Jaren Jackson Jr.’s return will give the Memphis Grizzlies a top 5 front court

Memphis Grizzlies basketball has not been the same in 2021 without Jaren Jackson Jr. in the lineup. With a recovery that seems to keep being pushed back, it’s beginning to be hard to remember what this team looked like with him in the lineup.

That’s why I’m here.

Here to remind you that this will be an entirely different team with Jaren Jackson Jr. back in the lineup.

Each and every player on the roster has grown, giving this team entirely different strengths than they had a season ago. Players like Brandon Clarke, Xavier Tillman, and Kyle Anderson have stepped up in his absence, but the important changes have happened beyond these guys.

In fact, the shift to a smaller overall lineup has benefitted the Grizzlies in ways that nobody thought was possible before the season. Desmond Bane has established himself as one of the best rookies in the league and De’Anthony Melton continues to rapidly improve.

The Memphis Grizzlies have half of a front court right now

Most notably, Jonas Valanciunas has stepped up in a big way this year. We’ve seen great game after great game, highlighted by a 29-point, 20-rebound performance a couple of weeks ago.

He came to Memphis with expectations to be a solid starting center, but showed that he can be a star in the National Basketball Association. When Jackson Jr. returns, his production may decrease on the stat sheet, but he’ll be scarier than ever down low.

There are a handful of reasons why this duo will be great, but we’ll start on the defensive end.