May 25, 2007

Bobby Jackson burned one of his former teams, Sacramento, for 20 points in the Hornets’ second-to-last game of the season, a 125-118 victory. Jackson tallied 20-plus points in one other game, with 21 in a triumph over Utah on Jan. 27.

Hornets.com continues its look back at 2006-07 with player-by-player analysis of the team:

Bobby Jackson
NBA experience: Ten seasons (one with Nuggets, two with Timberwolves, five with Kings, one with Grizzlies, one with Hornets).
Age: 34.
Games played (starts): 56 (2).
Key statistical averages: 10.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists.
What we expected: The 6-foot-1 combo guard was the second-biggest free-agent pickup of the 2006 Hornets offseason, with only Peja Stojakovic’s signing generating more headlines. Chris Paul’s previous backup, Speedy Claxton, was also a free agent in 2006; the Hornets elected to sign Jackson at a more affordable cost. As the oldest player on the roster, Jackson was expected to provide veteran leadership. The 2003 NBA Sixth Man of the Year also was signed to be the club’s top reserve and contribute scoring punch off the bench. From an individual standpoint, Jackson was confident that he would bounce back from a down season with Memphis in 2005-06.

What went right: The University of Minnesota product was the club’s most effective scorer among the second unit, scoring double figures in 34 different games. Jackson provided several highlight-reel plays early in the season and helped spark the Hornets to an 8-3 start. His value to the club in 2006-07 was evidenced by the Hornets’ record with Jackson in uniform. The Hornets sported a playoff-worthy 30-26 record in the 56 games Jackson was available, but were just 9-17 when he was sidelined. The Salisbury, N.C. native closed the regular season in solid fashion, compiling double-figure scoring in seven of the last 10 games. Overall, in terms of his production in 2006-07, Jackson made the Hornets’ decision to sign him instead of Claxton look like a wise one. Claxton missed 40 games in Atlanta and shot 32.7 percent amid a rough season.

What went wrong: Perhaps Jackson’s most important objective in his first season as a Hornet was to remain healthy, but he missed 26 games. He sat out 21 contests early in the campaign due to cracked ribs and later was sidelined for five March games with a strained right Achilles. It was the fourth time in the past five seasons that he appeared in fewer than 60 games. On the court, Jackson was hoping to bounce back from a career-low shooting percentage of 38.2 in Memphis in 2005-06, but was only able to bump up his accuracy slightly, to 39.4. In fairness, Jackson battled a finger injury that may have hampered his shot at times.

The future: Jackson has two years remaining on the three-year contract he signed last summer, meaning he is under contract with the Hornets through the 2008-09 season, when he will turn 36. It’s reasonable to believe that if the Hornets can remain healthier as a team next season, Jackson’s overall play and shooting rate will improve, because he will be getting higher-percentage shots as a result of more talent surrounding him. Jackson was very upfront about the fact that he did not enjoy playing in Memphis’ slow-tempo offensive system in 2005-06. He hoped the Hornets would rely on a faster-paced attack, but widespread injuries contributed to a reduction in the Hornets’ transition game in 2006-07.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
Here’s what Hornets.com heard about Jackson in 2006-07:
ESPN The Magazine writer Chris Broussard, on comparisons between Jackson and Speedy Claxton, the man Jackson replaced:
“Speedy obviously did a great job for the Hornets, but Bobby Jackson is a top-flight reserve in this league. Bobby will be able to play together with Chris (Paul), and he’s another guy who thrives in the Princeton offense. I think it was a good move. I won’t say it was an upgrade over Speedy, but if Bobby’s healthy, he brings some of the same things as Speedy. He brings energy, he can score and he can change the pace of the game. The way they want to play where it’s up and down, he’ll fit nicely. The question as always with Bobby Jackson is, is he going to be healthy? If he’s healthy, he’ll be a good asset to the team.”

Charlotte radio play-by-play broadcaster Steve Martin, a former Hornets broadcaster:
“I’ve always loved Bobby Jackson. Unfortunately Bobby has been plagued by injuries, but he is a young man whose motor is always on.”

Minnesota radio analyst Billy McKinney, on Jackson and the Hornets’ 2006 offseason: