NBA Champion puts Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. on notice

The Memphis Grizzlies may be fresh off clinching their second consecutive number-two seed finish in 2022-23, but expectations currently seem to be that the club is slated to get “worse” during their follow-up campaign.

Such a prediction is heavily influenced by the fact that guard Ja Morant will be suspended for the first 25 games of the season as a result of yet another firearm incident, though, considering the club’s impressive collection of talent outside of the 24-year-old, this assumption by no means is a shoo-in to become a reality.

According to former veteran center and 2008 NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins, the main objective for the Grizzlies during the guard’s absence should simply be to find a way to stay afloat within the tough Western Conference race, and, in his eyes, it all starts with the play and progression of stud big man, Jaren Jackson Jr.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is key to Grizzlies staying afloat without Ja Morant

“Now he has to climb into that 22 to 26 points per game, especially while Ja Morant is out. First time All-Star last year, Defensive Player of the Year. We know what he brings on the defensive side of things. Now offensively, getting into his bag, holding it down, the offense is going to be ran through him. We know he’s versatile when it comes to picking and popping,” Perkins said on an August 8 appearance on NBA on ESPN.

Aside from the accolades Perkins noted during his segment on NBA on ESPN, last season proved to be Jackson Jr.’s finest from throughout his five-year professional career, as he sported all-time highs in virtually every statistical category, boasting averages of 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and a league-leading 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from deep.

With Morant suspended and long-tenured wing Dillon Brooks now in Houston, based off last season’s productivity the Grizzlies come into 2023-24 with a combined average of 33.5 shot attempts per game up for grabs.

Though he has cracked the top three in said category just once during his NBA career, at least when it comes to the early stages of the upcoming season, Perkins believes Jackson must up his activity in the scoring department to make up for the club’s absentee superstar.

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