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NBA Champion calls out Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. ahead of preseason

By Mark Nilon

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 23: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter of the game during Game Four of the Western Conference First Round at Target Center on April 23, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Grizzlies 119-118 to tie the series 2-2. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 23: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter of the game during Game Four of the Western Conference First Round at Target Center on April 23, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Grizzlies 119-118 to tie the series 2-2. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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Though Ja Morant will indeed be permitted to participate in team practices and workouts over the next few months, the Memphis Grizzlies still will find themselves playing their first 25 games of the 2023-24 campaign sans their superstar guard while he faces his league-issued suspension.

During this period, many are eyeing recently extended Desmond Bane to fill in as the club’s go-to option and, in turn, take the step forward from being considered a rising stud to a bonafide star.

However, during a recent appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today, former big man and 2008 NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins went about and singled out Jaren Jackson Jr. as the player he believes needs to step up the most during Morant’s early season absence.

Kendrick Perkins calls out Jaren Jackson Jr. as Grizzlies player who must step up

"“I’m looking at Jaren Jackson Jr. and I’m like, hold on — Defensive Player of the Year last year, NBA All-Star. I’m looking at him to average around 22 or 25 [points] a night, going out there and getting about 10 to 12 boards and anchoring that defense and being the best player on that team till Ja Morant returns,” Perkins said."

https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1709653721276129681

As Perkins suggested, Jackson finds himself coming off the best season of his soon-to-be six-year career with the Grizzlies, as he posted stellar all-around averages of 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks on 50.6 percent shooting from the field and 35.5 percent shooting from deep.

During his segment, Perkins would also make the bold prediction that Memphis will end up finishing the regular season with a seed somewhere in the seven to ten range, thus forcing them to partake in the 2024 Play-In Tournament.

His reasoning: “The West is so stacked.”

Of course, the conference doesn’t seem to be all that much different than what it was last season when Taylor Jenkins helped guide the club to their second consecutive No. 2 seed finish, so the idea of the team falling outside of the top-six slots in the standings, even with Morant slated to miss the first third of the season, seems rather hard to believe.

Considering far more analysts out there, even those who also work for ESPN such as Ramona Shelburne, believe the Grizzlies could prove to be a legitimate title threat this coming year, it appears Perkins is one of the very few suggesting this.

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