James impressed by Jackson: ‘Gotten better and better’
When GG Jackson was born in December 2004, Lebron James had already been playing in the NBA for more than a year.
But 19-and-a-half years later, when the Grizzlies and Lakers tipped off in Memphis Wednesday night, Jackson and James were matched up with each other. It was the oldest player in the NBA and the youngest player in the NBA, going at it.
“I wanted to try to crowd him, especially when he’s getting to drive,” Jackson said. “But I didn’t realize how quick his first step is. A lot of people say he doesn’t have much to his game. He really doesn’t need much to his game. When your first step is like that and you can pass the way he passes, I don’t want to say it’s unstoppable. But it takes a lot more than one person to stop him.”
James, 39, was at his vintage best in his first visit to Fedexforum this season, tallying a triple-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in the Lakers’ 136-124 win. Jackson scored 10 points to go with four rebounds and spent significant time guarding James.
“Ever since he’s been playing, he’s gotten better and better,” James said. “I had an opportunity to watch him a lot at Peach Jam a couple years ago, playing for team CP3 and I felt like he was one of the best players at Peach Jam that year.”
Jackson reclassified and graduated high school early, joining South Carolina as a 17-year-old before leaving after one season and getting drafted in the second round by the Grizzlies. James said he considered reclassifying when he was in high school, but said he wanted to go pro and not to college.
James also knows Jackson well and followed his career with the Gamecocks because Meechie Johnson Jr., who James calls his nephew, also plays for South Carolina.
James’ praise for Jackson is just the latest example of a star player with positive feedback for the Grizzlies’ emerging rookie. Both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard were impressed by his performance against the Bucks earlier this season, with Antetokounmpo calling Jackson an “extremely good player.”
“He’s gotten better and better every time he’s stepped out on the floor for this ball club,” James said. “And it’s good for him to get this experience early on in his career.”
James embraced Jackson postgame, and Jackson said, “I think I got a little bit taller” since the last time the two saw each other. But asked if they’d had any special interactions during the game, Jackson had a quick answer.
“Other than him hitting fadeaways and (messing) us up, not really,” Jackson said.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @thejonahdylan.