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Memphis Grizzlies: Half-Season of Learning Under Marc Gasol Left Lasting Impression for Jaren Jackson Jr

By Christian Dudley

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 6: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies speaks to Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors during practice as part of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 6, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 6: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies speaks to Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors during practice as part of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 6, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jaren Jackson Jr. paid a surprise visit to Marc Gasol on Thursday. This short friendship has plenty of meaning behind it for the Memphis Grizzlies.

On Thursday, the Toronto Raptors were taking part their routine shootaround and media availability session one day before Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Oakland, California. That did not stop the Memphis Grizzlies‘ Jaren Jackson Jr. from stopping in to show his support and respect for his former veteran teammate Marc Gasol.

The NBA caught the special moment and shared it on their social media platforms, which rightfully caught the eyes — as well as the emotions — of Grizzlies fans.

It is a genuine friendship. This is a literal case of the rookie and the vet. It is also a changing of the guard in Memphis, Tennessee.

One year ago, the Memphis Grizzlies drafted Jaren Jackson Jr. with the fourth overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft. As he entered his rookie season in the NBA, Marc Gasol was preparing for his 11th season — all spent as a member of the Grizzlies organization.

It took until just the third game of the 2018-19 season for Jackson Jr. to assume the starting power forward position — right there alongside center Marc Gasol. It was a twin towers pairing, one that oozed of defensive prowess. Even though defense is one of the keys to Jaren’s high ranking in the NBA Draft, it was an area in which Marc was able to mentor the rook on this season. That is, until Gasol was traded to Toronto at February’s NBA Trade Deadline.

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Jaren Jackson Jr., standing at a height of 6’11,” is long and athletic. He entered the NBA fresh off a tremendous mark for blocked shots in his lone season at Michigan State. He totaled 106 blocks over the course of 35 games. What is most impressive is that he only logged 21.8 minutes per game. Yes, that is a 3.0 blocks per game average.

Still, within the high success rate of blocking shots was an issue with foul trouble. That is one of the factors in Jaren Jackson Jr. averaging under 22 minutes per game as a college freshman at MSU. Even in his rookie NBA season, fouling was something that held him back at times, even if it was one of the only things holding him back until the Memphis Grizzlies decided to sit him for the remainder of the season due to precautionary reasons.

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On the NBA platform, Jackson Jr. has become one of the best big men in the league at blocking shots. Through 58 regular season games played, he totaled 82 blocks. Remember, Jaren is only 19 years old and he is just getting started in the association. He is only scratching the surface of his full potential as a “unicorn” prototype of NBA player.

As Jaren Jackson Jr. has become frustrated at times with foul accumulation, it has been a blessing for him to be able to learn from an elite frontcourt defenseman in Marc Gasol. The rookie was able to practice against “Big Spain” as well as mull the veteran’s mind and gain advice.

Jaren has natural skill on the defensive side of the basketball, but Gasol was able help mold him into a player that could be a future Defensive Player of the Year candidate. After all, in the NBA, becoming a great player comes down to refinement of skills, especially on defense. That is a big reason why so much game film is watched by players in and out of the season.

Jackson Jr. averaged 3.8 fouls in 26.1 minutes per game in 2018-19, but he was able to examine ways to improve this aspect of his game as the season went on. For this, Marc Gasol certainly deserves some credit. Oftentimes you would see Marc pull Jaren to the side to explain things and provide short coaching sessions. He would be in the rookie’s ear, molding him in an attempt to prepare him as the next face of the Memphis Grizzlies’ franchise.

Fouling will be a huge topic for Jaren Jackson Jr. in his sophomore NBA season. The Grizzlies will be leaning on him heavily as he becomes the team’s leader in due time, and they will need his presence on the court for as many minutes as possible. Foul trouble will hurt his development as well as Memphis’ team record.

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Though Marc Gasol and Jaren Jackson Jr. were teammates for only approximately one-half of a season, the two became very close because of the willingness of a veteran to teach a rookie. It does not always work as well as this pairing did. Now, it makes a lot of sense to see why Jaren flew to Oakland to show support and appreciation to Marc prior to Game 4 of the NBA Finals. In Memphis, the torch has been passed from No. 33 to No. 13.

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