GG Jackson II started this season trying to find his way into a crowded wing rotation for the Memphis Grizzlies. With new arrivals like Cedric Coward, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper joining the already crowded wing rotation with players Vince Williams Jr., Jaylen Wells, and John Konchar, it made it easy for Jackson II to get lost in the shuffle.
During the first three months of the NBA season in October, November, and December, he only appeared in 15 games and averaged only 12.2 minutes per game in those contests. In limited action, he averaged 4.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game.
Seeing that he wasn’t getting enough real game reps with the Grizzlies, Jackson II willingly asked to be sent down to play with the Grizzlies’ G-League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. He played eight games with the Hustle. In those eight appearances, Jackson II was able to play with a confidence that he wasn’t able to tap into with the Grizzlies. He averaged 20.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 48.5% from the field.
GG Jackson has cemented himself in the Grizzlies' rotation
Once he returned to the Grizzlies full-time, he made sure that he would never have to set foot in Southaven, Mississippi, ever again.
After the turn of the new year, the Memphis Grizzlies were dealing with their usual batch of injuries, which allowed Jackson II to showcase his value to the coaching staff. In January, his minutes increased to 21.2 per game, while he averaged 10.9 points on 50.4% shooting from the field.
This was a moderate increase for Jackson II, as his time in the G League paid dividends, helping him regain his feel for the game. He would then have a greater opportunity to build on this improved level of play as the Grizzlies’ season transitioned from a play-in push into a full tank.
With the blockbuster trade-deadline deal that would send franchise cornerstone Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, along with role players Vince Williams Jr., John Konchar, and Jock Landale, it was clear that the Grizzlies would be throwing their hat in the NBA lottery sweepstakes this summer. Regardless of key players sporadically falling in and out of the lineup for the sake of the tank, Jackson II has been playing the best basketball of his career.
GG Jackson II has made the improvements Grizzlies fans hoped to see
Post-All-Star Break, he’s averaging 18.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game on an efficient 51.4% from the field. However, the kicker isn’t simply the numbers; it's how he’s getting them. During his rookie year, Jackson II was thrown into a similar situation, playing a large number of minutes on a tanking basketball team. He was able to take as many shots as he wanted and use as many dribbles as needed to get the shots he wanted, regardless of the game-clock situation.
However, this year, he’s moving like a completely different basketball player. He’s getting to his shots on limited dribbles, making quicker decisions with the ball, taking higher-percentage shots, and, most impressively, attacking the rim with reckless abandon.
In an article by Damicheal Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Jackson II attributed part of his eagerness to attack the rim more to a shift in mentality. A shift in mentality that was brought out by teammates Scottie Pippen Jr., Ja Morant, and Caldwell-Pope. His teammates constantly called him “soft” and urged him to be a more forceful offensive player. He’s definitely taking heed of their advice. According to the NBA tracking data, Jackson II is shooting a career-high 62.1% on field goal attempts of less than 10 feet.
Nightly, he’s making highlights of shifty moves to finish strong at the rim or simply dunking over defenders. Most recently, dunking on San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama in their last contest.
Jackson II is getting it done on both ends
Jackson has improved his game on offense, but he’s also made considerable strides on defense. Jackson’s activity on defense has improved as his role has increased in the latter part of the year. In the 22 games played since Feb. 1, he’s recorded a steal or a block in 17 of those contests. In the same article from Cole, he attributed his increased production to the defensive end.
“It started on the defensive end,” Jackson said. “I feel like taking that initiative and being physical on that end, why not transfer it to the other end. It’s always a lot of room to grow and I’m starting to see this area of my game take off a lot.”
A possible tell for the future
Jackson II's increased level of play on both ends of the floor is a good sign that he will have a place on this roster through the next phase of a hopeful, swift rebuild. Despite this being his third NBA season, he’s still the youngest player on the team at 21. His upside as a 6-9, athletic wing who can impact winning on both ends of the floor has his potential through the roof.
His talent has never been in question, but whether he has the intangibles needed to be a valuable piece of a championship puzzle. Many of those questions were raised due to doubts about his maturity. But he’s shown strides not only through his play but also through actions like willingly going down to the G League to work on his game.
Jackson’s current style of play is not only good for a bad basketball team but also transferable to a competitive one. If he continues this trend, he could find himself as the illustrious cornerstone starting small forward that the Memphis Grizzlies franchise has been coveting since the departure of Rudy Gay.