Author: Sharon Brown

Sharon Brown is a University of Memphis graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies with a concentration in Legal Studies. Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, Sharon is one of the Memphis Grizzlies beat writers for the Memphis Flyer. She has created a niche in the industry by co-founding All Heart in Hoop City — a unique community of women sportswriters.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Lakers Take Game 1 Over Grizzlies

Jaren Jackson, Jr. goes up for a layup in Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, April 16, 2023. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

After Sunday’s 128-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Memphis, the Grizzlies find themselves down 1-0 in the best-of-7 series. 

The Lakers won the battle on the boards and in second-chance scoring (22 points) and scored 26 points off of fast breaks. Los Angeles shot 27-of-40 from the field (.675) and 11-of-19 from 3-point range (.579) in the second half and outscored Memphis 69-47. 

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins on the reasons for the loss: “We didn’t execute the priorities of the game plan. Get back, execute half court defense and get rebounds.”

But he did have a positive message for his team after the disappointment. “I told the guys, ‘Hey, we talked about this before the playoffs started at the beginning of the week, it’s first to four. It’s one game at a time.’ We’ve shown a lot of resiliency in previous playoffs and throughout the season. We’ve just got to focus on that. Come out, just continue to put our work in each day. We did some good things tonight. We did some not so good things tonight. We’ve just got to clean it up, and we’ve just got to keep taking it one game at a time. Guys were in really good spirits. Obviously, disappointing. You’re definitely pissed off after a game when you take a loss to start off a series, but we’ve been in this position before. We’ve just got to focus on tomorrow’s day.”

More Injuries 

After landing hard on his right hand, Ja Morant missed the final five minutes of the game. It appeared that Morant landed on his wrist after colliding with Los Angeles’ Anthony Davis on a drive to the basket. The 23-year-old frantically hurried to the locker room as he grasped his right hand. He returned to the bench with his hand and wrist covered but did not return to the game.

Jenkins told reporters that X-rays for Morant’s hand were negative and that more evaluations would occur over the next two days before Game 2. However after the game, Morant acknowledged that his status for Game 2 might be in jeopardy and that his pain level was about a 10. 

“It’s tough, man,” Morant said somberly. “Especially with everything I’ve been through, pretty much this season. My main focus is to be out there for my guys. Now another incident where that’s pretty much in jeopardy. It’s pretty much how much I can tolerate. If I feel like I can go out there, be somewhat myself, I’ll probably play. But I don’t want to do anything to hurt the team. [It’s] very tough, stressful. I’m pretty much taking in what happened. I don’t know, man, I’m pretty much numb. Not even surprised. It’s one thing after another.”

The Unicorn

Jaren Jackson, Jr. had a good game. He put up a game-high 31 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.

“I thought he played extremely well, aggressive,” said Jenkins. “Obviously, they’re going to probably start throwing double-teams at him, so we’re kind of figuring that out. But I thought when he got to his spots on the floor, he found the angles to get separation, have a nice finishing game, obviously knocking down threes, free throws, doing what he does on the defensive side. I mean, he was huge for us. Just trying to find him different ways to be aggressive, whether it’s on the perimeter or on the inside. I thought he did a really good job tonight, and it’s going to be interesting to see what their game plan is and adjustments we’ve got to be ready for.”

 Shy’s Point of View

The team is not in panic mode. Desmond Bane said after the game, “We won Game 1 my rookie year, but last year we lost Game 1 in both series. We went on to win against Minnesota, of course. We’re obviously in good spirits. We felt like we played well; we could definitely play a whole lot better. We still felt like we had our chances; it’s definitely encouraging.” Bane ended the night with 22 points but shot just 6-of-18 from the floor and 3-of-10 from beyond the 3-point arc. He also added five rebounds and six assists.

Missing Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke in this series might be the difference between advancing and a first-round exit. But all is not lost. The series is not over. It has to be one game at a time. Nw the team has to put their focus on Game 2. 

A different storyline would be unfolding right now if Memphis had been able to execute better in the last minutes. If Morant can’t play, Tyus Jones will be up for the challenge to start in his place. Jackson, Jr. must remain dominant on both ends of the court. And Memphis needed more offense from Luke Kennard, who went 2 for 5 from the field and connected on just one three-pointer. 

