Ja Morant massive dunk over Jalen Smith on Saturday, January 14, 2023 (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
On Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Memphis Grizzlies (29-13) won their ninth straight game, 130-112 over the Indiana Pacers (23-21). The Grizzlies have the longest active win streak in the league.
“That may very well be the best team on the planet right now – they’re very hard to play,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. However, almost no one is talking about the win itself. That’s because almost everyone is talking about Ja Morant’s vicious dunk over Jalen Smith.
Morant has become most definitely must-see TV! People will be discussing that dunk for years to come — until he does one to top it. The dunk has garnered millions of views across social media platforms.
When asked if it was the best dunk of his career, Morant said, “Yeah, easy,” because of its difficulty. “It’s what everybody’s been waiting for — I finally made it this time.”
Morant went on to describe the highlight play, he said, “Basically I left the other defender pretty much at the three-point line and it was just me into my launchpad, went up seeing him come over [to] try to block it. I went for a normal Ja dunk attempt and this time I made it.”
Morant finished with 23 points on 7-of-17 shooting with 10 assists and three rebounds.
Teammate Desmond Bane said, “I ain’t seen nothing like that one. That’s probably going to go down as dunk of the year.” Bane finished with 25 points and eight rebounds, while connecting on 5-of-11 from beyond the arc.
Bally Sports Grizzlies sideline reporter Rob Fischer discussed his reaction to the dunk, “He’s like watching NBA Jam in real life. The kid’s got rocket boosters under them Ja1’s.” Brevin Knight, Bally Sports Grizzlies color analyst said, “My reaction today is speechless. He’s spectacular.”
I think we are all Knight after witnessing that dunk.
“That was the dunk, as Ja said, that people had been waiting for – the elevation, cock of the arm and power of the smash. It had the entire building buzzing – both Pacer and Grizzlies fans, said Pete Pranica, Bally Sports Grizzlies play-by-play announcer. Pranica added, “I wish Indiana had called timeout so we could have really savored it, but the game goes on.”
“I mean, high level play for sure,” Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins on Morant’s dunk. “They had been blitzing him. They had been up, he was just navigating little cracks and seams to get downhill. And then that one, the takeoff spot to where the defender was right at the rim. It was really impressive. That’s a hard finish. … Obviously, that was an emphatic play for us.
When asked if he taught Morant that move, Jenkins said jokingly, “Oh, everything of course. No, that’s his God-given ability. That’s great execution and that’s picking your spots to be aggressive.”
Former NBA great Kevin Garnett praised Morant on Twitter.
When we look back on Ja’s in game dunk highlights when it’s all said and done it’s gonna be up there with the some of the greatest ever 🚀
It was called a goal tend but was overturned after a coach’s challenge.
Up Next
The Grizzlies will host the Phoenix Suns in the 21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Game on Monday. The game will broadcast regionally on Bally Sports Southeast and nationally on TNT. Tip-off it at 5 p.m. CT.
The Grizzlies will look to win their 10th straight game. With a win over the Suns, it will be just the second double-digit winning streak (within a single season) in franchise history. Memphis set a club record last season with an 11-game winning streak from Dec. 26, 2021-Jan. 13, 2022. Memphis might be without Morant, as he’s listed as questionable with left hip soreness.
Jaren Jackson Jr. goes up for a dunk. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Happy New Year. The Memphis Grizzlies are one game back from the top of the Western Conference, and to close out the year they just beat the team ahead of them in the standings, Southwest Division rival the New Orleans Pelicans.
The matchup between these two teams is spicy, with two of the most exciting players in the league – Ja Morant and Zion Williamson –battling it out.
Let’s get into it.
Three-point shooting woes continue to plague the Grizzlies, and in Saturday night’s matchup, they shot a season-low 17.2 percent from distance. But Memphis made up for the lack of outside shooting by dominating down low, outscoring New Orleans 74-44 from the paint.
Big man Steven Adams grabbed a season-high 21 rebounds while helping to hold Jonas Valanciunas to 6 points and 6 rebounds. The two centers were traded for each other in 2021, with Memphis sending Valanciunas to New Orleans in exchange for Adams.
There were some technical difficulties midway through the second quarter when all the game clocks in FedEx Forum lost power, causing a stoppage in play for several minutes. Play resumed with the officials using stopwatches until the clock situation was resolved.
