Why The NBA's Best Defender Doesn't Guard His Man

A breakdown of Jaren Jackson Jr's defensive versatility, rim protection and IQ that to me makes him the best defender in the NBA.
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[@behindthearcyt]

jjj definitely has legit case to win DPOY as soon as he came back from his injury he made the grizzlies the best defense in the league that should show how massive of a impact he has defensively and the fact he can legit guard 1-5 is just insane at his size

[@chardrive]

he also fouls out more than any of the other DPOY candidates

[@HalfCourtHoops]

Completely Agree.

[@behindthearcyt]

@@chardrive definitely has a fouling issue but he has that and still is one of the best defenders in the league and a main reason why the grizzlies have the 2nd best defense rating in the league

[@yankeesforlife24]

@@chardrive Rudy gobert Anthony Davis and draymond green all had comparable fouling rates early in their careers.

[@paduls]

between the fouls and the missed games, i know dude is going insane but the complete lack of consideration for Nic Claxton now is mind boggling to me. recent rankings didn't even have him in the top 3 let alone the top 10. Claxton plays every single game. Rob Williams being considered despite barely playing 20 games is insane to me. Since KD and Kai were traded they just disrespect Claxton now... Claxton rightfully deserves to be in the top 3.

[@SsjRedneck]

Love the detail you use when explaining why a player is good at defense especially with the clear example clips

[@HalfCourtHoops]

Appreciate it!

[@devvv4616]

It's so fun playing like this and focusing on anticipating the offense's next move. I think the biggest key is knowing where the 5 offensive players are. That way you can easily anticipate passing lanes and either get steals or get the ball handler to force up an awkward shot after seeing his lane blocked

[@tornadoenpuntog]

it is! defense is an art

[@samraizshoaib585]

Defence imo is the most fun part of the game to play.

[@vebbie0624]

@@samraizshoaib585 fax

[@georgekilla351]

Nice video

[@thydevdom]

His footwork and his ability to anticipate a smaller guards movement is always entertaining.

[@meto4837]

Amazing video. One thing I would recommend is separating it into chapters and introducing those chapters in the beginning. For example, “these are the 3 reasons why jjj is the best roaming defender: his ability to switch, his insane bball IQ, and his dominance both under the rim and against a defender up top” Then you can separate the clips and add sections to the video. The only reason I say this is because I felt it hard to follow along which skill you were talking about, felt as if it was jumping around a bit. But again, great content. Keep it up man

[@VinylUnboxings]

This is actually good advice.

[@trexagon4775]

Jjj is humble, funny, skilled, efficient i love his game and his personality

[@adityavarshney6690]

He's a patient defender, smart, and enjoys defense.

[@augusttierney3199]

This is an excellent break down. I’d still take AD or Giannis at the low post, but he looks in these clips to have more versatility at the wing/guard position. Definitely a worthy candidate for DPOY.

[@iceice4736]

Ad?🤣🤣🤣

[@TreDontPlay_]

@@iceice4736 Casual

[@yaahman74]

@@TreDontPlay_ i swear

[@iejaculatefire8958]

@@iceice4736 bro you don't know how good on D a healthy AD is

[@aljonlaurencevilla9996]

@@iceice4736 this casual is so dumb

[@youngslimee]

Fantastic video bro. I’ve always loved defending and the ins and outs and strategy of it

[@HalfCourtHoops]

If you want to support the channel: halfcourthoops.substack.com Article on Brook Lopez: theathletic.com/1976623/2020/08/14/cleansing-clearing-and-2-9-ing-how-the-bucks-brook-lopez-protects-the-paint/

[@vulapa]

He's got great lateral quickness which allows him to sag off without losing too much and still be able to close out if needed. Pretty elite defensive IQ!

[@serenityrio6891]

JJJ has really long arms and he is athletic too 2023 DPOY

[@blowebassman]

Evan Mobley is DPOY and it aint even close.

[@adot704]

his defense is so good they thought it was fake

[@julianharris3108]

We done seen big men faceplant when Curry hit that move… great video Defense is the most intricate part of the game

[@bw1183]

this is a fantastic analysis well done 👍👍

[@spencersteel7597]

Love this topic! When putting him on the weakest shooting perimeter player, who do they typically use against the opposing team's five? Also, I've been wondering if this strategy can be used by OKC with Chet Holmgren next year, not to hide him from fives, but to weaponize his "roaming" ability. Do you see a reason why he would not be in that same mold as JJJ in regard to this tactic?