Up Next 

The Grizzlies will have a chance to even the series on Wednesday inside of FedExForum at 6:30 pm CT. Fans can watch locally on Bally Sports Southeast or nationally on TNT. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Beat Milwaukee; Secure Second Seed in Western Conference

Jaren Jackson, Jr. goes up for a dunk against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 7, 2023. (Credit: Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

With their 137-114 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks Friday night, the Memphis Grizzlies clinched the West’s second seed for the second consecutive season. The Bucks sat key players, including former league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Despite shooting 65 percent in the first two quarters, the Grizzlies entered halftime trailing Milwaukee by a single point. However, Memphis outscored the Bucks 37-15 in the third quarter to pull ahead for good. The Grizzlies also had a season-high in assists, with 39.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 36 points, grabbed four boards, and made three blocks while shooting 12 of 18 from the field and 5 of 6 from beyond the arc to help the Grizzlies sweep the season series with the Bucks for the first time since the 2013-14 season.

The 12 to 13 connection is getting better right before our eyes.

Plus The Block Panther was on the prowl defensively. 

Luke Kennard finished with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting and made 5-of-7 from the 3-point line after being inserted into the starting lineup. As Kennard is getting more comfortable, it appears he may be the missing piece that the team has lacked. 

Desmond Bane put up 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. 

John Konchar had 13 points, seven rebounds, and a game-high five steals as a reserve. Jitty had a good game. 

Ja Morant added 12 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. “It’s very important,” Morant said after the game, about securing the second seed. “We’re a very good team at home, so we obviously want that home-court advantage. Definitely big time for us.”

While trying to contest a shot from former teammate Jae Crowder, Morant got his fingers caught in Crowder’s uniform and had to head to the locker room with a hand injury in the first quarter. He returned to the game in the second quarter with two fingers taped together on his right hand. 

And he did this with one hand …

Morant eventually told reporters he was good when asked about the injury.  

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said after the game it wasn’t a significant injury. “We shouldn’t have any concerns – they did X-rays in the first half,” Jenkins said. “He [Morant] obviously had a little collision there in front of our bench. The X-rays were negative. Our medical team cleared him to come back and then we were just precautionary in that second half. Ice it up and hopefully we are good to go.”

Up Next 

Regular season play for the Grizzlies will end on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 2:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, April 9th. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Home Win Caps Record-Setting Season

Ja Morant going up for a dunk between two defenders on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

In their FedExForum season finale on Tuesday, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 119-109, sealing the best home record in the NBA for the first time in franchise history. 

Memphis had a record 35 wins at home, the most by any NBA club since the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors went 36-5. The Grizzlies set a new benchmark for home victories and home winning percentage for the organization (.854). It is also the sixth 50-win season in team history, and the second in a row, with a record of 50-29 with three regular-season games remaining.

“They are not frequent throughout the NBA – not many teams get 50 (wins) in a season,” said Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins on the team’s back-to-back 50 win seasons. “Proud of our group – still got three more (games) to focus on, but anytime you can clip that 50-win mark, that’s pretty special.”

Desmond Bane led Memphis with 30 points, seven rebounds, and five assists 5-of-12 from beyond the arc.

Ja Morant tallied 23 points, nine assists, six rebounds and more highlight dunks to his resume. 

Luke Kennard chipped in 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals while shooting 6-of-10 from three.  

After the game, Kennard spoke about how he feels about playing alongside Bane and Morant. 

He said, “Me and [Desmond Bane] out there is just going to open it up for Ja [Morant] to do his thing. It’s my job to be out there and be ready to shoot because the ball is going to find me. There’s still some things we can clean up here and there. Trusting each other, trusting the pass, and making the right play. We’re confident in what each other can do, just continuing to gel together and me continuing to be with them more to continue to grow, and hopefully it helps us out in the long run.”

“It’s great — I feel the love from everybody in the crowd every time I touch the ball,” Kennard said about the “Luke” chants. “It’s definitely something that just makes me feel good being out there, knowing the crowd has faith in what I do and what I can bring. I just want to continue to grow here and give the fans what they want. It’s been really cool.”

Jaren Jackson, Jr. added 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists while 

David Roddy chipped in 16 points off the bench. 

Jenkins was emphatic about his belief that Jackson, Jr. should be Defensive Player of the Year. “He’s making improvements but you can see it when he’s on the floor. I’ve obviously been asked about the impact he’s made, his net rating is like number one in the league,” Jenkins said. “Defensive Player of the Year, it’s a no brainer, in my opinion. You see what we do when he’s on the floor and off the floor. His ability to be on the floor and be available for us and be that impact player and not just defensively but offensively. You see what he’s done offensively during this last month and a half. It’s powerful. But when he sets a tone as a Defensive Player of the Year guy and then can back it up with offensive play this is the special two-way player, we talk about all the time.”

