For the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr., it is not all about setting sights on Rookie of the Year. The real focus is the postseason.
The Memphis Grizzlies hit it big when they selected Jaren Jackson Jr. with the fourth overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft. Only one other rookie peer — Luka Doncic — is having a bigger impact than the Michigan State product, and that much may not hold true for much longer.
Jackson Jr. is quickly becoming the Grizzlies’ most impactful player. His game has flourished since leaving the collegiate ranks and stepping into the professional spotlight. The basketball world is now seeing that his game is much more than the stifling defense he was known for while at MSU. He is the entire package.
The NBA has been blessed with consecutive star-riddled rookie classes. That is including the Philadelphia 76ers‘ Ben Simmons as part of last season’s rookie class rather than the 2016 NBA Draft group brought him into the league.
Outside of Simmons, the “Big Three” of the 2017-18 rookie crop consisted of Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. All three guys are setting themselves up to be a few of the faces of the NBA over the next 10+ years.
When taking a look at the 2018-19 rookie class, fans of the Memphis Grizzlies are realizing that their team finally hit it big on Draft Night. This has been a rarity for the Grizzlies’ Front Office. Talk about a sigh of relief to see Jaren Jackson Jr. display full All-Star potential on many occasions through 34 games.
The most unique aspect of the star rookie trio from last season is that all three guys played major roles in getting their clubs into the postseason. Then, they produced on the NBA’s biggest stage — the NBA Playoffs.
It was spectacular to see because most rookie crops do not feature the top names on top teams. They get minutes to grow and develop by getting handed the reigns in a “tanking” season. They have to play in order to learn (word to J.B. Bickerstaff).
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Jaren Jackson Jr. fits right in line with Simmons, Mitchell, and Tatum. His 13.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.9 steals on 51.2% shooting (34.1% from deep) are nearly identical to Jayson Tatum’s rookie-year production of 13.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game on 47.5% shooting (43.4% from outside).
The difference between the Grizzlies’ rookie and the Celtics’ young star is five minutes per game (Jaren on the lesser end), not to mention Jackson Jr. currently placed in a tie for 10th in total blocks in the entire association at 1.8 per contest.
For those wondering, the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. does not resemble the statistics of only Jayson Tatum. He is also very competitive wth Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell.
Simmons boasted averages of 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks on 54.5% shooting (0% from long-range), while Mitchell contributed 20.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 43.7% shooting (34% beyond the arc).
Simmons, Mitchell, and Tatum all progressively improved as the weeks and months moved along in their respective rookie campaigns. The exact same is expected of Jaren Jackson Jr. Thus far, this statement has held true as December comes to a close.
The only “rookie walls” Jackson Jr. has come into contact with are those of foul trouble and Grizzlies Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s minutes allotment. With time — and learning — one should resolve the other.
The Memphis Grizzlies should be be ecstatic about their budding star. He is posting the same or better stats than the aforementioned first-year trio from 2017-18.
While Jaren could be a better rebounder (and that could change with increased minutes), his blocking numbers are insane. He is an above-average shooter from long-range, and near the top of the league collectively when focusing on his shooting percentages. He absolutely is the real deal.
Memphis has cooled from October and November’s hot start to the 2018-19 season, but they are still in the thick of the marathon race to the postseason finish line.
Heading into their 35th game of the 82-game schedule, the Grizzlies rank ninth in the Western Conference with an 18-16 record. They are only 4.5 games out of the top seed in the West, and there is plenty of time to make a lot of noise on Beale Street.
As the Memphis Grizzlies prepare to face the Boston Celtics at home on Saturday evening, the focus will largely be placed on Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jayson Tatum, and for rightful reasons. They both are next in line to be leaders and representation of the National Basketball Association. Both players and their teams look to be mainstays in the NBA Playoffs for years to come.