Memphis Grizzlies: Could Jaren Jackson Jr. be named a 2022 NBA All-Star Reserve?
The Memphis Grizzlies could have multiple All-Stars in a single season for the first time in franchise history if NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley and two-time NBA champion Kenny “The Jet” Smith have anything to say about it.
On a recent NBA on TNT post-game show, the legendary studio crew gave their picks of who they think should be named as a Western Conference All-Star Reserve.
Shaq, Ernie Johnson, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Charles Barkley all made their picks of who they think deserves a spot on the All-Star team. All four of them picked Devin Booker (Phoenix), Luka Doncic (Dallas), Rudy Gobert (Utah), Draymond Green (Golden State), Donovan Mitchell (Utah) and Chris Paul (Phoenix).
The seventh and final reserve spot up for grabs came down to two players for the analyst and former NBA legends.
Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. could be in-play for All-Star Reserve spot
Shaq and Ernie Johnson picked Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota) while Kenny and Chuck picked Jaren Jackson Jr. for the final spot on the All-Star team.
There was some hijinks at play at first, because Smith wrote down “Jared Jeffries” on his notepad instead of Jaren Jackson, but remembered his mistake. He invoked Jaren Jackson, Sr.’s name and his time his spent with the Georgetown Hoyas.
While the broadcast crew has no say in the decision-making process of who makes it on to the team, their insight is significant. These guys watch multiple games every week and have their fingers on the pulse of the players, front office, coaching staff and fans.
Chuck and Kenny think the Grizzlies should be rewarded for their success with a second player on the All-Star team and JJJ is more than deserving.
Shaq thought the final spot should go to the player having the better statistical season, Karl-Anthony Towns.
To break it down, here’s what the two players stats look like this season:
Karl-Anthony Towns: 24.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.1 spg
Jaren Jackson Jr.: 16.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.2 bpg, 1.0 spg
The Memphis Grizzlies have a .660 winning percentage, while the Timberwolves are at .500 through the first 50 games of the season.
It’s up to the NBA coaches now as to who will be named an all-star and who will not. The coaches get to make the selection of which NBA players are most-deserving of being on the roster for the game on Feb. 20, 2022.
We’ll find out Feb. 3 when the NBA reveals the 2022 NBA All-Star Reserves.