Memphis Grizzlies: Has Brandon Clarke become more valuable than Jaren Jackson?

The Memphis Grizzlies, fresh off an epic, 26-point come-from-behind win in Game 3, are feeling confident with a 2-1 series lead heading in to Game 4 on April 23.

A big reason the team has managed to cobble together a couple of wins despite poor play has been Brandon Clarke, the springy third-year forward out of Gonzaga.

His play has been so crucial and so important to the success of the Memphis Grizzlies in the playoffs that I have a Grizzlies hot take for you all we should discuss.

Brandon Clarke is more valuable than Jaren Jackson Jr. at least right now. And in the playoffs, it’s all about what you’ve done for me lately.

Has Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke become indispensable?

Clarke hasn’t just been outplaying Jaren Jackson, he’s been running laps around him. Heck, he’s come close to outplaying Timberwolves All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, too.

Through three games in this first-round series between Memphis and Minnesota, Clarke is averaging 15.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 1.3 SPG. He’s doing so in 25.7 minutes per game and an average of 71.6% shooting from the field.

Jackson, overall in this series, is averaging 11.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 1.0 SPG. He’s played a total of 72 minutes and recorded 14 total fouls. He’s shooting 35.3% from the field in three games against the Wolves.

While Clarke isn’t a three-point threat, he’s been incredibly efficient in the series, averaging a 20.4 PIE (player impact estimate). Jackson is averaging 8.2 PIE in the series vs the Timberwolves.

PIE, for the uninitiated, “measures a player’s overall statistical contribution against the total statistics in games they play in,” according to the NBA.

I like the PIE rating because, unlike PER (player efficiency rating), it accounts for negative impacts in a players game (i.e. fouls, turnovers). It gives a more complete picture of a player’s impact on the game.

In Game 3, Clarke scored a 30.1 PIE, second best in the entire game (trailing only Tyus Jones at 31.2 PIE). Jackson had a PIE of 11.5 in Game 3 for comparative purposes.

Jackson brings no value to the team if he continues to foul and stay on the bench for extended minutes. Yes, he had a seven-block outburst in Game 1, but the Grizzlies still lost. And, it seemed like he might have found his shooting stoke in Game 2 (4-7 3PT), but it quickly evaporated in Game 3.

Clarke has an incredibly high basketball IQ and knows when to gamble and when not to— it’s one of the reasons why his shooting percentages are so high. He knows exactly when he has a good look at the basket and when he doesn’t.

Clarke’s composure, high basketball IQ, and athleticism are a big reason why he’s been able to stay on the court for extended minutes. He’s playing smart and within his limits.

If Jackson hadn’t already been signed to a $100 million+ extension, you would think Clarke is the one deserving of such a haul.

And you better believe Clarke is going to be paid handsomely when the time comes for him to negotiate a contract extension this summer.