Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Sixth man extraordinaire turned emergency starter Jarrett Jack, who finished third in the voting for Sixth Man of the Year, had been the key to the Golden State Warriors 2-1 lead over the Denver Nuggets in the first round playoff series. If he continues to play this well, the Warriors will be on the verge of an improbable upset of the sixth seeded Nuggets and advancing deeper in the postseason.
Warriors head coach Mark Jackson elected to start Jack alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson once David Lee was lost for the playoffs with an injury, and the move has paid off nicely for Golden State. Jack has scored 23 and 26 points in the two games he has started, with the Warriors winning both of those games to take a commanding lead in the series.
Jack’s play should come as no surprise, considering that he was able to average 12.9 points and 5.6 assists during the regular season, while shooting .452 from the field and .404 from three-point range and was often in the primary ball handler for the Warriors in late game situations with much success.
The three guard lineup has given the Warriors an edge in the series and has allowed Golden State to withstand an injury that was potentially devastating to the Warriors chances of getting out of the first round. If Jack can continue to give Golden State 20+ points and seven assists a night as he has in the last two games, then the Warriors may very well be on their way to the second round instead of the favored Nuggets.
