Grizzlies reporter sounds off on GG Jackson following suspension

This past Monday, news suddenly broke that Memphis Grizzlies rising star GG Jackson would be suspended for their bout against the New Orleans Pelicans for violating team rules.

The report came soon after the rookie himself had revealed that he had been fined by the organization on four separate occasions over the past several months, with rumblings of tardiness and things of that nature serving as a main reason for the financial punishments.

Registering in as the youngest player in the association (19 years and 49 days old), it shouldn't be all that surprising that Jackson has yet to fully mature into a professional both on and off the court. However, during a recent episode of Locked on Grizzlies, show host and beat reporter for the Commercial Appeal, Damichael Cole, noted the importance of professionalism in the NBA.

Grizzlies reporter sounds off on GG Jackson's professionalism

"When you think about things, the professionalism part of this, it's the little things. It's showing up on time, it's not missing key events, key functions, and things like that... It's being punctual and things like that. Those are things you want to see GG clean up."

- Damichael Cole

Despite the fact that his recent behind-the-scenes actions resulted in a suspension, Cole would make it clear that he doesn't believe it to be "a big concern" and that it's "not something you can expect to carry on for the large part of his career."

Even with these recent off-court troubles, on the floor Jackson has established himself as "the best-looking prospect" the Grizzlies have seen since taking Ja Morant second overall back in 2019 and, as a result, has gone on to earn himself a standard multi-year contract with the franchise, with three of the years being guaranteed.

Since becoming a staple within coach Taylor Jenkins' rotation back in mid-January, the second-round selection has produced like a first-round talent, posting impressive averages of 13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and just shy of a block per game while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from distance.

Fortunately, heading into Wednesday's contest against the Houston Rockets it appears Jackson will be active, thus suggesting the suspension was a mere one-off event.

Hopefully the same can now be said for the factors that pulled him from the rotation to begin with.