Reggie Jackson returns to Oklahoma City on Friday for his first appearance here as a Detroit Piston. Let me say this about Oklahoma City NBA fans—they are extremely fair and respectful of players. It’s a great building for players. Other than Artest after the elbowing of James Harden–I can’t remember much disrespectful behavior from the crowds. Patrick Beverly gets booed, but he deserves it. Blake Griffin occasionally gets a smattering of boos but that was earlier in his career when he quite frankly deserved some of it for his theatrics. But for the most part–Oklahoma City fans are fair. They respect players.
Some wondered what kind of reception Harden would get his first time in OKC as a Rocket. He was almost universally cheered. I still wear my Harden T shirts. Still love him even though I hate Morey and the Rockets in general.
So Reggie Jackson, the self proclaimed minimalist comes to OKC on Friday night. I’m very curious to see the reception he gets after his departure from OKC on the trade deadline last season. I don’t boo players. I called Artest a cock roach, but never booed him. Same with Patrick Beverly—never booed him. Kind of in a old school way admired his moxie albeit injuring Westbrook.
With Reggie I won’t boo either. But unlike other players who have come and gone thru OKC both with the Hornets and Thunder—he’s not one I have any lasting affection for at the end of the day. It’s like to me—he doesn’t exist. I’ll probably just yawn when his name is announced which is kind of sad because he did some really nice things during his time in Oklahoma City.