Grizzlies Storylines through 12 Games

Ja and Jaren’s Chemistry

The two franchise cornerstones, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr are expected to become one of the NBA’s dominant duos over the next few years. So far, the combination has produced mixed results. The two have an obvious friendship off the court, but the on-court production is still in the works. The trend should change as time goes on and the two grow together under the Grizzlies’ new system.

According to NBA.com’s pass tracking stats, Morant passes to Jackson the least of any starter, with Jackson only receiving about 13% of his passes. Only three of those netted assists for Morant. These numbers should increase. The on-court chemistry of these two should be a top priority of the team’s going forward.

The lack of production so far could be caused by multiple issues. Morant is still only ten games into his career. While he is a gifted playmaker, there’s still room for improvement. Jackson’s minutes have been affected by his high foul rate, causing the duo to miss potential time together. That may already be changing, as Jackson’s fouls have settled down over the past few games. Jackson has also had a tough time adjusting to the new system this season. Once he finds his footing, the duo will have to learn how to work against defenses homing in on them.

The other important factor in the duo’s development will be the pieces around them. The organization is committed to the rebuild, so roster turnover is inevitable. It’ll be up to the front office to put complementary pieces on the court with their young stars. The process is only just beginning, though. It’s going to take time, and the Grizzlies are perfectly fine with that.