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Indiana Pacers: Mark Jackson Should be in the Hall of Fame

By Shawn Chambers

19 Jun 2000: Mark Jackson #13 of the Indiana Pacers looks to pass the ball as he is guarded by Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA Finals Game 6 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Pacers in 116-111. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport
19 Jun 2000: Mark Jackson #13 of the Indiana Pacers looks to pass the ball as he is guarded by Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA Finals Game 6 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Pacers in 116-111. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport /
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Mark Jackson’s career with the Indiana Pacers was bright

The best point guard in the Indiana Pacers’ history is Mark Jackson.

Jackson is also one of the best point guards in NBA history.

He is fourth in NBA history with 10,334 assists. The only three players ahead of him are John Stockton, Jason Kidd, and Steve Nash. Mark Jackson has more assists than Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, and Isiah Thomas.

He is 23rd in NBA history with 1,296 games played. Mark Jackson played more games than Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, and Patrick Ewing. Over 17 seasons, he averaged 76 regular seasons game played per season.

Mark Jackson’s 1,608 steals are more than Chris Mullin, Julius Erving, and Larry Bird. Mark Jackson’s 4.52 Value Above Replacement is better than Wes Unseld, Joe Dumars, and Adrian Dantley. Mark Jackson’s 91.78 win shares are more than Bob Cousy, Earl Monroe, and George Gervin.

What do all those other players have in common? They are all members of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

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Starting his career strong, Jackson was the 1987-88 NBA Rookie of the Years before earning his only All-Star nod during his sophomore campaign. That season was the highest scoring output of Jackson’s career at 16.9 points per game while he also dished out 8.6 assists. He averaged double-digit assists over the course of a season three times highlighted by 11.4 per contest in 1996-97.

During his six seasons with the Pacers, Jackson played the role of savvy veteran point guard and averaged 8.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists.

For his career, Jackson tallied 9.6 points and 8.0 assists in 1,296 games. The single best game of his career came during the 1996-97 season when he recorded 21 points, 22 assists, and seven rebounds in a victory over the New Jersey Nets.

Perhaps more importantly than his stats, Jackson does not have an MVP honor or NBA Championship on his resume, however, he did help his teams to the playoffs in 14 of 17 seasons, four Eastern Conference Finals appearances, and one berth in the NBA Finals.

Jackson proved himself as a valuable starter on title-contending teams throughout his entire career.

In that lone NBA Finals appearance, the Pacers ran into one of the most dominant duos in NBA history with Shaq in his prime and Kobe Bryant coming into his prime seasons. Prior to that Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen dominated the East and gave Jackson trouble whether he was with the Pacers or the New York Knicks.

On five occasions, Jackson’s team was eliminated by the eventual NBA Champions, three times by the Bulls.

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There is a strong possibility that without MJ’s Bulls teams of the 1990s, Jackson could have multiple championship rings with multiple teams.

Stats by themselves do not matter when it comes to the Hall of Fame, nor does winning matter all by itself. A player’s entire body of work must be considered. The impact a player makes during their playing career and the legacy they leave matters.

When it comes to the history of the NBA, Mark Jackson matters. His record-breaking assist numbers, classic playoff battles in Madison Square Garden, and postseason matchups with MJ’s Bulls create a stunning resume. The story of the NBA in the 1990s cannot be told without mentioning his name.

In most cases, a player that scored single-digit points per game for his career, earned one All-Star nod, and has never held the Larry O’Brien Trophy would never be considered for the Hall of Fame.

Mark Jackson should be the exception.

Next. Austin Croshere: “The Next Great Indiana Pacers Player”. dark

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