The highly anticipated Jaron Jackson Jr. finally played a career masterpiece this year, playing a career high of 78 games, averaging 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 blocks per game, although the efficiency of the offensive end is mediocre, but it is the league's top on the defensive end, and also helped the Grizzlies become one of the top defensive teams in the NBA. Among them, Jaren Jackson Jr.'s average of blocks per game, single-season blocks (177) and total blocks + steals (250) are all ranked first in the league.
Jalan Jackson Jr.'s defense and resistance and influence have made him into the final roster of defensive players of the year for the 2021-22 season, and will almost certainly be named to the first team of the year defensive list.
Although the performance and statistics of Jalan Jackson Jr. this season are quite close to the All-Star level, Jalan Jackson Jr. will still be the key X-factor for the Grizzlies' performance in the playoffs.
Jalan Jackson Jr. shot a career-low 41.5 percent from the field this season and a career-low 31.9 percent three-point shooting percentage, just higher than last season's brief appearances (11 games). Compared to the big leap forward on the defensive end, Jalan Jackson Jr. has not performed as expected on offense.
The Grizzlies' 56 wins this season, second best in the league, including Ja Morant's MVP-level performances, Desmond Bane's out-of-the-box, and the team's depth and Taylor Jenkins' coaching prowess are important factors, and Jaren Jackson Jr.'s defense is enough to require him to have the same level of progress on offense.
But in the playoffs, Jaren Jackson Jr.'s offensive efficiency will be magnified to examine.
Although Jaren Jackson Jr.'s efficiency and shooting percentage seem to be declining, at least his outside line can still threaten opponents, and among the long men who averaged more than 2 three-pointers per game this season, Jalan Jackson Jr. ranked fifth in shooting percentage, and just ahead of him is carl Anthony Downs, a star center for their playoff opponents, the Timberwolves.
When Jaren Jackson Jr. hits the outside, it helps the team open up space and gives him more offensive options, including cutting in or taking advantage of his stature to single. Jaren Jackson Jr. can choose to slip down to a good position to go to a low single, or go straight to the penalty area to stir. Unfortunately, Jaren Jackson Jr.'s cutting steps are not too flexible, mostly relying on explosive power to cope, so he must grasp every neutral stop and then optimize the choice of shots.
Jarren Jackson Jr.'s projections can also help teammates have more offensive space. When the Grizzlies put Jaron Jackson Jr. on the no. 5 squad, the team can put in another 4 forward and breakout combinations, and if Jalen Jackson Jr.'s outside level is less than 30%, opponents can block the cutting path in the penalty area, which is quite unfavorable for the Grizzlies to be good at Ja Morant's dribbling breakthrough mode.
And when Jalen Jackson Jr. can hit the outside, which forces opponents to distract themselves from watching him, the Grizzlies can use him and Ja Morant to play Pick & Pop. Jarren Jackson Jr.'s mobility and offensive means inside and out give the Grizzlies more options and tactics, which will also be the lifeblood of whether the Grizzlies can play well in the playoffs.
In addition to the outside line being a key factor in the playoffs, Jaren Jackson Jr.'s mixing in the box is also quite important, especially when he uses his left hand when cutting in or shooting, and the Grizzlies will need to give him enough opportunities to attack in the box to maintain the right offensive rhythm.
Jalan Jackson Jr. is marked by defense, and he's extremely versatile defensively, guarding the basket, stirring up hot pots, steals, defending defenders and the front line, and there are few things that Jaren Jackson Jr. can't do defensively.
It's just that Jaren Jackson Jr. has a little concern: fouls. Jaren Jackson Jr.'s foul problems began in the league, and while averaging 3.5 fouls per game was a career low, he had the second-highest total of fouls in the league this season. That could slightly affect Jaren Jackson Jr.'s playoff playoffs, both offensively and defensively.
It's something That Jalan Jackson Jr. and Taylor Jenkins have to figure out, especially how to control playing time when Jaren Jackson Jr. gets into foul trouble, and based on his defensive influence and one of the offensive fire nets, the Grizzlies can't keep him off the field for long.
The Grizzlies can't find any other player like Jaren Jackson Jr. who can influence the game on both ends of the game.
Jalan Jackson Jr. is enough to change the game with defensive skills alone, especially against a large number of fronts in the Upper West, when the key moments are dominated by star players, Jalan Jackson Jr.'s single defense will be the top priority, especially with the center,Grizzlies have the opportunity to meet Nikola Jokic, Carl-Anthony Downs and Rudy Gobert, Jalen Jackson Jr.'s defensive performance will determine the Grizzlies' chances of victory.
Jaren Jackson Jr. isn't just a defensive center, he can rotate and stare at defenders indefinitely, and he's always at a high defensive level. When you have a defensive player of this level in your squad, it makes the whole team a stronger defensive opportunity, whether it's positional warfare or offensive-defensive conversion defense.
Jaren Jackson Jr.'s offensive play will be one of the key factors in determining the Grizzlies' playoff results, he has enough offensive talent and talent in his own right, and in the second season of his career, he was the fourth 7-foot-long man in history to shoot more than 6 three-pointers per game in a single season, and the focus is on how he and his coach can find the right offensive rhythm and put him in the position of the best offensive weapon.
The Grizzlies don't need Jaren Jackson Jr. to score 25 points on the court, plus they're surrounded by scoring stars like Ja Morant, Desmond Bain and Brooks. Inside and out, Jaren Jackson Jr. must improve offensive efficiency to strengthen the Grizzlies' offensive system, grasping every shot, especially the Grizzlies often put on the big four in the decisive stage, and the application of this lineup in the playoffs will only be longer.
In the last three playoffs, we've seen the importance of DeAndre Ayton, Bam Adebayo and Pascal Siakam, who are both highly mobile in offense and defense, and have also helped teams reach championship games, where they will be important deciders in key moments that will determine the game.
Jaren Jackson Jr. also has the same influence and strength to help the team, but can they help the Grizzlies hit the championship game? The Grizzlies are currently the second-best team in the NBA, they have a top-notch roster and depth to handle any team, and they already have enough potential to challenge the championship.
If Jaren Jackson Jr.'s offensive ability is a little closer to his current defensive level and controls his foul troubles, the Grizzlies definitely have a pretty good chance of reaching the Western Conference Championship, or even the championship. Jalan Jackson Jr. is only 22 years old and has a lot of talent yet to be realized, but his mission for now is to be a key factor for the Grizzlies in the playoffs, leading the team to challenge the team's all-time results.