The break in play derailed the Grizzlies’ momentum for the rest of the period and helped the Pelicans to cut a 21-point lead to just three at the half. New Orleans briefly managed a two-point lead during the third quarter, but the Grizzlies did not allow them to keep it for long, dominating the fourth quarter 33-22. Memphis now leads the season series against the Pelicans 2-1.
By the Numbers:
Ja Morant led all scorers with 32 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals.
Jaren Jackson Jr finished with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 6 blocks.
Desmond Bane contributed 18 points and 7 rebounds. Bane is still struggling with three-point shooting since his return to play, and was 1 of 6 from beyond the arc.
Steven Adams had a great night with 10 points, 21 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
Dillon Brooks had a quiet night offensively, finishing with just 7 points. What he lacked in offense he more than made up for in defense, with his main defensive assignment being Zion Willamson. It was exactly what the Grizzlies needed from him.
Who Got Next?
The gang is back at it tonight with another home game, facing off against the Sacramento Kings to start off the new year. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. CST.
Dillon Brooks matched up against Gary Trent, Jr. on December 29, 2022 (Credit: NBAE via Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Toronto Raptors 119-106 at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night after dropping two straight games.
The victory over the Raptors in Toronto was a welcome relief after they had dropped four of their previous five games, including a crushing loss on Christmas Day to the shorthanded Golden State Warriors.
The recent slump has dropped them from first place in the Western Conference to third. They are currently one game behind the Western Conference-leading New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets.
Many questioned their swagger and competitive spirit after the disappointing losses.
Some were too quick to write off the Grizzlies, but they proved them wrong on Thursday night by just having fun and finding their footing again. The NBA is a long season, and Memphis must continue to take it one game at a time.
All five of Memphis’ starters scored in double figures. Dillon Brooks led the way for Grizzlies with 25 points and six assists for his homecoming. Brooks is from Mississauga, Ontario near Toronto.
After the game, Brooks revealed his coaches want him to be more of a playmaker.
On his six assists, Brooks said, “Kudos to me. I tried to shoot the open ones and I work on my game every single day to be confident in my shot.”
Desmond Bane added 16 points, five rebounds, and two steals. It’s his best game back since his return from injury.
Jaren Jackson Jr. chipped in 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Jackson is averaging 3.0 blocks per game this season.
Steven Adams posted his eighth double-double of the season with 14 points and 17 rebounds, while John Konchar added 11 points and seven rebounds as a reserve.
Sharing is Caring
The Grizzlies recorded a season-high 37 assists. Memphis is 8-0 this season when registering 30 assists.
With his 17 assists, Morant recorded the highest assist total by a single Grizzlies player since Jason Williams set a franchise record with 19 more than 20 years ago in March 2002.
The Grizzlies went 13-of-29 from beyond the arc after going four straight games shooting in the single digits. Brooks shot four, Memphis’ best 3-point shooter Bane connected with three, and Konchar added two 3-point shots.
Up Next
The Grizzlies will host the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum on New Year’s Eve, Saturday, Dec. 31, at 7 p.m. CT.
Desmond Bane drives to the basket during the game against the Phoenix Suns (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
It was a revenge game for Phoenix, and they fought harder to end the night with a 125-108 victory over Memphis. The loss to Phoenix also snapped Memphis’ seven-game winning streak at home, becoming one of only three teams (Boston, Sacramento) to beat the Grizzlies on their home court this season.
Let’s get into it.
After a thorough walloping on by the Golden State Warriors on the Grizzlies’ first ever Christmas Day game, one would think this Memphis team would rage back with a vengeance. It started well, with the Grizzlies putting the first 8 points on the board, but the Suns looked like the more dominant team.
Desmond Bane has continued to struggle finding his shot since returning from injury. The Grizzlies desperately need his accurate three-point shooting, as the loss to Phoenix marks the fourth consecutive game the Grizzlies have hit a single-digit number of shots from distance.
Memphis struggled to hit the long ball, going just 8 for 30 against the Suns. In today’s NBA, they are going to need to shoot better from beyond the arc if they want to win.
They also need more from their second unit in games like this. The Phoenix bench outscored the Memphis bench 60-41.
