Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

There was a time Reggie Jackson’s career was absolutely going nowhere. Years after, the point guard is thanking Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone for helping him stay relevant in the NBA.

Before he first played for Mile High City last year, Jackson spent almost 12 seasons with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons, and Los Angeles Clippers. Throughout that period, the point guard averaged 13.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.

After being traded from OKC to the Pistons, it seemed Jackson was on his way to becoming Motor City’s best player. This was seen during the 2015-16 season when he posted 18.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, considered as the best run of his career.

But after running his mouth in several occasions and failing to back it up on the court, Jackson’s career didn’t ascend to where he expected it to be. Fast forward to 2023 when he was traded by the Clippers to the Charlotte Hornets and waived shortly after.

By then, Denver snatched him up and signed the point guard to a contract. Coincidentally, the Nuggets went on a deep playoff run, which resulted in a championship for Nikola Jokic and company.

Denver Nuggets Head Coach Michael Malone Shares Emotional Moment With Reggie Jackson

Malone is known as a coach who establishes great working relationships with the guys who play for him in Denver. This can be seen in a tweet posted by Matt Brooks on X about the Nuggets coach and the veteran point guard:

“Michael Malone says he gave Reggie Jackson a hug and said “I’m so proud of you.”

Jackson responded: “Thank you for sticking with me,” Brooks shared.

Malone first came to Denver during the 2015-16 season, a period when the Nuggets weren’t really relevant in the NBA. Since then, the head coach has won 452 games and lost 357 during the nine seasons he has coached there.

With the Nuggets competing for another ring, Jackson has the chance to make his career better than it ever was before. Fortunately, he has Malone coaching him at this point in time.

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