Up Next

The Grizzlies head to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans tonight at 7 p.m. CT.  

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Bane, Kennard Help Grizzlies Storm Back to Victory

Desmond Bane going up for a layup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, March 31, 2023. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Friday night’s bad weather didn’t stop the Memphis Grizzlies from beating the Los Angeles Clippers, 108-94. The Grizzlies overcame a 20-point deficit in the first quarter to secure their 34th home victory of the season. 

The 14-point victory was the largest margin of victory in team history in a game where the Grizzlies trailed by 20 or more points, according to Sportradar.

“We kind of just settled down towards the end of the first. I just reminded them to just keep staying the course,” said Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins. “It’s a long game. We’re starting to feel out what this game is going to need from us. Then we battle back, have a great second quarter.”

Jenkins continued, “We take a lead and build a 20-point lead in the second half. Proud of the guys. It’s a 48-minute game, and we had these looks in our eyes like ‘Hey, what’s going on right now?’ in the first quarter. Luckily, we were able to turn the corner before it got too late.”

Desmond Bane was in his bag, scoring 22 points and tying a career-high nine assists, plus three steals to lead the Grizzlies to 49-28 on the season. 

Luke Kennard tallied 17 points and six rebounds off the bench while connecting on 5-of-10 from the 3-point line. 

Ja Morant praised Kennard’s shooting after the game. “He could shoot then [with the Clippers] and he can shoot now,” Morant said about Kennard as an opponent, and now a teammate. “He’s on our side now. We believe in him 100 percent.” Morant finished with 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists. 

Xavier Tillman Sr. had a solid 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Santi Aldama got 13 points and eight rebounds as a reserve. 

Surprising highlight dunk

David Roddy absolutely destroyed Ivica Zubac.

“That definitely surprised me, I say that respectfully,” said Jenkins on Roddy’s emphatic dunk. “I know he’s got some bounce, and he’s got some force, but that was a pretty epic dunk for sure. Once he gets a runway, you watch out.”

Tibits

Kenny Lofton, Jr. was named Kia G League Rookie of the Year. Lofton Jr. averaged 20.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals in 17 games during the regular season.

Jaren Jackson Jr. improved on his previous personal best in blocks, and set a franchise record in the process. The All-Star forward added three blocks in last night’s game to reach 180 and set a new franchise record for most blocks in a season, which he achieved last year with 177 in 78 games. This year, Jackson Jr. only needed 59 games to set the new mark. He leads the NBA with a career-high 3.1 blocks per game.  

Jackson Jr. also had nine points and two steals against the Clippers. “It’s cool – glad we could do it at home,” said Jackson Jr. on setting the single season franchise record in blocks. “Glad we could get a win; glad all my teammates signed the basketball, kept the jersey. I mean, it all fits. It’s a cool feeling.”

For the Grizzlies, unsung heroes emerged to give them a victory before a happy home crowd. For those fans, it was fitting to get revenge on the Clippers. 

Up Next 

The Grizzlies will travel to Chicago to play the Bulls at 2:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, April 2. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Set New Home Victory Mark Against Magic

Desmond Bane goes up for a layup against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

In the 113-108 victory over the Orlando Magic, the Memphis Grizzlies set a new franchise mark for most home victories in a single season (33-5) and improved to 48-27 on the season.

Desmond Bane led all scorers with 31 points, five assists, and three steals.

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins spoke about Bane’s improved play. “Obviously, he’s improved so much over the season with his decision making, his playmaking, his downhill attack,” Jenkins said. “He wasn’t getting it going from the three-point line early, but he knocked down a three in the second half, which was big, obviously free throws.

“There’s just a lot of trust that, with all the development he’s shown in the offseason, and this season, just our attention.”

Xavier Tillman Sr. posted a career-high 20 points and nine rebounds. “The way I play, the way I get my baskets, is all off creating for my teammates,” Tillman said after his career night. “I get a lot of my stuff off the pick-and-roll versus me ISOing and stuff like that. If I am aggressive, it is because you see guys throwing pocket passes, and they’re able to find me a lot of times. If I’m not scoring or whatever, it’s because the defense is doing a pretty good job of being active, so my teammates don’t really like that pocket all the time, but if you do see I’m aggressive, it’s because they’re able to find that tight pocket when I’m open.”