We are by no means in panic territory, but I suspect Coach Jenkins is going to have some very strong words for his team after their last two performances.
The Grizzlies will get a chance in the coming weeks to avenge this loss, as they will play Phoenix during the annual MLK game held in Memphis.
By the Numbers:
Ja Morant led all scorers with 34 points and 6 assists. Morant set a new career high for scoring in a single quarter when he put up 22 points in the third quarter.
Desmond Bane was the only other Grizzly to end the night in double figures, finishing with 14 points and 2 rebounds.
Xavier Tillman Sr. led the bench unit with 9 points, and Brandon Clarke followed closely with 8 points.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies are taking a quick trip to the frozen north. Thursday night they will be in Toronto to face off against the Raptors. Tip-off is at 6:30 PM CST.
Ja Morant debuting his Ja 1 signature shoe (Credit: NBAE via Getty Images)
Sunday night in primetime on ABC, the Memphis Grizzlies fell short against the Golden State Warriors, 123-109.
It was the first Christmas Day game in franchise history. The Grinch stole Grizzmas from Memphis in a decisive fashion.
Ja Morant seemed as if he was the only one ready to make a statement on national TV. Morant was the game-high scorer (near triple double) with 36 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.
To round it out, Dillon Brooks and Tyus Jones finished with 13 points each.
Desmond Bane struggled, plus Jaren Jackson, Jr. was in foul trouble and on the bench most of the night. Steven Adams was relegated to the bench after the Warriors started fouling him to send him to the line.
It seemed as if Memphis really wasn’t ready for the game.
In essence, the Warriors beat the Grizzlies at their own game: Trash-talking, the supporting cast playing out of their minds, and having fun.
This wasn’t a championship game that eliminated them from contention. It was a regular season game that the Warriors were more than ready for.
There’s no need to put the blame on players for their struggles. Memphis is still 20-12 on the season and sits third in the Western Conference.
The team will make adjustments and not let this loss linger in their minds. The team will still trash-talk and have fun. It’s who they are, and nothing will change anytime soon.
The Grizzlies will have their chances for revenge on January 25th, March 9th and March 18th. This has the makings of a good rivalry that will have everyone talking.
Ja Morant Signature Shoe
Despite the loss, Christmas was good to Morant as he fulfilled a lifelong dream of a signature shoe. Nike unveiled the Ja 1 shoe prior to the game.
Morant’s daughter Kaari helped him with the unveiling.
The giftskii I’ve always dreamed of finally arrived. 🎁
Excited to share the #Ja1, dedicated to the 1 who inspires me the most. 💙
“It’s a shoe for underdogs who have the dog in them, kicks for anyone who has been underrated or overlooked, who’s been told they’re too small, or their dreams too big,” Morant said in the announcement.
“Now, I know everyone wearing my shoes isn’t going to posterize a 7-footer,” Morant concluded. “But I want everyone to feel like they could. Tap into that underdog inside of them.”
This means so much for the city of Memphis. To have its adopted son put the city on the map is rewarding. No other player in franchise history had as much popularity as Morant. He’s a generational talent that will be talked about for years to come.
Up Next
Grizzlies return to Memphis to take on the short-handed Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. The Grizzlies throttled the Suns 125-100 this past Friday night in Phoenix without Devin Booker. The Suns were embarrassed at home and look to return the favor.
Desmond Bane lets it fly from beyond the arc. (Credit: NBAE/Getty Images)
It’s freezing here in the 901, but the Grizzlies did their part keeping us warm Thursday night by scorching the Phoenix Suns 125-100 in a wire-to-wire win. And so, it is my distinct pleasure to inform you that after a brief two-game losing streak, the Memphis Grizzlies are back to their winning ways.
Let’s get into it.
First things first: The best part of the night was the return of Desmond Bane. Bane returns to the lineup after missing the previous 18 games with a sprained toe.
It also marks the first time this season that the Grizzlies were able to play with their desired starting five.
Phoenix was missing Devin Booker but that hardly puts an asterisk next to this victory. Memphis was the best team on the court from wire-to-wire and dominated the game on both ends of the floor.
The Grizzlies remain at the top of the Western Conference with a 20-11 record, now tied with the Denver Nuggets.
