Action Jackson the Assasin

[TU4ever2]

Since the second half of the Houston game, Darien the Deadeye has been gunning down opponents from long range.

3/5 vs Houston in the 2nd half (60%)
1/2 vs ECU in 32 mins (50%)
1/2 vs Tulane in 28 mins (50%)
5/9 Total (55.5%)

For the season he is shooting a respectable 33% from behind the extended line.

I have also seen him turn down a couple deep shots that I would like to see him take. I think because he is selective if he can get three shots a game we will end up with two makes more often than one. It will also open up the floor and maximize the return on his athletic ability as a shot fake will suddenly create advantages he hasn't had with the sagging guard against the drive he has got as a general rule.

 

[TulsaAM]

If Jackson can consistently make from 3 it would help open up the middle while he is on the court. Jackson, Rachel, Horne, Joiner, Igbanu (when he's in the mood) would be a threat to score from anywhere on the court with Jackson hitting three's

 

[TU_BLA]

If Jackson can consistently make from 3 it would help open up the middle while he is on the court. Jackson, Rachel, Horne, Joiner, Igbanu (when he's in the mood) would be a threat to score from anywhere on the court with Jackson hitting three's

Igbanu is the primary beneficiary of Jackson hitting a few outside shots. In the last game against Tulane, the double team was much slower to develop and very deliberate. It always came from the off side instead of someone automatically sagging off of Jackson. Igbanu's stat line looked a lot like many of his lines last year in terms of few shots taken, hitting most, and really making teams pay for fouling him. This is the Igbanu we've been asking for since the start of the season. I like him coming off the bench though.

As for Jackson's shot...he won't be able to get it off if he's guarded. His motion and release point make it an easy blocked shot (it starts too low). It is a very smooth and efficient motion though which is probably the reason for the improvement. He used to have a lot of unnecessary movement in his elbow and hand on his shot. BUT, usually he is so wide open because other teams are daring him to shoot...having it blocked is not a concern...and if teams don't leave him to double low, that's even better for us and Igbanu/Ugboh.

 

[nevadanatural]

Easy solution if his three pointer is guarded, pump fake and drive, a bucket and a foul is still three points.

 

[TU_BLA]

Easy solution if his three pointer is guarded, pump fake and drive, a bucket and a foul is still three points.

Agreed. And he's extremely dangerous in that mode as well.

 

[TU4ever2]

Darien the Deadeye was once again on target.

2/2 vs Memphis

He is now shooting 7/11 since the second half of Houston game for a staggering 63%+ from three.

Tulsa is undefeated when Jackson sinks one from long distance.

I said early in the season that his ability to hit the outside shots (especially when left open) would drastically change this team. It has openned the floor for Igbanu and when he an Rachal are on the floor together it will allow for more balance and driving lanes.

 

[TU Man]

and several fan raising dunks!

 

[Tulsafanzz]

I agree Jackson has been a key part of our success. Yes, his 3 point shooting has definitely helped our offense!

However, I think Jackson’s defense (along with Rachal) & it’s influence on their teammates has been even more important. Since Haith rewarded Jackson’s efforts with more minutes this season, I’ve seen teammates really step up their defensive intensity as the season has progressed. Korita is way more aggressive on D than he was in previous seasons. I loved seeing Hill diving on the floor against Memphis & coming up with a steal for us!

Wainwright’s influence on our D is obviously important, but when you have key players (Jackson & Rachal) modeling what tough defense looks like, it’s a much easier sell for the coaches.

 

[TU_BLA]

I agree Jackson has been a key part of our success. Yes, his 3 point shooting has definitely helped our offense!

However, I think Jackson’s defense (along with Rachal) & it’s influence on their teammates has been even more important. Since Haith rewarded Jackson’s efforts with more minutes this season, I’ve seen teammates really step up their defensive intensity as the season has progressed. Korita is way more aggressive on D than he was in previous seasons. I loved seeing Hill diving on the floor against Memphis & coming up with a steal for us!

Wainwright’s influence on our D is obviously important, but when you have key players (Jackson & Rachal) modeling what tough defense looks like, it’s a much easier sell for the coaches.

I think it goes beyond that as well. It's not just simple defensive formation and philosophy on how to rotate. Simple fundamentals like footwork are essential. Watch Hill's, Joiner's, and Jackson's feet on the perimeter D. We're not getting beat with penetration on the perimeter. Watch Horne, Rachal, Igbanu, and Korita's feet down low and in the paint. We're getting good square position and beating the ball handler to the spot. Sometimes a lack of focus on fundamentals will kill formations and philosophy.

BTW, Hill's got great footwork and positioning defensively. He was frustrating the crap out of Memphis' PGs all night when they looked to blow by him.

 

[I.I.]

As for Jackson's shot...he won't be able to get it off if he's guarded. His motion and release point make it an easy blocked shot (it starts too low). It is a very smooth and efficient motion though which is probably the reason for the improvement. He used to have a lot of unnecessary movement in his elbow and hand on his shot. BUT, usually he is so wide open because other teams are daring him to shoot...having it blocked is not a concern...and if teams don't leave him to double low, that's even better for us and Igbanu/Ugboh.

Please don't ask anyone to change his shot like they did Korita's........lol

 

[TU_BLA]

Please don't ask anyone to change his shot like they did Korita's........lol

He's already changed it from when he first got here. It was a complete wreck as was his confidence from outside. Whoever worked with him (I suspect it was Shea) to get it to where it is has done wonders for him. Often times there is too much unneeded movement in the arms, elbows, and wrists with guys who don't have great outside shooting. The simpler the better. Just in seeing where he has come from to now, they've gotten him to get his elbow and his wrist/shooting hand more in line with the midpoint of his body. They simplified the process for him. That and probably 50,000 repetitions over the last year.

 

[Henry Kendall]

His shooting mechanics look much more efficient now. He has always been a good free-throw shooter, so you know he had the potential to be at least a decent outside shooter, once his confidence and mechanics were improved.

 

[TU_BLA]

His shooting mechanics look much more efficient now. He has always been a good free-throw shooter, so you know he had the potential to be at least a decent outside shooter, once his confidence and mechanics were improved.

FT shooting is much more about being in the right mental state and routine. Lots of time to think at the FT line AND most FT shooters don't jump during FTs although proper use of the legs makes FTs much easier (poor FT shooters are generally stiff in the legs when they shoot). My guess is they had to not only get Jackson to find a repeatable shooting motion but also get him to use his jumping ability to his advantage on the jump shots. He is more of a set shooter now with little bounce.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

He was a phenomenal outside shooter in HS. So you hurt his shooting for more than 3 years to get him somewhere near where he was in HS. For what, the last two thirds of his senior year?

 

[TU_BLA]

He was a phenomenal outside shooter in HS. So you hurt his shooting for more than 3 years to get him somewhere near where he was in HS. For what, the last two thirds of his senior year?

I can only imagine Kim English was trying to get him to get his shot off quicker. (K.E. was here during Korita's FR season right?). I don't have any issues w/ coaches trying to help kids develop their games and skills, and we have to remember, the coach not only needs to win games, but he's also telling kids they're going to be preparing them for the next level whatever that may be. But I get it, if a kid is getting results even with a faulty or not perfect shooting motion, it's probably best to not f*ck with it too much. Can you imagine if UCLA coaches tried to mess with Reggie Miller's shooting technique?