Count Los Angeles Clippers wing Paul George in as one of the proven NBA players who is buying into the potential of Memphis Grizzlies rookie GG Jackson.
On a recent episode of George’s “Podcast P” show, the nine-time all-star took time to praise Jackson
“I think he’s really good. He doesn’t get talked about enough for his rookie campaign,” George said of the 6-foot-9 Grizzlies wing.
“The light was a little dim in Memphis and he shed his light to kind of make a showcase that he’s here to stay in the NBA,” George later added.
Jackson didn’t get much playing time until injuries left Memphis without four of its five projected preseason starters and several key reserves. The minutes uptick started in January, and Jackson eventually joined the starting lineup. He averaged 14.6 points in 48 games played and was named as a member of the all-rookie second-team.
George, listed at 6-8, was one of the players Jackson was compared to due to similar size as big wings who are known as scorers. Jackson was thrust into game action on Jan. 12 against the Clippers after Desmond Bane suffered an ankle injury. Even though Jackson played only nine minutes, he spoke glowingly about sharing the floor with George and Kawhi Leonard.
Jackson finished that game with four points but went on to score at least 20 points in each of his next two games. He scored a season-high 44 points in his final game of the season against the Denver Nuggets.
“I think he’s just kind of complete,” George said. “A big wing that can score it at a high level. He rebounds, he defends, he’s super athletic.”
Before joining the starting lineup, Jackson notably broke a record previously held by Kobe Bryant on Feb. 8 when he scored 27 points off the bench and became the youngest player in NBA history to reach that total.
While George admitted he didn’t want to put Jackson in that company, Bryant’s name was one he mentioned when taking a look at Jackson’s rookie season.
“I don’t think he’s getting talked about enough when you put him under that light of guys that came into this league, been successful in this league to start their career off at that early of an age,” George said.
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