Pacers Report Cards: Grading every Pacers player through the All-Star break
By Mueez Azfar
Isaiah Jackson
Stats: 44 Games, 13.7 MPG, 6.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 0.7 TOV, 2.7 FPG 65.2/0/70.5 Splits on 67.6% TS
2022-23 Stats: 63 Games, 16.5 MPG, 7.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 0.8 TOV, 2.4 FPG 56.3/14.3/65.1 Splits on 59.5% TS
From one surprise to another. In a similar position to Jalen Smith last season, Isaiah Jackson's spot on the team was also in jeopardy, but this was perhaps less serious than Smith's. With a full season of Tyrese Haliburton at the help and an improved roster, Jackson was expected to have a breakout season this year, and so far, he has kind of delivered on that promise.
Despite averaging a career-low in minutes so far, Jackson's Per 36 minutes stats look spectacular at 18/11 with three blocks. This alone shows that he is worth keeping around but the adjusted stats do not tell the full story.
With Jackson on the floor, Indiana is a much improved defensive team, improving their defensive rating by four points with Jackson playing as opposed to when he sits. The opponent's three-point percentage also goes down from 39% to 33%. However, the biggest gripe with Jackson's defense and his game overall is what it always has been and why his spot on the team was in jeopardy in the first place, that being his high foul rate.
Those per 36 minutes that pen Jackson at averaging 18/11 also have him averaging seven fouls a game, which is one full foul out with an extra foul. Jackson's lack of discipline on the defensive end is mostly what has prevented him from playing big minutes. He has all the talent in the world to be a starting-caliber center, yet his proneness to fouls makes him very hard to leave out there for long stretches, especially in the ends of close games with teams usually being in the bonus.
High foul rate aside, Jackson will get a good grade. So far, he has been the best Indiana can ask for in a third-string center, and unlike Smith, he will most likely be around for a while.