The scoring abilities of Jaren Jackson of the Memphis Grizzlies will play a crucial role in them reaching the playoffs. Anchoring one of the best defenses in the league was Jackson’s biggest contribution to the Grizzlies being positioned to enter the playoffs as the second seed in the Western Conference. His scoring, however, could really determine the ceiling for this Memphis team.
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However, Jackson’s excellent performance is only slightly marred by the fact that he played 612 fewer minutes than Lopez, mainly due to an injury at the start of the season and occasional foul trouble. However, Jackson prioritized positional defending instead of making spectacular blocks to avoid committing cheap fouls. As a result, his playing time increased in the latter part of the season.
Jackson’s 6’10” frame, combined with his 6’10” wingspan, gives him an advantage over other prolific shot blockers. In addition, the Grizzlies have an impressive 17-6 record when Jackson scores at least 20 points this season. Of the three losses, most of them during Ja Morant’s suspension in March, Jackson’s offensive contribution was crucial in keeping Memphis at the top of the Western Conference. During the nine games Morant missed, Jackson averaged 22.7 points on 51.1% shooting.
Jaren Jackson recorded career-high points this season
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Jackson’s offensive game is still a work in progress, and he has been questioned about his potential so often that he now occasionally mocks the subject. To realize his potential as a scorer, as Jenkins suggested, Memphis must figure out how to optimize his skill set.
A few years ago, Jackson looked like he was going to become one of the NBA’s top scorers. He shot an impressive 39.4% from beyond the arc in the 2019-20 season, which was Morant’s debut year. However, Jackson missed most of the 2020-21 season due to a knee injury and struggled offensively last season. Despite being an all-defensive first-team selection, he shot just 41.5% from the floor and 31.9% from 3-point range.
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This season, Jackson has rebounded strongly, averaging a career-high 18.3 points per game, while also achieving a career-best true shooting percentage (60.8). Although his 3-point shooting was average (34.4%), Jackson relied more on his other offensive tools and took advantage of his rare combination of size and ball skills.