Memphis Grizzlies: How Jarrett Jack Can Revitalize His Career In Memphis

If you haven’t kept up with him, Jarrett Jack is likely to be a player that has slipped your mind. A torn meniscus sidelined him after only playing two games with the Pelicans last season. Well, he tweeted saying he’s healed, which means time for some Jarrett Jack hot takes.

If you aren’t familiar with the 33-year old point guard, Jarrett Jack’s career averages are ideal for what a veteran backup point guard should produce. In 13 seasons with seven different teams, he averaged 11 points and 4.5 assists. Different stats mean different things to different people., so I won’t throw the ones I think are beneficial in your face. Instead, I’ll lay out the what Jarrett Jack can offer the Memphis Grizzlies, and you tell me if you think it’s a match.

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There’s one thing that Jarrett Jack has done consistently his entire career: be consistent. As a backup for Mike Conley, his strengths are catered to by letting him take control of the offense. Jack is at his best when he’s the one running the court. That may seem obvious, but the Memphis Grizzlies tend to have trouble finding that second-unit playmaker. If Jarrett Jack is on the court, he wants the ball and wants to score. THEN when he doesn’t score, he wants the team to score when he passes it to them. All in perfect point guard fashion.

Seriously, if you haven’t seen him play, or may not remember, he blossomed later in his career, excelling in his time with the Brooklyn Nets as the go-to playmaker in the backcourt alongside Deron Williams.

His role as an isolation scorer with a knack for passing is almost identical to Conley. A backup role for Jack also wouldn’t require as much defense – another plus towards why Jack would fit the system. Not to mention, he brings a certain “flash” and energy to the court.

Andrew Harrison started to show up in the playoffs, but not as a facilitator. Wade Baldwin’s future in the NBA is murky, but Jack is a proven guard with the flair that Memphis needs. Although this may seem like a golden opportunity for Jarrett Jack, we need to address the negatives.

Injuries

There might only be one negative, but it’s a big one. Injuries are THE worst thing about sports. Unfortunately, professional athletes are not robots, which means they are subject to torn meniscus, broken bones, amongst other injuries. Jarrett Jack is no different.

He wasn’t picked up for another contract after his “time” with the Pelicans, only adding more uncertainty for an injured veteran. The good thing is that there’s no reason to gamble. Yes, I can speculate about how Jack is the best option for the vacant role behind Conley, but truthfully, I haven’t seen Jack play since the injury.

It’s up to Chris Wallace and Robert Pera to give Jack the opportunity, but assuming he is back to full health, he has the chance to rejuvenate his career with the Grizzlies. They are towards the bottom of the league when it comes