Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. worthy of NBA All-Star nod

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is always a threat to score no matter where he gets the ball. The versatile Jackson can shoot from deep, impose his size in the post and can dunk forcefully with two hands off the dribble.

While Jackson certainly has the ability to impose his will, he relies on a different mentality for Grizzlies success with the ball in his hands.

“Just don’t force anything,” Jackson recently told Andscape. “Let it come to me normally. Get off the ball because it’ll come back. Don’t go through five dudes who are keying on me. Make sure I can get off a play in the system. That’s how I’m successful.”

Jackson also hopes he can successfully become an NBA All-Star again after not being selected for last year’s game.

Jackson isn’t one of the more popular faces of the NBA. He isn’t even viewed as the face of the Grizzlies, as popular two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant owns that distinction. Jackson does not have one of the NBA’s Top 15 selling jerseys, and when it came to determining the 2025 Western Conference All-Star starters, the seven-year NBA veteran finished 10th in fan balloting.

Even so, Jackson’s stats and the Grizzlies’ success so far suggest he should be named an NBA Western Conference All-Star reserve for a second time. This season, Jackson is averaging Grizzlies bests of 22.8 points, 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks per game, as well as 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 3-pointers made per game. The 25-year-old was also named the Western Conference Player of the Week last week after leading the Grizzlies (23-16) to a 4-0 record after averaging 25.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks during that stretch.

When asked if he wonders why he doesn’t receive more attention for his play, Jackson said: “[It] Probably comes to your mind a little bit. But all I know is that when I don’t think about it, it just comes.”

The awards that have come for Jackson: A 2023 NBA All-Star appearance and the 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. He was passed over for an All-Star appearance last season as the Grizzlies struggled for wins without due to a season-opening 25-game suspension for Morant and injuries. Helping Jackson’s All-Star case is that he’s leading a hot Grizzlies team currently in third place in the West.

Morant and guard Desmond Bane are also Grizzlies All-Star candidates. Morant, however, has campaigned for Jackson to be All-Star and also described him as “the franchise.” Votes from the NBA Western Conference head coaches will determine the seven West All-Star reserves.

“Think it’s no question,” Morant recently said to reporters about Jackson’s All-Star candidacy. “Any other time they base it off of seeding and all this. ‘This guy shouldn’t get it because of this guy.’ And now that s— goes out the window when it comes to us.

“Yeah, I’m pushing for him to be an All-Star. I think he absolutely deserves it. He’s been playing at an All-NBA level.”

Even with his stellar play, Jackson said the reason for the Grizzlies’ success was more about the team than him. He credited the Grizzlies’ offense, communication, coaching, focus and team chemistry. Jackson has also played in all but two games so far this season and credited weightlifting and mobility for that good fortune.

And based on Memphis’ success so far, if the franchise can finally stay healthy, Jackson believes it is a championship contender. Memphis is one of 10 NBA teams that has not won a title.

“Stay healthy and do what we’ve been doing,” said Jackson on the keys to challenging for a title. “That’s been the key a lot of years when we’ve had things happen, but we were always on the right track. We always had the right mentality, right stuff going on. So, it means everything.

“The city hasn’t seen nothing like that before. So, if you’re the ones to do it, then that’s great.”