Jaren Jackson Jr. chooses to focus on the positives of the last year despite all of the obstacles the Memphis Grizzlies have faced since looking like a team destined to wreck the NBA.

He has been one of the few constants. Three of the projected starters alongside of him at the beginning of the season are out with injuries, and one, Steven Adams, was traded in February.

"I'm just feeling for them because those are my boys in every aspect, but it's still like a professional setting," Jackson said. "You're going to come in here and do what you got to do, compete and have fun doing it."

"I'm not going to act like I'm not having a blast every single night," he added. "I mean, how can I not? I'm getting a chance to expand my game. I have the brunt on me in terms of if things go well, I have the ball in my hands a lot. If things don't, I have the ball in my hands a lot. You got to wear that. Not everyone gets that opportunity."

The realignment has put Jackson in a position to be an even bigger leader, but that doesn’t mean Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart, all three sidelined by injuries, aren’t allowing their voices to be heard.

The three projected starters have still been active and around the team. During games, they’re among the most animated with their reactions.

"They could easily just say ‘forget it,’ and just chill, eat some popcorn and watch us go out there," Ziaire Williams said. "So they try to coach us up and be involved as much as possible.”

Coach Ja Morant

Jackson smirked as he thought about how Morant has kind of reconfigured himself as an extra coach while the star player recovers from season-ending shoulder surgery in January. Morant has had a whistle around his neck at practice and even wore the coach’s uniform during a previous road game.

To his teammates, it’s not a big adjustment seeing Morant in this role. As a point guard, he’s always been seen as an extended version of the coach on the floor.

“He’s been invested and full go coach mode, wearing their gear and everything," Luke Kennard said. "It’s good to see how involved they still are and how they want to stay locked in as much as they can.”

Desmond Bane leading by example

A picture of Bane could be put by the definition of hooper. He’s a player who is constantly in the gym and eager to step on the floor as soon as possible. He’s played through back and foot injuries in the past, but his Grade 3 ankle sprain will keep him sidelined for at least another three weeks.

Rookie GG Jackson pointed out Bane as the team’s leader, and that isn’t a surprise to those who have been following the Grizzlies closely. Bane is one of the team’s most vocal players and often offers up constructive criticism.

However, it’s another area of leadership where Bane stands out. Santi Aldama remembers during the summer he was drafted, Bane wouldn’t leave the gym.

"I believe in leading by example, and that's what he does," Aldama said. "Anytime I'm here, he's here. He's one of the most hardworking teammates I've had. That's huge for young guys and just being able to be in the gym with him is great for us."

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Referees, beware Marcus Smart

Smart knows the referees on a first-name basis. A lot of times when players are in the huddle trying to figure out their next move, Smart is hounding the referees about missed calls or something to watch.

When Smart's not in the referee's ear, he's on the bench talking a teammate that has just been subbed out of the game or relaying messages to thing he's noticing on the court.

"When you have guys that aren’t able to play right now but they’re really involved, speaking up in meetings, in practices, just shows a lot about who they are, how invested they are," Kennard said.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Ja Morant, other injured Grizzlies are staying involved with team