This week's look around the NBA features a rising star in Memphis, structural change with the Los Angeles Lakers, the scuffling Dallas Mavericks, and rip-throughs gone wrong.
1. Jaren Jackson Jr. is everywhere
Jackson always loomed as the Memphis Grizzlies' wild card. If he became an All-Star-level player, the Grizzlies might build something special around Ja Morant, Jackson, Desmond Bane (developing into an All-Star type in his own right), and whatever surrounding talent they acquired.
Injuries short-circuited Jackson's second season just as he looked to be growing into a high-volume stretch big man -- capable of shooting off the catch, off the dribble, and on the move. Injuries vaporized Year 3. Jackson emerged as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate last season, but his shooting and one-on-one scoring wobbled.
After missing the opening month recovering from foot surgery, Jackson has exploded into this season like the Kool-Aid Man -- smashing every shot in his vicinity, covering inexplicable amounts of space, and posting career-best scoring and shooting numbers. If this is who Jackson is, the Grizzlies -- No. 1 in the West, on a seven-game winning streak -- can win the West. If he keeps improving, their long-term ceiling gets scary.
Jackson is becoming the NBA's ultimate "hearing footsteps" guy. He can be anywhere, anytime. If you're in one corner with the ball and you just saw him in the opposite corner, do not assume you are safe:
Scorers are going to start glancing around for Jackson even when he's not in the game.
Jackson led the league with 2.3 blocks per game last season. He's at 3.3 now. He's rejecting 4.8 shots per 36 minutes. Only five players have cracked the 5.0 mark; no one has done it since Jim McIlvaine in 1995-96. Opponents are shooting 43% at the rim with Jackson nearby. That is absurd. Some of those shots barely leave the shooter's hands before Jackson obliterates them.
He's not reckless, either. Jackson is so long and fast, he can get away with risking longer rotations than almost anyone. He times those rotations for the second ball-handlers turn their backs -- so they can't see Jackson coming and kick the ball to his guy.
He's nailing all the fundamentals:
That is gorgeous -- a subtle masterpiece. Jackson dictates terms against Saddiq Bey. He jabs forward, freezing Bey and fooling him into thinking the lob to Jalen Duren is open. When Bey looks there, Jackson floats backward -- smothering the passing lane. That emboldens Bey to try a layup. Nope.
Jackson can switch across all five positions, execute any scheme, and work next to very different big man partners -- like Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke. When Jackson, Clarke and Ziaire Williams are all on the floor, the combined speed and length is scary; opponents can barely see the rim amid all the whirring arms.
Fouling is still an issue; Jackson hacked his way out of the Grizzlies 41-point destruction of the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday night -- a statement win for Memphis.
Despite missing those 14 games, Jackson should absolutely be in the Defensive Player of the Year race if he stays healthy.
The Grizzlies should at least think about a minor deal to upgrade the back of their rotation. They showed last season their helter-skelter style translates to the playoffs better than some skeptics anticipated. The improvement already on record from Bane and Jackson should boost the Grizz half-court offense when postseason games slow down. They are ready now.