All-Star for the first time in his career last February, Jaren Jackson Jr. reached a huge milestone this season. In the discussion to win the trophy for best defender of the year, the strong winger of the Grizzlies has been proving for a month that he can also be a formidable attacker, with several outings at 30 points and more.
Best blocker in the league with an average of 3 blocks per game, Jackson Jr transforms the game of his team. Proof of his impact on defense, the difference between the Grizzlies without him, and with him. Before he started the season, the Grizzlies had the 20th defense in the league in terms of efficiency. After his debut, and as the regular season draws to a close, Memphis climbed to 3rd place, trailing only the Cavaliers and Celtics.
He counters one shot in ten!
Coming back to blocks, JJJ blocks on average 9.7% of opposing attempts, which is the 6th best mark in history since blocks became an official stat in 1973/1974. He also has one interception per game. Since the creation of the “Defensive Player of The Year” award, only three other players can boast of having achieved a season with an average of at least 3 blocks and 1 interception per game, while placing their team in the top 5 of best defenses in the league: Ben Wallace, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson! They had all won the trophy for best defender of the year.
If other players like Brook Lopez, Bam Adebayo or Evan Mobley are in the discussion, Jaren Jackson Jr. believes he deserves this trophy.
“I really think I’m the best defender of the year. I think I’ve created something unique and I really want this trophy.” says Jaren Jackson Jr.while his coach recalls that his strong winger “is good on both sides of the pitch” and “it’s phenomenal what he’s doing offensively to improve his defender of the year CV”
An attacking potential to be developed
Already considered an elite defender, Jackson Jr. has therefore taken a step forward with 18.6 points per game, which represents his best mark in his career. When it exceeds 20 points, the Grizzlies have a record of 17 wins for only 6 losses, or 74% wins. It was during Ja Morant’s suspension that JJJ really upped his game on offense with 22.7 points/m at more than 50% on shots. And after Morant’s return, he therefore maintained this course with several matches at 30 points and more.
“I really have the potential to be good offensively” explained Jaren Jackson Jr. after scoring 37 points in a March 22 win over the Rockets. “I think that by developing my potential, I can become a good striker. The potential is great, you just have to get there. Potentially, I will get there”.
In Memphis, Jaren Jackson Jr.’s offensive abilities don’t go unnoticed, and they’re essential to the team’s performance. Mobile and with a large wingspan, he takes a lot more shots inside, especially by playing on mismatches. And since he has a very correct outside shot, he can shine on the “pick-and-pop” and punish from afar. And when he’s wide, it frees up spaces for Ja Morant and his teammates who are drawn to the circle.
Now, he will have to confirm, and Dillon Brooks is there to motivate him, but also to warn him: “I tell him from the bubble that he can become one of the best players in the whole NBA if he takes his job seriously and if he has more desire in him. There is games where he takes over, but he has to be more demanding with the ball”.
| 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.
