Are Jaren Jackson Jr.’s home run stats inflated?

As he has yet to play 70% of his team’s games this season (“only” 34 out of 50 games or 68%) Jaren Jackson Jr. is not yet eligible to appear in the various official NBA statistical rankings.

Then, inside The Grizzlies however, he will regain his status as the league’s leading blocker with 3.2 blocks per game, ahead of Nic Claxton (2.7) and Brook Lopez (2.5). However, two players ahead of him in total blocks: Nic Claxton’s 125, Brook Lopez’s 121 and Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 108.

Add to that his 1.0 interceptions per game, and you get Jaren Jackson Jr.’s average of 4.2 “backups” (interceptions + blocks) per game, just ahead of the league’s best, Nic Claxton’s 3.4. , and Anthony Davis.

It is inevitably combined with such raw statistics Memphis Has the most effective defense in the NBA (109.7 points per 100 possessions), and he Defense rating 103.5, “JJJ” is the legitimate favorite for the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year title.

In addition, some are beginning to question his defensive ability.

Twice as many blocks and interceptions at home!

On Saturday night, a user on the social networking site Reddit started arguing that, for example, Jaren Jackson Jr.’s defensive stats were inflated when he played at the FedEx Forum. Why? Maybe running for the DPOY trophy or even getting a financial advantage out of it (sports betting).

At home, the 23-year-old averages 1.4 tackles and 4.2 blocks, compared to “only” 0.7 tackles and 2.2 blocks away from home! A big difference, but he plays the same number of minutes per game (27) and put it behind the person responsible for listing the statistics in Tennessee (employed by the franchise, not by the NBA).

This is the beginning of the controversy that has caused some bookmakers “Defensive Player of the Year winner Jaren Jackson Jr.” it got to the NBA’s ears too soon anyway to withdraw their bets, and they had to shut it down. in a press release.

” In order to ensure the integrity of our statistical data, independent statisticians available on the site review all actions and all statistical decisions in real time, during matches. If changes are needed, they are made at the time or after the matches. In this case, all of the questionable moves in the publication recalling the Memphis games were consistently recorded in accordance with the rules established by the NBA stat book. »

A “fun” but mismanaged argument

For his part, Jaren Jackson Jr. was amused by all the hype after his team’s win over the Pacers last night. In the home run, he had 28 points and 8 rebounds… as well as 5 blocks and 1 steal.

” I found it quite entertaining. I really didn’t understand [cette polémique] at first, but I saw that in the end I got rid of it “, – the relevant person reacted at the press conference.

In effect, on Twitter, analyst Kirk Goldsberry, for example, set out to review Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 66 blocks (he has since increased to 71) at home, and he rated 60 correct, 3 to 5 questionable and 2 questionable considers. Suffice it to say, the Reddit user’s doubts were erased with the back of his hand… or rather, with a punch comparable to the slap that “JJJ” sent to his opponents’ shots.

A device and an obviously essential element to the Grizzlies’ success. ” He is one of the best defenders in the league, we are very lucky to have him on our team. “, announced coach Taylor Jenkins, who called the argument “ridiculous”.

Finally, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time there’s been a debate about players’ stats being inflated when they’re playing at home. So since the 1990s, it’s been John Stockton who has sometimes had to face such accusations from observers or peers (Chris Paul, etc.) because some of his assists were graciously provided by the Salt Palace statisticians at the time. Delta Center…

But before we argue, let’s also remember that it’s not unusual or surprising to see players being more productive when playing in front of their home crowd than when playing away from home. Individual award is at stake or not.