Thursday night’s victory also put head coach Taylor Jenkins (148) ahead of former coach Dave Joerger (147) as the second-most winningest coach in Grizzlies franchise history. Lionel Hollins holds the record with 214 regular season wins, but I will be shocked if Jenkins does not surpass it during his tenure in Memphis.
During the game, no Grizzlies starter played more than 28 minutes and they got a big boost from the bench unit led by Brandon Clarke and Santi Aldama.
By The Numbers:
Lots of good stuff from this one, including a better than usual showing from the free throw line. I will overlook ten missed free throws when they win by 25 points.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the team with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks, along with Brandon Clarke who put up 24 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals from the bench in his best scoring game of the season.
Clarke also had a career-high free throw shooting game, going 10 for 10 from the foul line. Shoutout Canada!
Desmond Bane put up 17 points, 3 rebounds, and two assists in his return from injury. He struggled from the beyond the arc only shooting 2 of 8 from distance. But he too had a perfect night from the charity stripe, going 7 for 7.
Dillon Brooks contributed 16 points, 10 of which came in the first quarter. Also notable is that Brooks only had 9 shot attempts.
Ja Morant had a quiet night offensively, but he elevated his teammates, finishing with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Who Got Next?
In a franchise first the team will be playing on Christmas Day. Expect it to feel like a western conference semifinals rematch in the Bay as the Grizzlies face off against the Golden State Warriors.
Tip-off will be at 7 PM CST. There will not be a local broadcast so tune in on ABC or ESPN.
Ja Morant drives to the basket against Domantas Sabonis. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Grizzlies played their final game before the Thanksgiving holiday, facing off against the Sacramento Kings. It did not end in the Grizzlies’ favor.
Let’s get into it.
This was one of the most frustrating games of the young season, and it illustrated once again just how important Desmond Bane is to this team.
Props to the Kings, who are having their best season in recent memory. Harrison Barnes remains a Grizz killer, and De’Aaron Fox seems to have picked up that vibe as well.
Even the early return of Ja Morant, who put up a career-high 20 points in the fourth quarter, was not enough to save this game. Not having their best three-point shooter has certainly put Memphis at a disadvantage. As a team, without Bane, they shot an abysmal 27 percent from beyond the arc.
Another area that hurt Memphis was bad ball security – they gave up 23 points off 18 turnovers.
Here’s a (not so) fun fact: Memphis is currently the worst free throw shooting team in the league, and Tuesday was no exception, with the Grizzlies shooting 19 of 30 from the foul line. That is 11 points they left on the table in a game they lost by 4 points.
This is becoming a pattern for Memphis.
In their 8 losses so far this season, 5 were lost by fewer points than the number of free throws missed by the Grizzlies. Fix it.
A public service announcement from the Ministry of Making Your Fucking Free Throws
By the Numbers:
Ja Morant had a game-high 34 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, with a career-high 20 points scored in the 4th quarter.
Jaren Jackson Jr put up 22 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 5 blocks.
Dillon Brooks finished the night with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
John Konchar closed out with 10 points and 9 rebounds.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, November 25th. Tip-off is at 7 PM.
Jaren Jackson Jr goes up for a monster block.
(Credit: NBAE via Getty Images )
The Grizzlies faced off against the New Orleans Pelicans Tuesday night and were well and truly trounced. The Grizzlies were without Desmond Bane and the Pelicans were without Zion Williamson. The Pelicans were able to overcome their teammate’s absence, but the Grizzlies decidedly were not.
Let’s get into it.
The Good: Jaren Jackson Jr made his season debut and registered 5 blocks. Including this beautiful one:
The Bad: Desmond Bane has been added to the injured list with a big toe sprain, to be evaluated in 2-3 weeks.
The Ugly: 26% from beyond the arc, 68% from the free throw line, and minus 15 in the assist battle. The meager 16 Grizzlies assists to 31 Pelicans assists = embarrassing and unacceptable.
New Orleans thrashed Memphis and it wasn’t a particularly fun battle to watch. And it was extra frustrating knowing that the Pelicans were missing their best player. Turns out they didn’t need Zion Williamson to win.
CJ McCollum, a certified Grizz killer, lit up the three-point line, going 7 for 13. That is only two fewer made threes than the entire Grizzlies squad. Which is … less than ideal. Brandon Ingram and Larry Nance Jr each put up 19 points. Ingram shot 2 of 2 from three. Nance put Santi Aldama on a poster.
