American. After college, Jackson was selected fourth overall in the 1992 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks

Jackson enjoyed a successful NBA career, highlighted by All-Star Appearances in 1994 and 1996. Jackson also played for several other teams during his career, including the New Jersey Nets Atlanta Hawks Portland Trail Blazers Houston Rockets Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns He retired from the NBA in 2006 after 14 seasons.

In total, Jackson appeared in 1,064 NBA games (841 starts) and averaged 15.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game

Jackson’s Time with the Dallas Mavericks

In the 1990s, Jackson was one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers, and he helped the Dallas Mavericks to two consecutive 60-win seasons. During his time with the Mavericks, Jackson was selected to two All-Star teams and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 1997. He also helped Dallas to win its first division title in more than a decade.

Jackson’s Time with the New Jersey Nets

From 2001 to 2002, Jackson played for the New Jersey Nets In his first season with the Nets, Jackson averaged 12.8 points per game He struggled with injuries during his second season and only played in 28 games, averaging 8.2 points per game

Jackson’s Time with the Philadelphia 76ers

In his two seasons with the Sixers, Jackson averaged 18.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game He was a two-time All-Star with the team and helped lead the Sixers to the NBA Finals in 2001, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. Jackson also played for the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks Cleveland Cavaliers New Jersey Nets Houston Rockets Phoenix Suns Golden State Warriors Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat during his 17-year nba career.

Jackson’s Time with the Los Angeles Lakers

In 1997, Jackson signed with the Los Angeles Lakers forming what was arguably the NBA’s most talented trio with All-Star center Shaquille O’Neal and All-Star guard Kobe Bryant The team went 61-21 in Jackson’s first season with the club, and advanced to the Western Conference Finals, where they lost to the Utah Jazz in six games. The following year, Jackson helped lead the Lakers to a 67-15 record and their first NBA Championship since 1988. In the 1999 Finals, Jackson played a key role in defeating the Indiana Pacers in six games, scoring 21 points in Game 6 to help seal the victory. Jackson retired from the NBA following the 2003 season.

Jackson’s Time with the Cleveland Cavaliers

In his first season with the team, Jackson averaged 19.4 points per game leading the Cavaliers to a 54-28 record and the Eastern Conference Finals. In the Conference Finals Jackson’s Cavaliers would lose to the eventual NBA Champion Chicago Bulls in six games. The following year, Jackson again led the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference Finals this time defeating the Bulls in six games. However, they would ultimately lose to the Houston Rockets in seven games in the NBA Finals

Jackson’s Time with the Miami Heat

In his three years with the Miami Heat Jackson was part of a team that won two NBA championships Jackson was a key player in the 1996-1997 season, when the Heat won a then-franchise record 61 games. In the 1997-1998 season, Jackson’s time with the Heat came to an end when he was traded to the Denver Nuggets

Jackson’s Time with the Houston Rockets

During his time with the Houston Rockets Jackson was part of a team that made it to the NBA Finals in 1981. The Rockets lost in six games to the Boston Celtics but Jackson averaged 18.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game during the series. He continued to be a productive player for the Rockets, averaging 17.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game during his three seasons with the team.

Jackson’s Legacy

As one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history Jim Jackson was a force to be reckoned with on the court. After being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 1992, Jackson quickly became one of the team’s most important players. He went on to play for several other teams during his career, including the New Jersey Nets Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers In total, Jackson played in 1,089 NBA Games (starting in 886 of them), averaging 15.6 points per game

Although he never won an NBA Championship Jackson’s legacy as a great player is undisputed. He was a three-time All-Star (1993, 1994, 1995) and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 1995. After his retirement from the NBA in 2004, Jackson continued to be involved in basketball as a coach and broadcaster. In 2012, he was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

Jim Jackson: NBA Legend