[@jamesfletcher1493]

The 5 for the Grizzlies was Steven Adams but he's put with a sprained PCL right now. I was surprised he was not mentioned or in the footage Chet and Wembanyama would be best as 4s and roamers because they're not built up yet. You see this with the twin towers on the cavs with Mobley and JA, one of the best defenses this season. It's not a new concept though, Dirk and Tim Duncan were power forwards and TD's center was David Robinson

[@WhydTheyChangeOurNames]

Due to his roaming, he's never really NOT in a position to get back on the big man. He certainly doesn't hide from them as we may see OKC do with Chet due to their difference in build. What makes him a special case here over Chet or Wembanyama are his effort, activity, and probably most importantly his hip movement. Chet likes to block shots but doesn't show this kind of effort on defense nor moves around as much. Could they be taught this and work on it? Of course but JJJ also isn't a #1 or a typical #2 option on offense so he can use more energy on defense without hurting the team offensively.

[@silverfang4583]

Chet will play different defensively he doesn't have the bulk to play bigs the same way jjj does. But I feel like he will sag a decent amount due to having even better physical tools for shot blocking than jjj, and jjj has pretty long arms

[@hardliketissues7463]

Chet’s to small right now but with some size who knows. JJJ is built very well for it, strong as hell but not too big and he’s filled out his body.

[@steven8269]

chet will play like mobley as a 4 most likely, roam but not as physical as JJJ because he has better tools to blocks, taller and longer arms etc

[@jesseshaw4495]

Nice analysis and breakdown. 👍🏽

[@AtE1600]

It’s crazy that this 10 minute video was pretty much just talking about his defensive IQ. You didn’t even bring up his crazy athleticism or wingspan that allows him to be such a good shot blocker

[@steel2darq]

Bam Adebayo is thee most slept defensive player in the league

[@ale87211]

he single handily controls my fantasy week.

[@lawrencedavid8159]

We need a video on Jarred Vanderbilt ASAP bud

[@BurnoutDurb]

First! Also, JJJ's schematic brilliance reminds me a lot of KG.

[@HalfCourtHoops]

For sure. KG's mentality pushes him over the edge when comparing, but JJJ does similar stuff.

[@brianwang9975]

It's just help defense and knowing where to go

[@ryosaeba9306]

Following Golden State I saw a lot of Memphis as well last years. Not very good at reading the game but I like to learn, thanks for the breakdowns. I always thought of him: only 23 years old, tends to disappear sometimes, but if he was a sick psychopath like a lot of his colleagues, he would be in top whatever conversations and compared to elite names.

[@bobserling4812]

Wdym if he was a sick psychopath like his colleagues? Who is a sick psychopath

[@name028hfjsiwh2]

u havent seen the full of him he always seems to struggle against GSW

[@backyardmar]

Defense is and art of its own 💯💯

[@rodneychristian9834]

He doesn't guard any particular player because they play a zone defense. He IS an amazing defensive player. I wish the NBA would go back to man to man defense, referees call ALL of the carries, moving screens and clean up all of the walking violations. It would be a better game.

[@Dooby_Scoot]

He plays like he’s grinding defense badges.

[@Willy72070]

How do you get these clips? The nba app doesn’t let me screen record so you download them or something?

[@atakanmu]

great video

[@jmyuh8130]

grizzlies were the 30th ranked defense without him and 1 with him , dpoy shouldn’t even be up for debate

[@him2674]

i think clarke and tillman are really underrated as well, definitely not as skilled as JJJ but the hustle is there

[@eliyarrows2456]

At first I thought this was gonna be like what Rob Williams was last year for the Celtics but no they use him in a very different way

[@RickSanchezOnLSD]

You should become his agent 😜cuz you sold me on this one 😂 I want him on my team now

[@chardrive]

you accidentally uploaded the wrong pic for your thumbnail, that’s not Bam

[@HalfCourtHoops]

Lol, Bam breakdown & appreciation will be later on when I do my actual DPOY video from this season.

[@chardrive]

@@HalfCourtHoops 🙏

[@gamerd9271]

@@HalfCourtHoops I hope

[@AyeceVirtuoso]

And guess what he’s doing it without hand checking or being ultra aggressive 😂

[@kyleohara8700]

Yes, to everything you said.

