Did you know Jarrett Jack was still in the NBA? Answer honestly. We won’t judge you if you didn’t. After a long and fairly successful career as a mostly backup combo guard, Jack played only two games last season due to injuries and appeared to have reached the end of the road. But the Knicks signed him last fall, and he has since played competently as their starting point guard.
Earlier this week, the Knicks guaranteed Jack’s contract for the rest of the season, and he celebrated Wednesday by posting a — are you ready for this? — triple-double in New York’s double-overtime loss to the Bulls.
Yep, Jack tallied 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his second career triple-double (and first since March 21, 2012, nearly six years ago). The 34-year-old veteran shot 8-of-13 on the night, with several clutch buckets, including this nifty little lay-up…
.@Jarrettjack03 with two big buckets down the stretch. The deficit has been cut to 98-96 with 3:51 to go.
Watch on https://t.co/kwkwhsnWr6 pic.twitter.com/ocqJtVvWxG
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 11, 2018
And this beautiful give-and-go with Michael Beasley…
.@Jarrettjack03 & @Michael8easley delivering in crunch time! Tie game, 105-105.
1:21 | Q4 | Watch on https://t.co/kwkwhs6lzy pic.twitter.com/sBcqV2qXxz
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 11, 2018
You can tell Jack was really feeling himself Wednesday because he tried (and executed!) this playground move in the final minute of overtime.
Jarrett Jack using the junkball YMCA move in an OT NBA game is perfect pic.twitter.com/EcSaomLwvR
— Dime on UPROXX (@DimeUPROXX) January 11, 2018
And yes, Jack committed a costly turnover with less than 20 second to play in double-overtime and then missed a potential game-tying three in the final moments of the loss, but that’s not what’s important. Because Jarrett Jack, he of the 34-year-old legs and (until recently) non-guaranteed contract, just did something only 16 other NBA players have done in 2017-18.
Steph Curry does not have a triple-double this season. Giannis Antetokounmpo does not have a triple-double this season. Anthony Davis does not have a triple-double this season. Paul George and Jimmy Butler do not have triple-doubles this season.
But Jarrett Jack has a triple-double this season.
Live with Jack, die with Jack. Both of the point guards are turnovers waiting to happen. I believe Frank N. is going to be a good point guard but he definitely throws the ball away too much. While you expect the pg to have some turnovers the Knicks have a lot of unforced turnovers which all end up with points for the other team. Most of their losses are because of turnovers.