“Well, first off, we got the win – that constitutes a good game if we win, first and foremost,” said Tillman about his individual performance. “Then, secondly, for me individually, just doing my role to a T, if I get some offensive rebounds, I’m really proud of that. If I’m getting guys open on my screens, I’m really proud of that. Then, if I’m finishing like today, if I’m finishing those drop-off passes, that’s my teammates trusting me to make the play. If I’m finishing those, I’m really proud of that as well. So those three things are the main thing, as well as defense too, making sure that I’m guarding my matchup, and I’m limiting their tendencies and all that good stuff.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 16 points, 10 boards, and 3 blocks, and Luke Kennard added 16 points, 5 assists, and 5 boards off the bench. Dillon Brooks scored 13 points and provided 3 assists and 3 boards.

Up Next 

The Grizzlies will host the Los Angeles Clippers on the second night of a back-to-back tonight at 7 p.m. CT. Luke Kennard looks to get revenge on his former team. 

Ja Morant sat out against Orlando due to right thigh soreness, but is expected to be available tonight against the Clippers. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Morant, Bane Lift Grizzlies to Sixth-Straight Win

Ja Morant goes up for a layup against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, March 26, 2023. (Credit: Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

After coming off the bench in the first two games after serving an eight-game ban, Ja Morant was reinstated in the starting lineup against Atlanta Sunday night for the Grizzlies. He took advantage of the opportunity.

Morant put up 27 points, six assists, and three rebounds as Memphis defeated the Hawks 123-119, and clinched a top-4 seed and home court advantage in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. The Grizzlies previously clinched a playoff berth on Friday night with a win against the Houston Rockets.

Morant said he’s not quite himself just yet. “I’m getting there,” he said after the win. “I’m getting a lot more comfortable. Getting my legs under me a little bit. My staff is preparing me the right way, having me ready for games each and every night. I believe in them 100 percent in how they’re managing me and ramping me back up.”

Morant said he studied film while he was away from the team. He said, “Obviously I watched pretty much all the games – how they were moving the ball and playing no-point-five basketball, sharing the ball, being very unselfish and that’s one of the reasons I decided to come off the bench early on to get that feel of that playing style. 

Morant went on to say, “I feel like we [have] to keep continuing to play like that. We have a lot more guys that can contribute and be in rhythm playing with confidence and we’re tough to guard.” 

The 23-year-old said it was nice to hear the young fans cheer for him. However, he knows he has a responsibility as a role model to the younger generation. “I got to set better examples,” said the All-Star guard. “Mistakes I made in the past [are] not examples they need to see. It’s only right, I correct them and show them the right way. Having them still behind me brings joy to me, makes me happy.”

Morant didn’t have any issues in the opposing arena since he said it was home for him. He was born in Georgia and spent time there growing up. 

Morant also said he can’t wait to get back to Memphis in front of the home crowd in the playoffs. Like Dillon Brooks, he’s ready to hear, “Whoop That Trick,” the Grizzlies playoff rallying cry. 

The Grizzlies are now 47-27 on the season and hold the longest active winning streak in the NBA with six consecutive victories.

Desmond Bane added 25 points, five assists, three rebounds while going 11-of-18 from the field. 

Jaren Jackson, Jr. finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, five blocks and three steals in 34 minutes of play. 

After the game, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins had this to say about Jackson, Jr.’s defensive impact: 

Xavier Tillman, Sr. had an all-round complete game. In 30 minutes, he chipped in 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. Tillman has been doing an excellent job holding it down for the Grizzlies in the absence of Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke.

Luke Kennard scored 14 points while shooting four-of-nine from three and grabbed seven boards off the bench. As a reserve Tyus Jones had 13 points and five assists. 

Up Next 

The Grizzlies return to FedExForum for a three-game homestand starting Tuesday, March 28, against the Orlando Magic at 7 p.m. CT. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

It’s a Parade Inside My City, Yeah!!!

Ja Morant back on the court after a nine game absence against the Houston Rockets (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Grizzlies defeated the Houston Rockets at FedExForum Wednesday night, 130-125, and clinched their second consecutive Southwest Division title. Memphis improved to 45-27 on the season and have a league-leading 31-5 home record. 

The J&J Show

Jaren Jackson, Jr. put on a master-class on the offensive end with 37 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists while going 14-of-20 (70%) from the field plus two blocks and a steal.