[@tingkagol]

4:09 i swear that player has the most slippery hands

[@markquinn653]

As a defence heavy big in Europe I love no defensive 3 seconds

[@Guitarisforgrins]

OG Anunoby DPOY

[@IONTENNISTHAT]

As a help defender you should never win DPOY he don't hurt anyone on ball he can't stop draymond how tf he gonna be DPOY lol on ball he gets smoked

[@dereksimmons5877]

If Rob didn't have a bum knee he'd be DPOY last year and for the next 5.

[@imnotblindbutiloveblindfol8449]

Wouldn’t say the next 5 but definitely last year. I only say this because there are so many versatile big defenders. Jonathan Isaac pre injury is a prime example.

[@dereksimmons5877]

The man has throttled it way back. I really believe that his best 5 game stretch could have been his daily performance if he had great durability.

[@Chriseofficial1]

Just off the title i already knew the answer why. This might sound corny but if you play 2k (especially as an athletic big) u don’t need to guard your man, just roam around and get 8 blocks, 7 steals and so many contests a game. It’s hard to explain but if you play then u kow

[@andrewjones4774]

He’s the PF version of Jrue Holiday

[@RefRed_King]

he is avering 3.2 blocks on 27 minutes is insane

[@IONTENNISTHAT]

It's help D those aren't impressive giannis does the same thing

[@lowboy_lolo7284]

@@IONTENNISTHAT how is it not impressive because Giannis can do it. Also Giannis is only averaging 0.8 blocks so it’s not really comparable

[@IONTENNISTHAT]

@@lowboy_lolo7284 because you shouldn't leave your man to hunt blks jokic had a monster game last night while jackson was standing around some other guy not even guarding jokic how can you have a claim to DPOY when you not actually guarding anyone if he was that guy he should have been on jokic the whole game like smart does people and he always is foul trouble every game they didn't have him on jokic because he would get embarrassed and the nuggets did embarrass them last night jokic did whatever he wanted while JJJ watched it and yes that's because when giannis is on someone he is not leaving to go hunt a blk so his numbers are low he doesn't guard elite bigs either he helps like JJJ

[@name028hfjsiwh2]

@@IONTENNISTHAT did you read the title of this video??? Jaren is a ROAMER, go look at his team stats when he is on and off the court..

[@IONTENNISTHAT]

@@name028hfjsiwh2 playing help D should not qualify you for any award he leaves his assignment to hunt blocks and avg about 5 fouls a game and Steven adams is way more important than JJJ he actually guards his man anytime JJJ matches up with a big who matters he is useless jokic and gordon make him look useless and the whole team blew like a 20pt lead some defense without adams huh he is stat padding it's a poor example of defense

[@jdabelado716]

He should be on the roster for team USA to compete in FIBA World Cup

[@KDSRirelandboy1]

I mean, from a fans point of view, he's just playing how any defender SHOULD be playing. Switch to limit defensive stagnancy and also limit the potential threat of a drive or pop. Switching back to the drive once his switched player is out of the play to double the defense at the rim, just playing with that extra urgency and impressive length to make sure he's never a liability, and infact the complete opposite.

[@lv7601]

Bruh got cooked by jokic and embid miss me with dpoy nonsense

[@alexcoroza4518]

i guess Im too dumb. Why need this cleansing thing? I didnt know there is 3 second rule while your team is on defense. Anyways good vid, learned a lot

[@kenycee6ix]

So does OG.

[@nineflyerr3866]

Brook Lopez should win it. Anchors the best defense in the league

[@dt-lg2oc]

He has ganis

[@onlymemphis8100]

He’s not even the best defender on his team

[@imnotblindbutiloveblindfol8449]

The best defense this year has been the Cavs. I do agree that Lopez is one of the best paint protectors in the league this year though.

[@tj5180]

@@dt-lg2oc giannis isn't even the best defender on his whole team. Lopez is their defensive anchor

[@dt-lg2oc]

@@tj5180 sure but a big reason why they have the best defens is ganis

[@justsayin669]

He would be my frontrunner for DPOY if he hadn't missed quite as many games as he has, but I don't think an award should be given to a player that missed 20 games on the season.

[@andrewbridgers1642]

Gobert won in 2017 with 56 games played. Giannis won in 2019 with 63. Both very recent examples. And if you think his defense is significantly better than the next best defender (I personally do, plus he's got advanced and counting stats in the bag), then he's not yet missed enough games for that to be an unprecedented issue.