By the Numbers:
Ja Morant led all scorers with a game-high 36 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.
Dillon Brooks finished with 19 points and 2 rebounds while shooting 2 of 9 from distance.
With Bane out, Brooks took it upon himself to try and make up for the loss of three-point shooting. Not great. Hopefully, we will see fewer three-point attempts and more driving to the basket from Brooks in the future.
Brandon Clarke led the scoring off the bench, putting up 15 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks.
No other Grizzlies player scored in double figures.
Who Got Next?
The gang is headed back to home turf. The Grizzlies will face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, November 18th. Tip-off is at 7 PM CST.
Ja Morant moves up the court after a basket.
(Credit: NBAE via Getty Images)
The years of the Spurs being the Grizzlies’ most feared matchup are in the rearview, with Wednesday night’s seventh consecutive victory over San Antonio.
Let’s get into it.
This game had lots going for it – Ja Morant and Desmond Bane each dropping 32 points, Steven Adams feasting on the boards with 19 rebounds, good production from the bench, free basketball, and the Grizzlies’ play-by-play crew ready to square up against the refs.
Yes, my friends, Ja and Des did the heavy lifting on the offensive end, but the game MVP award goes to announcers Brevin Knight and Pete Pranica.
In the final 20 seconds of the extra period, the clock never restarted once the Spurs gained possession, resulting in a San Antonio fastbreak and bucket on the other end, all with the game clock stopped. The mishap allowed the Spurs to cut a five-point lead to one point.
How three officials didn’t notice that the clock had not in fact started is beyond me, but our fearless heroes Pete and Brevin were not ready to let this go quietly, resulting in a very heated exchange with the refs.
Thankfully, the Grizzlies were still able to come away with the win. But turnovers were not Memphis’ friend in this matchup, with the Grizzlies committing 20 turnovers and giving up 18 points off those turnovers.
By The Numbers:
Ja Morant and Desmond Bane each had a game-high 32 points, with Morant putting up 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Bane with 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
Their performance marks the first time in franchise history that two Grizzlies players had 32 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in the same game.
Dillon Brooks scored 13 points, and had 5 rebounds and 3 assists while shooting 3 of 5 from three-point range.
Tyus Jones finished the night with 11 points and 3 assists, also while shooting 3 of 5 from three-point range. Once again, Jones showed precisely why the Grizzlies were correct to pay him in the offseason.
Steven Adams closed out with 7 points and NINETEEN rebounds. Adams is currently fourth in the league in total rebounds but leads the league in total offensive rebounds.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies return home to face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday night. The team will be wearing their newly unveiled city edition uniforms. Tip-off is at 8:30 pm CST
Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball against the Orlando Magic during a preseason game on October 3, 2022 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo: Copyright 2022 NBAE • Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies’ surprising run to the Western Conference’s second seed last season caught many NBA observers by surprise. Overnight, the squad went from being the NBA’s ugly duckling to must-see TV. Nonetheless, nobody will be caught off guard this year. The team has an opportunity to demonstrate that they are serious contenders in the West for the foreseeable future.
One can consider that the team won 56 games last year and has one of the best young cores in the league at under 25 years old. The Grizzlies are counting on improvements from their returning players and a group of newcomers. Other teams around the league made significant roster adjustments and have a litany of healthy players who are returning from injury.
Memphis had a season that set a new standard for excellence. By playing stifling defense, the Grizzlies made NBA history by being the first team to finish first in rebounding, steals, and blocks all in the same season. Fast break points, offensive rebounds, points in the paint, and second-chance points were also league-bests for this team.
Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket during a preseason game against the on October 3, 2022 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo: Copyright 2022 NBAE • David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Because of his tremendous growth as a player, Ja Morant was selected as a starter for the All-Star Game and became the league’s most-improved player. Morant agreed to a five-year maximum rookie extension, the team announced on July 6th, worth upwards of $231 million. With Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the NBA in blocks and earning first-team All-NBA Defense honors, the team won the Southwest Division for the first time in franchise history.
Sharon Brown and Aimee Stiegemeyer, the Flyer’s special Grizzlies correspondents, analyze here the key questions facing the team as they prepare for the 2022-23 season.
