Jaren Jackson Jr. of rthe Memphis Grizzlies looks on in the game against the Orlando Magic at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, March 28, 2023. /CFP
Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies has been named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) for the 2022-23 season, the league announced on Monday night.
Jackson Jr. joined Dwight Howard, Kawhi Leonard and Alvin Robertson to become the fourth 23-year-old in league history to receive the award. Jackson is only a few months older than Howard when he won, which makes him the second-youngest DPOY in NBA history.
Jackson Jr. competed with Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks and Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers in this year's race. The Grizzles, the Bucks and the Cavaliers have the league's second-, fourth- and the best defensive ratings respectively. The difference is that, Lopez drops down to protect the paint as part of the Bucks' defense because they have Giannis Antetokounmpo to travel around for help defense; Mobley scans the court in the Cavaliers which count on Jarret Allen to protect the rim and the rebounds.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (#13) of the Memphis Grizzlies blocks a shot by Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference first-round playoffs at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, April 16, 2023. /CFP
By contrast, Jackson Jr. hasn't been pairing with another elite big man defender in the Grizzlies. While leading the NBA with three blocks per game, he is also able to switch to guard perimeter players. When Jackson was on the floor, the Grizzlies only allowed 106.6 points per 100 possessions. The opponents shot as low as 44 percent in the paint when he was the closest defender.
That's why Jackson Jr. received 56 of the 100 first-place votes and had 391 points in the DPOY competition. He credited the achievement to his teammates. "Team defense really helps us. It goes a long way," the young man said on the TNT broadcast that announced the award winner.
Of course, there are still things Jack Jr. could do better to further improve his own and the Grizzlies' defense. For example, he only averages 6.8 rebounds per games this season. His team grew more and more vulnerable in rebound protection since they lost Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke to injuries. The poor control of fouls has been a major problem for Jackson as well. He has played only 28.4 minutes per game but committed 3.6 personal fouls at the same time.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (#13) of the memphis Grizzlies guards Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks in the game at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, March 20, 2023. /CFP
No matter how good a defender Jackson Jr. is, he can't help the Grizzlies by sitting on the bench with too many fouls.
The Grizzlies finished the 2022-23 regular season with a 51-31 record and rank second in the Western Conference. They play the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs and lost Game 1 128-112 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 16.