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Top 10 Things Memphis Grizzlies Fans Should Be Thankful For

By Christian Dudley

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 21: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 21, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 21: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 21, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies
Jaren Jackson Jr Memphis Grizzlies (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Choosing JJJ Over Bamba

In owning the fourth overall pick of the NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies had a lot of top prospects to sift through. Through 17 games, it certainly appears as if they selected the most bang for their buck.

It made most sense for the team to select a frontcourt player being as they have been dealing with a jammed backcourt. Ideally, the Grizz needed a guy that could step in and play immediately.

Mohamed Bamba, now a member of the Orlando Magic, did not have any interest in playing for the Memphis Grizzlies organization.

He, like a lot of other NBA players, probably was not fond of the small market size, and it is not a desirable beachy destination. Plus, with a 22-60 record in 2017-18, it would be hard to blame the young man for not wanting to come to Memphis.

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All turned out fine, though. Jaren Jackson Jr. was the choice and there are few rookies as impactful as the 19-year-old. Amongst all NBA rookies, JJJ ranks top-five in per-game averages in the categories of points (12.5), blocks (1.8), and steals (1.2) in addition to Player Efficiency Rating (14.0 PER).

“Triple-J” has now appeared in all 17 games for Memphis, including 15 starts alongside center Marc Gasol. For Mo Bamba, he has played in 18 games for Orlando, but he has yet to receiving the starting nod.

Bamba ranks top-five amongst rookies in rebounding (4.7) and field goal percentage (51%) but he is not nearly as prominent in the Magic’s plans as Jackson Jr. is with the Grizzlies.

Though it is very early in these two studs’ professional careers, Jackson Jr. is looking like the absolute future of Memphis. The franchise will be in excellent hands, assuming he remains healthy and well.

Once again, GM Chris Wallace deserves a lot of credit for making the decision of Jaren over Mo, though Mo was perhaps the popular pick at the time.

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