There have been several changes to the roster since last season. Whose absence will have the most impact on the Grizzlies’ success?
Aimee Stiegemeyer: No disrespect to De’Anthony Melton, but Kyle Anderson’s absence is going to have the most noticeable impact. Anderson is one of the most underrated role players in the league and his talent often gets overlooked because his style of play is not the flashiest, and the best basketball that he has ever played was during the 2020-21 season when he filled the starting power forward position in Jaren Jackson Jr.’s absence. Memphis will need a Kyle Anderson this season.
Sharon Brown: It’s possible that Kyle Anderson’s worth can’t always be reduced to a number in the box score. However, the group greatly benefited from his leadership. The Grizzlies were in a jam in the first round of the playoffs last year, Game 5. It seemed like the Minnesota Timberwolves had their number, and Jaren Jackson Jr. was frustrated and in foul trouble, but the veteran leadership of Anderson and Steven Adams helped the young team stay composed.
At one point in the game, the Timberwolves were up and were poised to even the series 2-2, but the Grizzlies were able to recover and win the game, largely in part to the veteran presence on the bench that night.
Anderson was a veteran voice the team needed, in addition to being a great ball handler and above-average defender with length. In Anderson’s absence, Danny Green is ready and able to fill that void with his leadership pedigree.
The Grizzlies’ most recent season set a new standard for excellence. (Photo: Sharon Brown)
Among the returning players, who will have the most impact on the court, in terms of the Grizzlies’ success? Off the court?
AS: On the court? This is Ja Morant’s world, and we are all just living in it. As Morant goes, the team goes. He has really come into his own as the leader of this Grizzlies team, and during games you can find him encouraging and coaching his teammates from the floor.
Off the court, I envision Steven Adams taking on the role as the team’s dad. Big dad energy was on display with Adams last season when he physically picked up and carried Tony Bradley away from Ja Morant, thereby thwarting an altercation between them. We saw it again after the season opener when Adams swiped a towel from John Konchar to give to Morant.
And while he is not a returning player, Danny Green’s veteran leadership and guidance can be of immense value before he ever steps foot on the court. Green has seen the top of the mountain and he has been where the Grizzlies are trying to go — the NBA Finals. The experience and maturity that Green has gathered during his years in the league will be a welcome addition to this squad.
SB: On the floor, I would say a combination of Morant and Jackson Jr. Morant can alter the course of games offensively and Jackson Jr. is the anchor on the defensive side of the ball. Off the court, Danny Green. Green brings that championship experience as a three-time NBA champion. He has been on the big stage and knows what is required. On media day, Green was adamant that the team lacked maturity in a way. “A lot of guys like to do the social media — the TikTok, the tweets,” Green said.
“We can try to limit that a bit — focus on staying locked in to the game and treating the game the right way.
“We love to have fun, but the basketball gods will turn on you if you celebrate too early. Acting like you’ve been there and realizing you haven’t done anything yet — regardless of how many games you won in the regular season — if you haven’t won a championship, there’s nothing to really celebrate. My focus is on keeping them with that mentality for the whole season: Job’s not done,” Green added.
The team is about accountability and I believe Green’s presence will help with that.
And Morant is on board also. “I mean we’re young — he’s a vet,” Morant said when told on Grizzlies media day that Green thinks the team can benefit from maturity. “That’s his job … to hold us accountable. He’s going to be a big help for us in that area. It’s what we need.”
Thirteen-year NBA veteranDanny Green brings championship experience to the Grizzlies. (Photo: Aimee Stiegemeyer)
Last year the Grizzlies finished second in the Western Conference. Where do we expect them to rank this year?
AS: Fourth or fifth seed — not because the Grizzlies got worse over the summer but because other teams in the conference got better. The return of Zion Williamson for the Pelicans will be huge, and Minnesota made some offseason moves that will help propel them to a better ranking in the standards. Memphis’ loss of Kyle Anderson is Minnesota’s gain.
SB: I’m going to guess somewhere in the range of 2-7. It’s the Wild West, a place where anything can occur. The Los Angeles Clippers have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George back, the Minnesota Timberwolves have Rudy Gobert, Zion Williamson is healthy for the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder might make huge strides this season.
