Up until the Philadelphia 76ers traded up for the No. 1 pick with their eyes locked on point guard Markelle Fultz, Kansas forward Josh Jackson was in the conversation for the top selection in Thursday night’s draft. As expected, Philadelphia took Fultz and then the Los Angeles Lakers drafted hometown product Lonzo Ball, another inevitability once they traded their previous point-guard-of-the-future D’Angelo Russell away to the Brooklyn Nets.
Everyone had a feeling the Boston Celtics were looking for a wing with the No. 3 pick, but they opted for Duke’s Jayson Tatum, leaving Jackson on the board for the Phoenix Suns at No. 4. Landing in Phoenix is potentially better than going to the Sixers or Lakers — and I’ll explain why in a sec — but in the interview room afterward, Jackson said he wants to make the three teams that passed on him feel “sorry.”
Don’t take Jackson’s words out of context. They’re strong words for sure, but he recognized that every player in the draft probably feels just as confident. Here’s what Jackson said after his selection to Phoenix via CBS Sports:
“I don’t think the other guys in this draft really care as much as I do,” Jackson said. “I don’t think they play as hard as I do, period. I think that’s what really makes me special. I refuse to fail, period.”
“If you ask me, of course I’m going to say I’m the best player in this draft, but if you ask those other guys, they’re going to say the same thing about themselves, I’m sure,” Jackson said. “But just I love competition, and I love proving people wrong. I’ve been drafted to Phoenix, and I’m going to go there and I’m going to make the best of it. I’m going to be the best player I can be. And those teams who didn’t draft me, one day they will be sorry.”
Sure, Jackson could have gone to a championship contender in Boston. But Phoenix is an exciting place to be right now — aside from the 117-degree heat waves. (Maybe the heat explains why Shaq once went streaking through the team’s facility.)
Even though the Suns had the second-worst record in the NBA last season, they have a stud scorer in 20-year-old Devin Booker, who had an insane 70-point game in March, and a pair of skilled point guards in Eric Bledsoe and Tyler Ulis. And now they have a slew of young forwards between Jackson, Marquese Chriss, T.J. Warren and Dragan Bender.
Even though Jackson is understandably bummed about falling a few spots, he seems to have a good grasp of the opportunity ahead of him in Phoenix. From CBS Sports:
“I was excited to be on any team at the top of the draft to be honest, whether it was Philly, Boston, L.A.,” Jackson said. “I felt like the type of player that I am, I could fit anywhere. But when I look at Phoenix and I see that they are so young and kind of need a 3, somebody to come in and play that 3 spot, and I feel like that’s my favorite position to play. That’s where I’m the most comfortable.”
Phoenix hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010, but this young core has the potential to get them back there within the next few years.
IT IS YOUR FAULT YOU FALL ON 4TH PICK! IF YOU ONLY WORKOUT FOR THE CELTICS, YOU’RE SUPPOSTEDLY THE 1ST PICK. BUT YOUR EGO EAT YOU WHEN MARKELLE FULTZ WORKOUT FOR THE CELTICS. BY CANCELLING OR DECLINING A WORKOUT FOR THEM IS SHOWS THAT YOUR MENTALITY IS NOT AIMING OR THINKING THAT YOU ARE THE BEST PLAYER IN THIS DRAFT! ARROGANT KID!