[@justsayin669]

@@andrewbridgers1642 Gobert shouldn't have won DPOY in 2017-18 and when Giannis won DPOY in 2019-20 having played 63 games, there were only 73 games that season so he only missed 10 games. Speaking of Giannis he could deservingly win DPOY again this year and Lopez has as good of a case as Jaren Jackson Jr. imo due to games played. I won't say that JJJ is out of the running for me, but he's already pretty much at his limit of amount of games that a player can miss while qualifying to potentially deserve an individual award. If he plays every game the rest of the year and maintains the same level of defense that he has played all year then I will be able to buy into him winning DPOY.

[@cavaleermountaineer3839]

Wow. He is playing INCREDIBLE all court defense. Young god is BALLIN. Gotta credit the HC for recognizing and maximizing the talent too.

[@zimbabwe_twinnedwithanfield]

Bend your knees stay on your tippie toes hands out always

[@policeluber6720]

U explain zone defense well jimmy

[@Iamarmanik]

Evan Mobley is defensive player of the year🤷🏽‍♀️ he 1st in contested 3s 3rd in contested shots 6th in Blocks and the Cavs have the best defense in the league and he plays more minutes than the other two candidates

[@name028hfjsiwh2]

btw the cavs defense was better with mobley off the floor

[@speedwagon6-e1b]

They credited this video to JJJ

[@ethanplays1860]

I feel like bam adabyo is a mini jjj

[@CJusteRalentiTV]

I SEE A LOT OF 3S VIOLATIONS THO

[@dangellohalo3051]

Great break down on how JJJ defends. He doesn't get enough credit, cause of his fouling problems. So thanks for this.

[@joa5669]

This guy will be scary that memphis grizzlies line up is so talented if ja morant dont fuck his career this duo will dominate hard the NBA cause JJJ is on Giannis steps first DPOY and then managed to be a scoring machine too if JJJ manage to be as offensive as Giannis with his deadly 3 points he will be unstoppobale he is probably the second best player of the best draft in recent years it was a steal from the grizzlies who drafted him in 4th while luka was the steal of the century after being drafted 3rd overall

[@courtofreels6253]

You called it lmao

[@kammo314]

I like Jackson but u literally can’t rely on this man to play more than 30 minutes a game he fouls way too much.

[@name028hfjsiwh2]

just not true, hes fouled out 3 times, Brook Lopez has fouled out 2 times, Bam 2 times, Claxton 2 times, Giannis 3 times, Mobley 2 times and Draymond 4 times for comparison

[@Talismanos]

he is not the best Defender....Giannis definately better

[@RealParadox85]

Idk what goes into DPoY anymore...Giannis got one and he doesn't guard his man, Marcus Smart has one and his defense is flopping. This award almost as broken as MVP.

[@dandyaniel5986]

grizzlies have almost everything if you think about it youth athleticism finishing 3pt and defense they only lack experience

[@charliesids7241]

looking like bo cruz in hustle xD

[@dylan-sv2dh]

Averages like 4 - 5 fouls a game tho.

[@adgee5401]

3.5

[@GhostD0G8]

That’s that Indiana basketball iq at work

[@andrewabraham5109]

can you do a Mitchell Robinson defensive breakdown since he always plays and the Knicks defense is top 10.

[@premium7182]

How I play D in 2k with my PF... 😂

[@kjjr6713]

That is not Evan Mobley I’m looking at.

[@anthonydion2749]

you spelt OG anunoby wrong.

[@robertflood3007]

This is where defensive IQ really comes into play. Too many people think it’s just locking up a player one on one. Exactly why Ricky Rubioand the jazz sent Westbrook packing in the first round after Westbrook decided to pickup Rubio 94 feet because Rubio got one of westbrooks precious triple doubles early in the series. You gotta be a smart team defender to be really effective.

[@Therealnumber.3]

It’s him or claxton getting dpoy

[@PrecisionAcc]

Funny title. You said NBA's best defender yet this video isn't about Marcus Smart? literally lmao dude

[@paduls]

Claxton betta

[@dogsCANwearhats]

LMAO nice one needed a chuckle

[@mindyourbuisness8104]

He will win DPOY but he's not the best defensive played in the league. What Giannis can do at both levels of the pick and roll puts him above everybody as a defender

[@spencers6749]

In my opinion the “nba’s best defender” should be able to play more than 27 min a game. How valuable is your defense if you get completely negated in playoff series because of foul trouble?

