As one of the NBA’s premier defensive stars, Jaren Jackson Jr. is more equipped than most to handle the dramatic rise of offensive talent across the NBA. However, according to the Grizzlies’ big man, not every scorer is built the same, and basketball legend Kevin Durant is one of the rare few who stands out above the rest.
“KD’s been doing this for a long time. He was my favorite player growing up,” said Jackson Jr. on The Old Man & The Three. “So just seeing everything he does is insane… That rim stuff is just boring for him… He’s just trying to have fun.”
Drafted 4th overall in 2018, Jaren Jackson Jr. has become a valued member of the Grizzlies’ core. In six years in the league, Jaren is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. He’s already an All-Star, a Defensive Player of the Year, and a 2x All-Defensive star. On the Grizzlies, he’s right behind Ja Morant as the young leader of the team, and their work together has put the Grizzlies on the map as a serious contender in the West.
Next season, back to full strength, Jaren Jackson hopes to lead the Grizzlies back to prosperity and compete for a championship once again. With the strength of their roster and their previous playoff experience, the Grizzlies are poised to make some noise next year… but the path to ultimate success ultimately goes through Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.
After 16 years in the NBA, Kevin Durant has become basketball royalty. With career averages of 27.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on 50.1% shooting, Durant is one of the defining players of modern NBA basketball and as long as he stays healthy next season, the Suns have a chance to claim the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Team owner/governor Mat Ishbia has sacrificed everything to give his team a chance to win the championship and despite last year’s disappointing first-round elimination, there is a strong belief that they will be among the major players in the West come October.
But even if Kevin Durant, 35, retires without another title run, his place in NBA history is already secure. As a 2x champion, former MVP, 14x All-Star, and 4x scoring leader, Durant’s resume is practically unmatched and he still has a chance to add more before the end of his two-year, $105 million contract.
In fact, with Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and a cast of veteran role-players, the odds are strong that Durant can lead the Suns to a better standing in the West and put them in a position to profit after spending all of their draft capital to build their current roster.
For Jaren Jackson, Ja Morant, and the Grizzlies, the margin for error is slim in the Conference and it will take everything going right for them to make a run to the NBA Finals next June. Besides Durant and the Suns, the challengers in the West include the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Needless to say, it will be a bloodbath in the Pacific this upcoming season and it could be one of the last chances for Durant to win another title and prove himself without Stephen Curry. Of course, if you ask Durant and his admirers (like JJJ), he’s got nothing left to prove after such an accomplished career in the NBA.
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