The All-Star big man scored on his first 13 field goals inside the 3-point line and finished with 13-of-15 in the paint while tying his career-high in field goals made. 

“I’m taking what the defense has given me, definitely a lot right now,” Jackson, Jr. said after his dominant performance. “Being assertive and trying to abuse mismatches and just taking it upon myself to be dominant and not take a possession off.”

He went on to say, “Really just try every time to get what I want and get to my spots. It’s all about spots, for real. I’m learning that more and more each game, it’s about spots because spots become more and more repetitive each game and trying to get to certain places on the floor where I can really be successful.”

“I definitely have the potential to be good,” Jackson, Jr. added. “I think just growing into the potential that I have is great; you got to just get there. Potentially I will.”

Ja Morant was back on the floor for the first time since his 8-game suspension. The All-Star point guard came off the bench for the first time in his career and received a standing ovation from the crowd. 

“It meant a lot, man,” said Morant. “Obviously, I’m thankful and grateful for everybody who’s been supporting me during this time. It definitely helped me a lot, definitely made me feel a little better. Eased everything that was going on. Felt good to be back. Super excited. Glad we [were] able to get the win.”

As far as coming off the bench, it was essentially Morant’s idea. “I didn’t want to come back and mess any of that chemistry up,” the All-Star guard said. “Obviously, I was watching film once my time was getting closer to being back, watching how they was playing. Obviously, it’s different from watching and actually being out there. So getting back into the flow, getting back into the offense. Also getting back comfortable with everything. My mental is very important to me, and that was one of the reasons why.”

The 23-year-old said he had to calm his nerves before the game. “Before the game, I did some meditation to basically just ease the nerves, the emotions I was feeling coming back,” he said. “It was a lot, but it kind of helped me, and then once I got out there on the court, just seeing how the fans reacted to me being back definitely helped me a lot. Made me feel good inside, and I can’t put it into words. Thank you everybody.”

He also made clear he’s prioritizing his mental health. He emphasized his counseling will be an ongoing process. 

Morant closed out the game with 17 points, five assists, four rebounds, two steals and a block. The Murray State alum says he got a second chance and I believe he’s going to make the best of it. 

Up Next

The Grizzlies and Rockets will do it again on Friday, March 24th, for the final matchup of the season. Memphis looks to take the season series 4-0. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports Uncategorized

Grizzlies Down Warriors, 133-119

Jaren Jackson, Jr. drives to the basket on Saturday, March 18, 2023 against the Golden State Warriors (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

On the second night of a back-to-back, the Memphis Grizzlies were back at home against their most hated rival, the Golden State Warriors. 

The Grizzlies controlled the game in the first half, but Golden State came roaring back and put up 41 points in the third quarter to cut the lead to single digits. However, Memphis held the Warriors to 19 points on 7-of-21 shooting (1-8 3P) in the fourth period, and scored 29 points of their own to beat the Warriors 133-119. 

The Grizzlies have won five of their last six games, and have a best-in-the-NBA home winning percentage (.853) after improving to 29-5 at FedExForum this season. Memphis also tied its season high with its eighth consecutive home victory.

With their eleventh consecutive road loss, Golden State dropped back to 7-29 on the road this season. The Warriors have not won a road game since January 27th. 

The Block Panther Game 

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies, tying his season high with 31 points by going 12-of-22 from the field, with seven boards, four blocks, and three assists. 

Jackson Jr. has scored 25+ points in three consecutive games, the longest such streak of his career.

“My teammates are requiring a lot out of me offensively” Jackson, Jr. said on balancing offensive assertiveness and efficiency. “They want me to view the mismatches and find different opportunities for me to score, especially when I have someone smaller than me, but even when I have somebody slower. I have to do both.”

Jackson, Jr. went on to say, “So, when I’m getting that many attempts, especially in the right spots, it’s really just about the spots I’m getting. If I can get in a better spot, higher chances of going in rather than trying to force it when doubles come, trying to find guys to review the double team rather than just go head-to-head without looking. You know, it all helps.”

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said,  “I thought Jaren [Jackson Jr.] played a great game tonight. I thought he was aggressive, he was scoring in the lane, knocked down a few threes as well, but he had it going tonight for sure.” 

