The Grizzlies played the first of only two home preseason games Friday night, losing 97-90 to the New Orleans Hornets. As is always the case in the preseason, however, the outcome is less notable than the particulars.
The Grizzlies sat half of their potential regular-season rotation tonight: Mike Conley strictly for rest and to allow more time for the team to get a look at other players at his position. Marc Gasol (sprained ankle) and Darrell Arthur (sore achilles) with minor injuries that would not have kept them out in the regular season. Sam Young (day-to-day on a sprained ankle) and Xavier Henry (out 2-4 weeks with a more serious ankle sprain) with less minor injuries that would have sidelined them in a real game.
There were really on five players tonight who really mattered for the Grizzlies in this game, three guard competing for rotation minutes and two free agent big men competing for a potential roster spot.
Guards: Second-round pick Josh Selby had a rough first outing, getting routinely abused by veteran Hornets point guard Jarrett Jack early and shooting 1-5 from the floor, including some bad misses. He never looked comfortable and certainly didn’t look like he had a position. Selby had some high-scoring performances in many of the all-star pick-up games held during the lockout, but as I tweeted late in the game, Selby learned tonight that even a preseason game against a bunch of non-roster invites is much more serious competition than a summer exhibition against stars.
