24-year-old Reggie Jackson, the likable and lightning fast OKC Thunder guard, is on fire. With Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook out with injuries, Jackson scored 57 points in the Thunder’s last two games–a win and a loss–with double digit assists. Jackson is trying to keep the Thunder above water until his star teammates return, rested and perhaps ready for a championship run.
It’s not easy. The Western Conference is brutal. A good guess is the 8th and last playoff seed will need 48 wins to make it in the West. The Thunder will relinquish home court advantage if they do sneak into one of the final spots, but Jackson will take it. He’s the starter and team leader now, moving from sixth man, and he’s ready to turn around the 3-6 OKC start. Most of those losses have been close, as the Thunder learn to play without their two biggest guns.