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins spoke about Jackson Jr’s improved offensive game. “It’s been a huge growth area for him, for us as a team, for me,” Jenkins said. “It’s all the above. It’s the work he’s been putting in when it comes to post-ISO situations, the reads he’s making off of drives, whether that’s on a go-and-catch, coming off a pick-and-roll situation.” 

“I think what it really comes down to is finding the times to assert himself when it’s in the flow of offense and when we make a call for you, Jenkins added. “He’s finding a lot of success. He’s making angles, he’s making efficient moves to get to the rim. Tonight, a great example of kick-outs and dump-offs for three assists.”

Jenkins concluded, “Huge growth area for him. Just being efficient, as you said, but it’s just within the flow of the offense and when we make play calls for him. Just allowing him to be the decision maker. We know what he does defensively, but when he can give you that production inside out, from the free throw line, some playmaking on top of that, that’s huge for us.”

Jackson Jr. knows he’s a walking mismatch every game. “I feel like that every night, but you have to control it,” said the 23-year-old. “You have to do it in the right form, and if you if you just think like that and you just start jacking it, it just doesn’t look as good. I feel like that, but I’m really just reading how the games go.”

The All-Defensive forward has what it takes to be elite both offensively and defensively, but he has to have balance. “You just got to have the legs to be able to do both,” the All-Star big man said after the game. “So a lot of endurance is needed for that kind of activity. I’m not just doing one thing. So, it’s just about getting enough rest and having your legs. That helps because I know I have enough strength to get it done.”

The Dillon Brooks Effect 

Stephen Curry was limited to 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting, snapping a 17-game streak of scoring 20+ points. Curry was too not thrilled about being asked about his matchup against Brooks. Curry said, “We played the whole Memphis Grizzlies, not just him. That’s my thoughts.”

After the game, Brooks spoke about his plan for guarding Curry. He said, “Just being obsessed about him. Just watching film. Just understanding his whole game, the whole game plan. I love playing against him. He’s a competitor. I don’t think he likes the way I operate, but it’s working, so he’s going to have to figure out how to score on me. But, like I told everybody else, with a guy like him, he’s been doing it for so many years, seen so many defenses, so many coverages that you got to finally do something different. His desire to be the greatest shooter in the NBA, on this Earth, is the same desire that I want to guard him every single night.”

Jenkins had one word to describe Brooks after the game. “Spirited,”said Jenkins. “He’s got great spirit. He’s got great energy. I always say he’s an ultimate competitor. He embodies so many things you want out of a basketball player every single night, just how he lays it on the line. He leads by example, leads on the floor, leads off the floor with his voice. I could probably elaborate more, but you said, ‘How would I describe it?’ I can give you the one word: it’s very spirited.”

Jenkins also said he believes Brooks should be on the NBA All-Defensive team this season. He said, “The numbers don’t lie. The film doesn’t lie, so I think it’s a no-brainer that he should be an All-Defensive player.”

“This is elite level intensity, and he’s a master at it honestly,” Jackson, Jr. said of Brooks’ intensity. “Being able to have that level of intensity and still being able to lock in and have a calm approach to still get stuff done. You can’t just be erratic all the time, so there is a method to his madness for sure.”

Brooks added 18 points, shooting 7-of-10 from the field and 4-of-4 from 3-point range.

The Grizzlies need this version of Brooks going forward. 

Up Next

The second game of a four-game homestand continues when the Dallas Mavericks come to town on Monday night with possibly both Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic available. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Roddy ‘Big Bodied’ the Dallas Mavericks

David Roddy against the Dallas Mavericks on March 11, 2023. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies, in desperate need of a late-game boost, found it in rookie David Roddy. 

Roddy scored 17 points (7-8 FG, 3-4 3P) in the final period as the Grizzlies knocked off the Dallas Mavericks, 112-108 Saturday night, at FedExForum. The rookie finished with a career-high 24 points off the bench. 

With the win, Memphis improved to 40-26 on the season and maintained the league’s second-best home record this season at 28-5. 

“I think the biggest thing is he’s got ultimate confidence,” Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said of Roddy’s performance. “It’s channeled in the right way, in my opinion, in that he’s hard on himself, he’s been learning since summer league, early in the season, as I mentioned, G league opportunities.” 

Jenkins continued, “He’s got this great poise about him as a rookie. You see how hard he plays, how competitive he is. He misses a shot, he kind of beats himself up real quick and then he immediately gets to the next play. That’s tons of credit, for a guy to kind of have that next play mentality.” 

