Reggie Jackson doesn't think Pistons have a ceiling this year
Reggie Jackson excited to get 2016-17 season going after Pistons get a taste of postseason action last spring
Many basketball experts expect the Detroit Pistons to take the next step toward contention in the Eastern Conference next season.
Reggie Jackson would agree with that.
The 26-year-old Pistons point guard joined ex-Pistons "Bad Boy" Rick Mahorn and Tom Byrne on SiriusXM NBA Radio to discuss the coming season and isn't keen on putting a cap on where the Pistons can go in 2016-17.
"I don't believe there necessarily is a ceiling," Jackson said. "We can go as far as we want. But it's really going to come from internal growth as a team. Not just in skills but mentally, as well, and being ready for the burden of the season.
"Just stay motivated through the season. Like I said, it's a long, 6- to 9-month season, so you've got to stay locked in, stay geared, you're going to have your ups and downs, going to have your tough times, but you gotta rely upon everybody in the organization, especially the teammates that get you through it. You gotta be mentally tough and, if we can check each other, then I think we can have another great year ... and have an even better year."
The Pistons finished 44-38 last year and reached the postseason for the first time in seven years, but were swept in the first round by the eventual NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jackson's production is a prime reason the Pistons improved by 12 games from 2014-15; he averaged a career-high 18.8 points to go along with 6.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game as the team's starting point guard.
And Stan Van Gundy was busy this off-season to add some key pieces to this young core, drafting power forward Henry Ellenson out of Marquette with the 18th overall pick and signing guard Ish Smith, along with big men Jon Leuer and Boban Marjanovic.
Jackson said he's been spending much of his off-season working out and staying in contact with his team. He admits, however, it's getting a little tiring and he's anxious to get the 2016-17 season started.
"Once you get a taste of (the playoffs), you want more," Jackson said. "I know going into the playoffs last year, myself, I was the only starter who had been in the playoffs. And just seeing the expressions of the guys throughout being there, seeing how they handled the playoffs, even though it was a short, four-game stretch, I think we were ready.
"I think we got a lot of experience out of it. Seeing the glare in everybody's eyes. They wanted more. They definitely wanted more."
Contact Brian Manzullo: bmanzullo@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrianManzullo.