A full two decades before taking on the assignment of showing interested listeners, worldwide television viewers, and “mama” who “that man” is as a broadcast commentator, Mark Jackson utilized court vision and table-setting skills to spotlight those same types of players. Keeping the New York Knicks’ rapidly-improving offense ahead of schedule during a pivotal, late-season matchup, Jackson plays the connector role, retrieving an outlet pass from a teammate before springing a no-look pass across his torso to another, setting up a fastbreak finish. Jackson’s budding cohesion with his All-Star big man proved paramount in extinguishing New York’s three-year postseason drought, with April 5, 1988’s victory over the Philadelphia 76ers offering major help. An offensive dynamo throughout, Jackson loaded the box score with 21 points (on 9-of-17 shooting), five rebounds, 16 assists, and one 3-pointer, one of 39 double-doubles in his rookie campaign. As evidenced through his trophy case, the national media took considerable note, ultimately rewarding Jackson with both a near-unanimous Rookie of the Year finish, and a 13th-place finish in the year’s Most Valuable Player balloting. · Apr 5, 1988