RealGM

boogiesdad wrote:This could be a "scary" good draft it these picks turn out. I think the Grizz need to create a strong player development program, as I feel we have not done any of our picks other than Conley justice over the years.

bobobolas10 wrote:guys, any insight about Jevon Carter? Ive read his strengths and weaknesses in some analyst page and looks like his best scenario in nba is to be a good backup PG. Will he make it to his second contract with the grizzs? I hope so

I guess he will have minutes since his competitors are Harrison and Chalmers. Not to mention that Conley will miss games. Moreover, we have played 2 PG at the same time in some stages of the game and actually, it worked somehow.

SD2042 wrote:To Harrison and Chalmers: I don't anticipate Chalmers returning to the fold. On Harrison, I think he has a non-guarantee option the Grizzlies have control over. Whether they will use the team option to retain or release Harrison is anyone's guess.

Next Big Thing

Let the record reflect that Jaren Jackson Jr. seemed a generally unpopular notion among hardcore Grizzlies fans in the run-up to the draft. The tone changed pretty quickly. the Grizzlies stayed put and took the youngest player in the lottery. All available tea leaves suggest they would have taken Jackson even earlier.

Upon closer inspection, Jackson’s personality and pedigree were persuasive. But also, Jackson made about a hundred threes in his Summer League debut in Utah and then blocked every shot in sight at the Las Vegas Summer League. Testimonials from neutral parties came pouring in, as recently as this week, when the annual NBA GM Survey put Jackson at No. 1 -- in a tie with top overall pick DeAndre Ayton -- in response to this question: Which rookie will be the best player in five years?

Jackson’s preseason debut and GM survey appearances both underscored the excitement over his future and serve as a reminder about how stuttering his present may be.

JJJ might have the most raw talent of any Grizzlies rookie since Pau Gasol. He is the very model of a modern major big man: Space the floor (horizontally and vertically) on one end, defend the whole of it at the other.

Jackson was the best all-around defensive prospect in this summer’s draft and projects as the rare big man who can -- eventually -- blow up pick-and-rolls, switch onto guards and wings, and swat shots at the rim.

The Rookie Curve: Jaren Jackson Jr. Can Bring the Grizzlies Back to the Future

Memphis is desperately looking to return to the postseason on the backs of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. Their top rookie could be the key to ensuring that they do.



The Memphis Grizzlies want to get back to the postseason after their seven-season playoff streak was broken by a 22-win campaign last season, but the team doesn’t have much elite talent around Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. They need Jackson to replace the production they used to get at power forward from Zach Randolph, who left the Grizzlies in free agency last season (and is more than twice as old as Jackson). The 18-year-old is a different type of big man than what Memphis is used to, but his skill set is exactly what the team needs on both sides of the ball.

Jackson’s skills immediately translated in eight games in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. He was second in blocks per game (3.5) among all summer league players, and he shot 14-of-28 (50 percent) from behind the NBA 3-point line.

He can score with his back to the basket, as well as face up and put the ball on the floor, but he’s a long way from putting it all together. He’s much better when he can play off guards who create shots for him.

Jackson is the rare rookie who already has the game to make a playoff contender better. Jackson and Gasol aren’t as good as Tim Duncan and David Robinson, but they could have a similar mentor-apprentice relationship.

It’s a lot of pressure to put on an 18-year-old. Jackson has the talent to handle it.

Jamaaliver wrote:

The Rookie Curve: Jaren Jackson Jr. Can Bring the Grizzlies Back to the Future

Memphis is desperately looking to return to the postseason on the backs of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. Their top rookie could be the key to ensuring that they do.



The Memphis Grizzlies want to get back to the postseason after their seven-season playoff streak was broken by a 22-win campaign last season, but the team doesn’t have much elite talent around Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. They need Jackson to replace the production they used to get at power forward from Zach Randolph, who left the Grizzlies in free agency last season (and is more than twice as old as Jackson). The 18-year-old is a different type of big man than what Memphis is used to, but his skill set is exactly what the team needs on both sides of the ball.

Jackson’s skills immediately translated in eight games in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. He was second in blocks per game (3.5) among all summer league players, and he shot 14-of-28 (50 percent) from behind the NBA 3-point line.

He can score with his back to the basket, as well as face up and put the ball on the floor, but he’s a long way from putting it all together. He’s much better when he can play off guards who create shots for him.

Jackson is the rare rookie who already has the game to make a playoff contender better. Jackson and Gasol aren’t as good as Tim Duncan and David Robinson, but they could have a similar mentor-apprentice relationship.

It’s a lot of pressure to put on an 18-year-old. Jackson has the talent to handle it.

The Ringer

What to Make of Best and Worst NBA Rookie Preseasons

Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies PF/C



Stats through five preseason games: 13.4 PPG, 1.4 APG, 66.7 percent FG, 55.6 percent 3PT

Initial response: Memphis Grizzlies made the right pick at No. 4

Jaren Jackson Jr. was expected to require time. He only turned 19 last month and averaged just 10.9 points per game through 764 NCAA minutes.

He's looked far more prepared, particularly offensively. And after his performance in summer league, this is another reassuring sign that the Grizzlies made the right call at No. 4.

The three-point shooting continues to be promising, though at this stage, it's pretty clear that Jackson will be a threat there (38-of 96-at Michigan State, 14-of-28 in July, 5-of-9 in the preseason). It's been even more impressive to watch him shake in the post and flip in righty and lefty one-handers with men against his back.

His game is expanding, which is scary exciting, given his age and his window to keep improving. Next up: The ability to attack, put the ball on the floor and make a move, an element of offense he flashed glimpses of with the Spartans.

Jackson should eventually become a defensive ace for his rim protection and switching. He'll just need a season to understand the NBA whistle.

Jaren Jackson Jr. Is the Most Complete Big Man of the 2018 NBA Draft

Jaren Jackson Jr. has a chance to be the best big man in the 2018 NBA draft. He’s certainly the best two-way player of the bunch right now, better defensively than Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley III and better offensively than Mohamed Bamba. Jackson fits the new prototype for NBA centers: He knocks down 3s, protects the rim, and defends the 3-point line. He won’t have to change his game to be an elite player at the next level.

Jackson is a new kind of defensive anchor. At 6-foot-11 and 242 pounds, his frame is right in the sweet spot between size and speed. He’s big enough to be a dominant presence inside without sacrificing his ability to guard on the perimeter. Jackson is the cornerstone of the no. 9 defense in the country as a freshman. He’s the only starter the team defends better with when he’s on the floor than when he’s off.

Bamba gets the Rudy Gobert comparisons, but Jackson is the more effective defender. [Jackson] actually blocks more shots per minute.

Jackson’s shooting ability will be even more important in the NBA. He is a perfect fit for the spread pick-and-roll, which almost every NBA team runs these days.

Jackson would have more room to operate as a center. He’s not just a spot-up shooter. He can put the ball on the floor and make straight-line drives when defenders press up on him.