Pierre Jackson still has work to do after getting new contract

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LAS VEGAS — Don’t expect Pierre Jackson to relax now. Not after everything he’s been through to get back on the court following a torn right Achilles just seven minutes into the Sixers’ first Orlando Pro Summer League game last season.

After signing a four-year, partially-guaranteed contract with the Sixers (see story), Jackson was back on the court again in his hometown of Las Vegas on Wednesday. He scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds in the Sixers' 75-68 loss to the Brooklyn Nets (see Instant Replay).

Not too bad for a guy playing in just his third game in a year.

“The first game (this week) was great for him,” Sixers Las Vegas Summer League coach Lloyd Pierce said. “Second game was tough for him. It was a back-to-back for him. He was sore. He’s done a great job just getting himself on the floor."

In that first contest, Jackson, a 5-foot-10 guard out of Baylor, had 15 points against the Los Angeles Lakers last Saturday. Taking on the Boston Celtics a day later, he had nine. Jackson did not play vs. the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

It's all been a part of Jackson's winding journey in the NBA.

He was selected by the Sixers with the No. 42 pick in 2013 before being dealt on draft night to New Orleans with Jrue Holiday for the rights to Nerlens Noel. He opted to join a team in Turkey but left abruptly before ever playing in a game.

Jackson then settled in with the Idaho Stampede of the D-League. He averaged 29.1 points and 6.2 assists in 31 games for the Stampede en route to being named a D-League All-Star. It was with Idaho that Jackson set a D-League single-game record with 58 points.

The Sixers reacquired Jackson last summer on a draft-night deal that sent former Louisville guard Russ Smith to New Orleans.

Jackson appeared to be in the team's plans last season until he suffered that Achilles tear. However, the Sixers didn't leave him out to dry and signed him to a partially guaranteed, one-year deal for $400,000.

Now nearly back to full health and with an even better deal in place, it's all about Jackson's regaining his rhythm on the floor.

“He’s got a lot of work to do, but he’s over that first hurdle,” Pierce said. “I don’t see that burst of speed. When it’s the first time you’ve played in a year, you’re not going to be 100 percent. You’re going to try to test it and build it up. He’s trying to find rhythm. You have to be a little cautious with your body, but trying to be aggressive.”

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