[@tristannutall2129]

Lol what does the playoffs have to do with a regular season award. And his impact in those minutes took a team from 25th to 1st in the nba. That make it way more impressive

[@spencers6749]

@@tristannutall2129 I’m just saying if you can’t play half the game when it counts that your defense isn’t that helpful to your team. The dpoy isn’t always super valuable in the playoffs, ex: Rudy gobert.

[@name028hfjsiwh2]

go look at grizzlies player minutes (Ja Morant plays 32.5 and Bane 31.2) its just how the grizzlies do rotations.

[@spencers6749]

@@name028hfjsiwh2 none of this even matters. No goat brandon clarke

[@samjerabek4861]

DAM>

[@steel2darq]

U mean BAM

[@nineflyerr3866]

Did even talk about how this guy only plays around 25 minutes because he fouls like crazy... liability in the playoffs

[@dt-lg2oc]

Yeah lmao and he calls him high iq

[@onlymemphis8100]

Ja only plays 31 minutes a game. That’s just how Taylor Jenkins does his rotations

[@name028hfjsiwh2]

@@onlymemphis8100 nah that would make too much sense

[@jangardini7909]

Rim protection is by far the most valueble defensive asset. Less important than it was dacedes ago, but still the most important skill

[@isaactesfaye9760]

Yes it is, it gets overlooked tho and very underappreciated

[@RaqMadeBino]

Bam???

[@mikhailsirotkin9128]

What kind of defensive IQ can we talk about if he regularly fouls out or has limited minutes?

[@andrewjones4774]

JJJ is the only grizzlies player I like

[@kouthao6156]

Now only if people analyze these right next to "90s defense" so they can realize how overrated 90s defense actually was especially IN comparison today's defense.

[@Is-there_a-ChristianGod]

This is not the best defender! This is simply smart play and tape watching with players tendencies aka scouting report

[@pimpnamedslickback7780]

He's not the best defender. I'd nic claxton over him anyday. Guy fouls out like crazy and has overinflated stats at home

[@name028hfjsiwh2]

jaren has fouled 3 times clax 2 times... and the stat stuff already been proven wrong

[@I.am_Groot]

As a younger man I wanted to be MJ who didn't big dunks and being able to take guys off the dribble at will. The older me would rather be a JJ type player long enough to disrupt plays that start to develop before I am close enough and to this day a blocked shot fires me up more than a made 3 even a logo 3 which is rare but once in a while I get one off lol

[@Don.McWigglesworth]

KD blocked him once or twice tonight

[@zipacino92]

He’s good but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s also a hack, he be picking up dumb fouls 😂

[@krazedhooskie]

Bro I have a hard time believing any of your analysis when you start of the conversation by saying jjj is a high iq defender like he doesn’t average 3.5 fouls a game and consistently fouled out of the playoffs last year. Granted everything else you said about him is true and then I had to stop when you called Kyle Anderson a non shooter. Bro he’s averaging 43% from 3 this year do some research.

[@Bi11ionAir]

This footage didnt make the case you were stating very well. He has long arms and big hands but his positioning was nothing special, or even superfluous, i.e. 3 defenders on 1 guy. He also fouls in the "block" at around 4:30 after positioning really poorly... They're playing a pretty clear 2-3 in a bunch of the clips and hes not even helping by being out of position, and his "man" - its a zone - is the only person in that zone so theres really no decision making there either.

[@Songos]

JJJr is not the best defender in the league are you joking man has a fouling issue.

[@name028hfjsiwh2]

hes fouled out 3 times, Brook Lopez has fouled out 2 times, Bam 2 times, Claxton 2 times, Giannis 3 times, Mobley 2 times and Draymond 4 times for comparison

[@bsq_2x70]

The title is funny cuz Lebron made his mark on defense by not guarding his matchups

[@strollas]

memphis scorekeeper: "exactly!"

[@picassojulien899]

I think being a roaming defender is better then being a one on one all ball defender. JJJ can do both.

[@nizzyno3284]

He got owned by AD

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

This generation's Ben "Shaq WHO?" Wallace.

[@npaternojr]

Talented defender but sure fouls out a lot. So does that make him a smart defender? 🤷🏽‍♂️ talented for sure