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NBA Champion and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins loves to speak his mind. The longtime NBA vet is known for his colorful, off-the-cuff takes and loves skewering players.
This time, he took aim at Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. following the team’s humiliating blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their Western Conference Playoffs series, 131-80. And, he did not hold back.
The Grizzlies were playing on short rest after losing in the their first NBA Play-in Tournament game last Wednesday to the Warriors before beating the Mavericks on Friday to earn the eighth seed in the Western Conference. That set up the blowout loss on Sunday.
It’s hard for anyone to have played well in a game that is lost by 50, but Jaren Jackson Jr. was especially bad. The ultra-talented Jaren Jackson Jr. was especially bad. He was just 2-13 from the field for 4 points with just 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 0 blocks. For a guy that averaged 22.6 points in the regular season with elite defense, it was about as bad of a game as can be.
Now, the lack of rest compared to a well-rested Thunder team had a lot to do with all of that. But, he’s simply got to play better if the Grizzlies have any hope of winning even a game against the heavily-favored Thunder.
As it stands, Perkins is calling Jaren Jackson Jr. incredibly overrated. Take a look.
"[Jaren Jackson Jr.] is the most overhyped player in this league. He's not even a top 10 big in my eyes."@kendrickperkins wants to see more from the Grizzlies' All-Star in the playoffs 👀 pic.twitter.com/PVgBUuf89C
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 21, 2025
Jaren Jackson Jr. is certainly highly thought of around the league. In the most recent Bill Simmons Trade Value Column, he was ranked 12th in the entire league. When you’re in the company of what Simmons referred to as “The Untouchables” you’ve got to start playing better.
He will get his chance to do just that when the 25-year-old and his teammates take on the Thunder in Game 2 on Tuesday.