Ten. This is the total number of Memphis players currently in the infirmary. Among them, Jaren Jackson Jr. is one of the most recent injured. But without Ja Morant or Desmond Bane, the interior is the framework that has been most successful in avoiding the Tennessee infirmary this season. A little by will, and a lot of strength, “JJJ” has therefore become the main framework of Taylor Jenkins, around which the team assembles.
Already crucial to Memphis' success in recent seasons, the 24-year-old had to take on the mantle of leader. “ Jaren has handled all of these recent opportunities to grow brilliantly » welcomed the coach at The Athletic. “ We deliberately gave him more things, given where the roster is at. But when we saw what he was showing us in return… We wanted to know even more. »
No other position 5 available…
While Memphis already had to come to terms with the suspension of Ja Morant at the start of the season, and the integration of Marcus Smart in place of Dillon Brooks in the starting five, Taylor Jenkins also had to shift Jaren Jackson Jr. to the position 5 after a cascade of injuries fell on the face of the Grizzlies.
Brandon Clarke has yet to play this season, neither has Steven Adams and was sent to Houston, as was Xavier Tillman to Boston. Santi Aldama missed around ten matches, also due to injury. As for Bismack Biyombo, starter at the start of the season, he was cut to offer a contract to the revelation Vince Williams.
With no other alternative, “JJJ” had to evolve, on both sides of the field. His defensive stats have taken a hit, going from 3.0 to 1.5 blocks per match in a last line position, while he can come less to the second curtain in this role. ” It's a lot “ Jaren Jackson Jr. readily admits. “ You face really strong, very physical players. You have to work on rebounding (his average in the field, already not necessarily very high, fell from 6.8 to 5.4 takes)move more, do a whole bunch of things… »
Progress before finding a full group next season
“ And offensively, diversifying his attack placement between the interior and the periphery, bringing the ball up and developing our systems through him, these are more possibilities to make the decision for Jaren » deciphers his coach. “ He loves this challenge and this opportunity to progress. »
Since Desmond Bane's injury on January 12, Jaren Jackson Jr. has seen his number of possessions with the ball explode, in the 99th percentile of the entire NBA.
This logically does not translate into victories, with a 13th place in the West, due to lack of having the talent and experience to compete with the other teams. But it does offer some insight for next season, as Taylor Jenkins and the Grizzlies consider moving Jaren Jackson Jr. to full-time center in the future.
“ It will be one more room, and I will be more experienced on certain things, I will have other weapons in my possession… This will help us » assures the interior. It remains for him too to be able to find the field again. Hit in the quadriceps, he missed Memphis' last surprise victory over Milwaukee.
| Jaren Jackson, Jr. | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 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 |
| 2023-24 | SAME | 51 | 32 | 45.0 | 32.5 | 82.3 | 1.2 | 4.3 | 5.4 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 22.3 |
| Total | 318 | 28 | 46.3 | 34.7 | 79.7 | 1.4 | 4.2 | 5.5 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 17.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
