28 Days After Dennis Schroder and Co. Exposed ?Defensive Liability? Jaren Jackson Jr., Reigning DPOY Vows to Answer Fans? Prayers: ?It?s on My Mind?

The Memphis Grizzlies roster has to hold its own in the absence of their best player, Ja Morant. The point guard will miss the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season after getting suspended by the NBA for detrimental conduct to the league. Morant is expected to return on December 19 against the New Orleans Pelicans. Meanwhile, Memphis fans have a lot of expectations from their other superstars. They still have the reigning Defensive Player of The Year, Jaren Jackson Jr. in their squad who is ready to take his game to the next level this season.

Despite winning the DPOY trophy last season, the Center faced a lot of heat after his performance against Dennis Schroder and Co in the 2023 FIBA World Cup cost Team USA a medal. 28 days after being deemed a ?Defensive Liability?, Jaren has vowed to work on one important skill that will elevate his game and silence his critics.

Jaren Jackson Jr. vows to work on his weakness

Jaren Jackson Jr. faced a lot of criticism for his disappointing performance in this year?s FIBA World Cup. Being the reigning NBA DPOY, fans expected Jackson to be the defensive anchor for Team USA. Instead, Jackson proved to be a defensive liability, averaging only 8.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in the tournament. Germany exposed Jackson?s weakness in the World Cup Semi-Finals and limited him to only 8 points and 3 rebounds.

28 days after his embarrassing performance, Jaren has vowed to improve his rebounding skills this season. ?(Rebounding) needs to be more of a staple of things I think about all the time?It?s on my mind, it?s on my brain,? said the 6?11 Center.

Read More: Days After Refusing to ?Babysit? Ja Morant, Derrick Rose Gets Hailed?by?LeBron?James

Even though Jackson is a good scorer and a decent three-point shooter for his size, he lacks the dominance and defensive presence that Centers his size should have.

Jaren Jackson Jr. has the opportunity to shine this season

With Memphis missing its biggest superstar, Ja Morant, for the first 2 months of the season, Jaren Jackson Jr. has the opportunity to shine and prove the critics wrong. He can help the Grizzlies maintain a winning record in Morant?s absence and become the defensive anchor for the team. Jackson also needs to work on his weakness of constantly getting in foul trouble. His opponents have exposed Jackson?s weakness many times during his young NBA career and that has cost the Grizzlies a lot of matches.

If the Center wants to add his name to the list of elite Centers, he will have to work on these aspects of his game. Jackson will definitely get a lot of guidance from former DPOY Marcus Smart, who got traded to the Grizzlies this off-season. He is a veteran in this league and can help improve Jackson?s Defensive abilities.

Watch This Story: Ex-NBA Champ, Who Defended Ja Morant in Gun Controversy, Believes 2x All-Star Wouldn?t Need to ?Portray? Anymore With Marcus Smart?s Addition

Jaren Jackson Jr. is ready for his redemption season.