Reggie Jackson had nothing but great words for the Los Angeles Clippers following Game 6 of the 2021 Western Conference finals. The Clippers succumbed to the Phoenix Suns, 130-103, finishing a season where they finally reached this stage.
Jackson played a significant role in that, stepping up for his team when Kawhi Leonard went down with a knee injury. The player increased his value with his performances in the past couple of weeks, becoming one of the most important pieces for the Clips.
But, just like the team has to be thankful to Reggie, he gave flowers to the Californians. A couple of days ago, he admitted he considered retirement after last season, but his teammates supported and took him to this point. In the post-game conference, a tearful Jackson thanked the Clippers for saving him, claiming he’ll be one of them for the rest of his life.
Via CBS Sports:
“It was the most challenging year. The most fun year. Not sure when you’re gonna play. Ups and downs. Guys getting injured. Still finding my way in this locker room. First thing I told those guys was ‘thank you for saving me.’ I appreciate it. I appreciate every guy in that locker room. I appreciate Paul [George] for getting on that phone last year and the end of the season as time went by in Detroit. I’m thankful for everything I’ve experienced here.
This city makes me feel at home. This organization welcoming me. My quirks, my strengths, my weaknesses. I’m not here today without this team. I’m not still playing without this team. I thank them for everything. In my heart this will forever be a special year. Like I said, it sucks that we didn’t win it, but I ride with those guys. Those guys rode with me all year and I ride with those guys. That’s what makes this one tougher. That makes this one extremely tough. To be the ones that, not getting the win, to be the ones at the end of the season, not the ones hoisting the trophy.
I think that group revitalized me. They found ways to push me every day, to challenge me, ask me to be better, encourage me to be better. We became family. This has been an extremely special year under these extremely difficult circumstances that everybody’s been under with the pandemic, COVID. Last year at the half, the way this team took me in, the way this core group welcomed me, the way that they’ve allowed me to be myself, like I said, I’m forever thankful for this group.”
It was great to see this player grow from all the criticism to become Paul George’s sidekick in the absence of Kawhi Leonard. When the Clippers needed another player to show up, Jackson took that spot, helping his squad reach the WCF and taking the healthy Phoenix Suns to six games.
It’s unclear if he will return to the Clippers after this season, but Jackson is happy that things worked really well with the Clips. Seeing his performances this postseason, he won’t miss suitors for the next campaign.