“When you’re playing that hard and you’re playing the right way, the ball finds you, and you get rewarded for it, and he made the plays down the stretch,” Jenkins added. “We were switching a lot, and I thought he did a really good job on the ball with his on-ball defense, keeping guys in front, but his confidence is channeled in a really good way to stay prepared for moments like that. Obviously, first moment in his rookie season to do that, especially in a very pivotal game and fourth quarter, and the way it was going, we needed all that, but not a surprise at how he stays ready that he was able to have a game like that….”

Tony Allen, former Grizzlies legend, used to say, “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.” And that’s what the 21-year-old rookie did. He stayed ready.

“Really just relying on the vets, the coaching staff, the video guys as well,” Roddy said about staying patient and waiting his turn.

“Vets like Xavier Tillman [Sr.], who’s been in that position. Santi [Aldama] as well. Dillon [Brooks], [Desmond Bane], all those guys … really just leaning on them. Just understanding their experiences from when they were young. You don’t know all the answers, but you have to stick to the process and trust that your opportunity is going to come and just be ready for that. I really want to give kudos to those guys.”

Late in the fourth quarter after securing a game-saving steal, the 17,794 in attendance shouted, “RODDY, RODDY, RODDY!!!”

Roddy was appreciative of the moment, “It’s pretty cool. You’re still locked into the game, you don’t really understand, or you don’t really know, at one point, but I was walking away, and I was like, ‘Oh wait, that’s pretty cool.’ I appreciate all the fans coming out, making it a special night.”

Desmond Bane was the Grizzlies leading scorer with 25 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. He was excited by Roddy’s breakout performance. 

“I’m so happy for him,”Bane said. “He puts his best foot forward every day. Whether it’s G League, whether it’s with us, he deserves it. He puts the work in, has the right attitude, and you never know when your moment is going to come. He helped us win the game, and he’s a big part of the reason we won tonight. Tell him to stay confident, stay aggressive, and keep doing what he’s been doing.”

Up Next

The Grizzlies and the Mavericks will play again, in Dallas this time, Monday, March 13, at 6:30pm CT. 

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Depleted Grizzlies Run Clippers Close in Road Loss

Dillon Brooks guards LeBron James. (Credit: NBAE via Getty Images)

It has been tumultuous for the Memphis Grizzlies since Friday night’s loss to the Denver Nuggets. 

First, Brandon Clarke went down with injury with a torn Achilles (out for the season), Dillon Brooks received his 16th technical foul that caused an automatic one-game suspension, and then there’s Ja Morant, who is away from the team indefinitely after brandishing a gun on his IG Live. 

It was remarkable to see the Grizzlies put up a fight against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night. 

“We have to step up because there are big shoes to fill,” said Jaren Jackson, Jr. after Sunday’s heartbreaking loss to the Clippers. “That’s been our motto for a long time. Whenever somebody goes down, everyone’s always ready, everyone’s always working. Come together and do it.”

The Grizzlies put up a 51 point third quarter against the Clippers and had a 15 point lead going into the final period. LA outscored Memphis 38-17 to win the game, 135-129. 

Memphis’ fourth quarter woes continue to rear its ugly head. 

Desmond Bane says that the team isn’t really too concerned about it. 

“We’ve had guys in and out you know pretty much all year, so I think that we’re still kind of figuring out our fourth quarter offense,” he said. “Once we get to half court, Jaren [Jackson, Jr.] is a focal point given his size. We slow the game down and play through him. So if he continues to make the right decisions, I think that is something that we’re gonna grow through for sure.” 

The Grizzlies are ranked 29th in fourth quarter scoring in the association. 

Tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers on TNT, Memphis will have Dillon Brooks back in the starting lineup. 

Memphis is still second place in the Western Conference yet only .5 games ahead of the soaring Sacramento Kings, who are in third. 

The Lakers are trying to make the play-in while LeBron James is out due to a foot injury. 

Tyus Jones isn’t worried about the team after all the adversity. He said Sunday, “I’m confident that the team will move forward. I’m confident we can continue to stay together, ride together. We still have a job to do – we are still striving to improve as a team.”

That next-man-up mentality must be ever present for the Grizzlies if they want to keep second place in the West. Other teams will not lie down for them. 

The secret to their success is giving a full effort for the full 48 minutes. Jenkins must take responsibility for the selection of his lineups and the players have to take responsibility for their play. 

I know it’s going to be a struggle. Can the team handle it with added pressure without Morant?