Playoff Lessons Series: Jaren Jackson Jr.'s Playoff Revelations and the Evolution of a Prodigy

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s Stellar Ascent and the Lessons from a Grueling Playoff Journey.

Welcome to the first engaging installment of BrickMuse's Playoff Lessons, the quintessential series that offers profound insights into the invaluable lessons young stars acquire during the challenging postseason. Our focus today lands on a prodigious talent from the Memphis Grizzlies, the rising star that is Jaren Jackson Jr.

Don't let his young age of 23 fool you. Jackson's narrative reads like a seasoned player who's navigated a career full of ups and downs. He exploded onto the NBA scene as a defensive prodigy in 2018-19, experienced some setbacks, and then ascended again with marked offensive improvements, all while battling through injuries and doing his part in energizing one of the NBA's most vivacious squads.

Now, with five seasons under his belt, Jackson's promising trajectory shows him on the cusp of his prime. His sixth campaign is primed to be his crowning achievement, following what can only be termed as a stellar breakout season.

Last year, Jackson cemented his status as an NBA star. His remarkable season included his inaugural All-Star appearance, a prestigious spot in the club of 23-or-under Defensive Players of the Year – an honor he shares with the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Dwight Howard – and being named an All-Defensive First Team member for the second year running. With an impressive career-high of 18.6 points per game on 61.3 percent true shooting, Jackson's ascent means the Grizzlies are no longer a one-star team powered solely by Ja Morant. He, alongside Morant and Desmond Bane, form the triumvirate at the heart of the Grizzlies' mission to break the Western Conference deadlock.

Jackson's latest postseason run was a testament to his defensive prowess. He played an increased role, committing fewer fouls, and logged 37-plus minutes four times in the first-round games against the Los Angeles Lakers. His omnipresent defense stymied the Lakers' offensive efforts, regardless of whether it was LeBron James, Anthony Davis, or other Lakers' offensive assets. His defensive standoff with Davis was undoubtedly one of the most intriguing subplots of the playoffs.

But even in the face of Jackson's defensive genius, there were instances where his offensive brilliance stumbled. His true shooting slipped to 54.6 percent, and his two-point shooting percentage fell from 58.5 percent in the regular season to 49.3 percent. The Lakers returned the defensive favor, exploiting Jackson's vulnerabilities while exposing the areas of his game that require refinement. His impressive growth as a driver, face-up operator, and mismatch scorer last season revealed clear focal points for his ongoing development.

The series against the Lakers saw a flash of Jackson's offensive potential. In Game 1, he detonated for 31 points on 13-of-21 shooting, but as the series progressed, his offensive sparkle dimmed. Jackson averaged 18 points and recorded nine assists to 18 turnovers across six games. The Lakers exploited his limited playmaking vision and challenged his left hand as a post scorer.

Despite not traditionally carrying heavy playmaking responsibilities, Jackson needs to hone his facilitating skills if he aims to shoulder a larger burden and excel as an effective offensive conduit. His unique style complements Morant and Bane's perimeter play, and if he continues to grow, the Grizzlies' offense could reach new heights. The Lakers' decision to double-team him was a testament to his scoring prowess, a critique of his passing, and a statement of distrust toward his supporting cast.

During the regular season, Jackson's 4.8 percent assist rate placed him in the 14th percentile among big men, and his 0.22 assist-to-usage rate sat in the 2nd percentile, according to Cleaning The Glass. In the playoffs, these numbers improved to 6.8 percent (37th percentile) and 0.31 (13th percentile), respectively. However, translating his scoring gravity into passing opportunities remains a clear area for improvement, as evidenced by his five regular-season stats that have never surpassed the 34th percentile in either category.

This in-depth exploration into Jackson's playoff journey offers invaluable insights into the challenges and potential growth areas for this budding superstar. As he readies for the next season, these lessons will undoubtedly shape his game, helping him avoid previous pitfalls and further elevating his prowess on the court.