Which player will take his game to the next level?
AS: All signs point to Santi Aldama taking a big leap forward this season. His performance in the season opener shows him already playing at a higher level than last season, particularly putting up a double-double in his first career start. Aldama made himself useful on both ends of the floor, adding offensive power with some clutch baskets and snatching defensive rebounds. The Grizzlies and Spanish big men are historically an iconic duo.
SB: For me, I’d say Desmond Bane. Even though Morant was voted as the league’s most-improved player, that honor should have gone to Bane. The Grizzlies’ young sensation shot 43 percent from outside and averaged over 18 points per game last year. Considering Bane more than doubled his scoring average and improved on nearly all counting stats averages last season, he is undoubtedly taking another leap. Bane might be on track for an All-Star appearance.
He was phenomenal and a major reason the Grizzlies made the playoff push last season. Bane averaged 18.8 points and hit 49 percent from deep in the postseason.
The Grizzlies will have 18 nationally televised games, a franchise record. (Photo: Sharon Brown)
With Jaren Jackson Jr. sidelined for an undetermined amount of time, who will step up to fill his role?
AS: There is no one player on this roster who can give you all the things that Jaren does, which means it will take a group effort from multiple players to provide the offensive and defensive value missing. Expect to see this coming from a combination of Santi Aldama, Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, and Xavier Tillman Sr. This is where losing Kyle Anderson is going to hurt Memphis the most.
SB: The success of the Grizzlies can be attributed to their “next-man-up” mentality. There is no egotism in the locker room, which contributes to the culture. Every single one of them has the same goal in mind, and that’s to win basketball games. That manner of thinking and feeling is unimpeded by anything. Every single thing is geared toward achieving that one goal.
In my opinion, any player on that roster is capable of stepping into that role on any given night.
Predicted season win total?
AS: Fifty-three games. The competition among the Western Conference this season will be cutthroat and relentless. On a micro-level, there is the factor of Jaren Jackson Jr.’s indeterminate timeline for returning to the court.
SB: Barring serious injuries to key players, I have them winning between 50 and 56 games. Memphis has the right vibe and players who are eager to prove themselves. The squad is still as confident as ever and ready to take on any opponent. And then there’s that person at number 12 who can alter the course of games.
The Grizzlies have a franchise record of 18 nationally televised games, and for the first time they will be playing on Christmas Day. Will that adversely affect the team’s performance?
AS: Not even a little bit. This group has shown that they thrive under pressure and embrace the opportunity to prove any naysayers wrong. If anything, the increased national exposure will be a motivating factor for this Grizzlies team, especially given how intense the rivalry between Memphis and Golden State has become.
SB: The opposite is true; it will only encourage them to improve. The Grizzlies don’t have much to worry about other than getting out of their own way and focusing on the task at hand. Morant is a once-in-a-generation talent for Memphis, with the capacity to completely dominate games once he gets into his groove. Memphis has taken a giant step forward with the Christmas Day game. To top it all off, the squad still has more to prove.
Five rookies joined the Grizzlies’ roster this offseason. Who should we be keeping an eye out for?
AS: David Roddy and Jake LaRavia are the likeliest to see game-time minutes early in the season, but I am most looking forward to seeing Kenneth Lofton Jr. develop and how his game progresses. Junior, as he is known, will spend most of the time playing with the Hustle in Southaven, but he has the potential to put up big numbers. If the Grizzlies can get the version of Lofton we saw during Summer League, he can be a substantial weapon in their arsenal for years to come. His basketball IQ and smooth footwork are reminiscent of Grit-and-Grind-era Zach Randolph.
SB: There was no doubt that Kenneth Lofton Jr., better known by his nickname Junior, was a sight to behold in the Summer League and the few games in which he participated in the preseason. People should go to Southaven to watch him play for the Memphis Hustle. With a two-way deal, Lofton may only play in 50 regular season games for the Grizzlies and cannot participate in the postseason. Even in preseason, the crowd was screaming “bring in Kenny” for Junior, indicating that he had a devoted fan base. A #FreeJunior hashtag has also been created for use on social media. Zachary McKenley Randolph, also known as Z-Bo, is a Grizzlies icon who is often compared to Junior. Lofton is a bucket-getter, a traditional post player who makes the most of his size and strength.
