Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr Developing New Class of ‘Unicorn’
By Ed Memphis
The Memphis Grizzlies may have found a future star in Jaren Jackson Jr. It’s still early but his career is off to a great start.
21 games into his career and Jaren Jackson Jr. is already serving teams family sized meals. On Friday night he served The Brooklyn Nets up a 36 point performance, with a side of eight rebounds, and two assists to wash it all down in a Memphis Grizzlies win.
With only 28 seconds left in the 4th quarter and Memphis is down 104-111, somehow this teenage kid brings us down from seven points to tie the game, all by himself.
After last night’s heroics, I can’t help but look back at last year and say it was all worth it already. This kid has already shown enough to justify the pick.
light. Related Story. An Early Look At Young Star Jaren Jackson Jr.
Kevin Garnett called our rookie the first ever “Kawhi BIG” and last night was another push for that claim. I’m gonna go as far as to say Jaren will eventually be the first player ever to get a 30 point triple-double with rebounds, blocks, while also making more than three shots from three-point range.
That is an example of a “Kawhi BIG” one that can defend a star from the perimeter to the rim with ease, block the shot, get the rebound, take it up the court on a one-man fast break and pull up from outside off the dribble to nail the three-point shot on a routine basis.
Kristaps Porzingis may be the closest due to his frame and length, though he doesn’t defend nearly as well as Jackson does on the perimeter.
Thon Maker has similar potential but has yet to develop to the degree Jackson already has, despite Thon being a couple of seasons more experienced.
Some may counter with Giannis Antetokounmpo but the Greek Freak is not quite the post defender Jackson is nor is he even close to the shooter the teenage rookie Jackson already is.
Giannis is a legit MVP candidate himself due to his versatility and outstanding defense so he is clearly the better player currently.
He’s a hybrid of both but with more size. He has the potential and a very good chance to become an MVP and Defensive Player of the Year andidate sometime in his career.
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That my folks is a preview of the rise of the #KawhiUnicorn, somewhere the Memphis Grizzlies General Manager — Chris Wallace — is smiling like Leonardo DiCaprio in the toast scene of The Great Gatsby movie.