After finishing 2nd in the West with the league’s best record at home, the Grizzlies’ premature end to the season was more than disappointing. The season even ended with a “blowout” of 40 points (125-85) on the Lakers’ floor, during Game 6. An exit through the very small door in the first round of the playoffs which hurts. Paul George podcast guest, Jaren Jackson Jr. reversed this failure.
“I think this lesson in humility was the best thing for us” thus assures the “Defender of the Year”, on the elimination of the Grizzlies. “I think it’s going to make us a lot hungrier, like we were three years ago when there was no expectation for us. We took a lesson. We have to deal with the whole summer. Our season was over in May… It’s the best thing for us. We will have that head start. We will come back. We are going to be so hungry. We’re not going to worry about anything. We will remember this feeling probably until the playoffs, and we will get there..
Stay humble
If Jaren Jackson Jr. evokes a lesson in humility, it is because the Grizzlies have developed a rather negative image. From a carefree and refreshing formation, they slipped into an overconfident and provocative group, even downright disrespectful. We particularly remember Ja Morant who had explained don’t worry about western franchises. The trend was confirmed during the playoff series against the Lakers, when Dillon Brooks wanted to play provocation with LeBron James (38) on the field and in the media.
“It helped the Lakers find extra motivation and a lot more energy. They approached the matches with more desire. acknowledged Jaren Jackson Jr. “Yeah, LeBron is old but he kicked our asses, and he’s old… He’s the greatest player in the history of this sport. I hope we will have the chance to meet in the playoffs in the years to come, because I don’t know how long he still wants to play.”.
In any case, these provocations have no more to Zach Kleiman, the GM of the Grizzlies: “There have definitely been distractions created by ourselves over the course of the series and along the way. We’re going to take a different approach to that next season.” he said after the elimination of his players. Result ? He made it clear to Dillon Brooks, free of any contract, that he will not be retained by the franchise.
And now, the Ja Morant case?
When they are full and at 100% of their means, however, the Grizzlies are a very dangerous team, with a potentially bright future. They showed it well by finishing the last two seasons in second place in the Western Conference. But if Jaren Jackson Jr. hopes to see his team take a new step next season, there is still another rather important problem that comes into consideration: the Ja Morant case.
Because if the course of Memphis completely changed trajectory during the second part of the season, its “franchise player” has a lot to do with it.
Filmed for the second time with a weapon in the space of a few weeks, he risks a huge suspension from the NBA. A sanction that will be announced just after the NBA Finals, according to Adam Silver.
As a reminder, he had already been suspended for 8 games during his first skid. But, since he has reoffended, the league risks hitting hard. How long ? That’s one of the questions for the Grizzlies…
” It is my brother. No matter what, I’m sticking with my brother and I think that’s the lesson everyone should take from this story… Everyone can say what they want, but that doesn’t matter. ‘importance. It’s what your family, your brother thinks that counts. I am like this. It’s not a code, it’s my buddy, so I’m going to stick by his side. He’s going to start dominating in this league again, he’s going to start jumping over everyone again. He already knows that, you know, he works hard” concludes Jaren Jackson Jr, who will play him in the 2023 World Cup.
| Jaren Jackson, Jr. | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | SAME | 58 | 26 | 50.6 | 35.9 | 76.6 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 4.7 | 1.1 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 13.8 |
| 2019-20 | SAME | 57 | 29 | 46.9 | 39.4 | 74.7 | 1.0 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 1.4 | 4.1 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 17.4 |
| 2020-21 | SAME | 11 | 24 | 42.4 | 28.3 | 83.3 | 1.6 | 4.1 | 5.6 | 1.1 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 14.4 |
| 2021-22 | SAME | 78 | 27 | 41.5 | 31.9 | 82.3 | 1.5 | 4.3 | 5.8 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 16.3 |
| 2022-23 | SAME | 63 | 28 | 50.6 | 35.5 | 78.8 | 1.7 | 5.1 | 6.8 | 1.0 | 3.6 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 18.6 |
| Total | 267 | 27 | 46.6 | 35.2 | 79.0 | 1.4 | 4.1 | 5.5 | 1.1 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 16.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
