Team USA was favorite before they met Germans in the semi-finals. The 2023 FIFA World Cup defeat shocked all and sundry given the NBA stars in the American team. Amid din and debate, Jaren Jackson Jr is facing a lot of backlash. The star player was clearly instructed by head coach Steve Kerr to tone it down on the defensive end of the floor and yet it never helped.

And now, after the loss, Jackson is being used as the scapegoat for it all.

Jaren Jackson Jr. responds to criticism

Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. An aggressive paint protector, Jackson Jr. went on to defeat all the remaining candidates to be crowned DPOY.

But he was asked by the rival team?s head coach Steve Kerr to tone down his aggressiveness on defense. The reason he was asked to do so was to keep him out of foul trouble given how Team USA was short on big men.

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But now after the loss, Jackson Jr. is being called out for being a defensive liability. In an interview, Jackson was asked to give his views on the criticism he had to face for his rebounding. To that, the DPOY replied, ?It?s all good.?

That is when the other reporter brought up the fact that Jackson was called a ?defensive liability? in their loss to Germany. Jackson could not help but say, ?That?s tough, you know.?

Is Steve Kerr to blame or Jaren Jackson Jr.?

The disagreement between Jaren Jackson Jr. and head coach Steve Kerr happened weeks before they lost to Germany in the semi-finals. And now Jackson is being called out for being a liability on the defensive end of the floor.

If head coach Steve Kerr asked him to comply with his instructions and be less aggressive, many wonder, then how is Jackson being blamed for it? There is no doubt that the Memphis Grizzlies star can go out and do so much more.

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But, as fans argue, Jaren Jackson Jr. was held back by his coach?s instructions. And yet he is now being branded in a bad light. This is something, fans react, that just does not seem fair to the young star. But we would like to hear your thoughts on this. Do you think Jaren Jackson Jr. is to blame?