Tag: Memphis Grizzlies

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A Tale of Four Games in Five Days

This is a brief rundown of the past four Grizzlies games over the span of March 3rd through March 8th.

Let’s get into it.

First up — the Grizzlies get served in Boston on national TV.

Final score: 120-107. 

Starting off in Boston, the Grizzlies succumbed to the national broadcast game curse and were dealt a solid thrashing by one of the best teams in the league. Aside from bombing in one of their few nationally televised games, there’s no shame in this defeat. The Celtics are playing phenomenally, and they had their home-court advantage to boot.

Ja Morant led all scorers in Boston with 38 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists, and shooting a much improved 8 of 8 from the free-throw line. Jaren Jackson Jr. finished the night with 20 points and 7 rebounds, while Desmond Bane had a respectable 17 points and 7 rebounds and shot 5 of 10 from beyond the three-point line.  

Next up — the Grizzlies headed back to Memphis where they secured a dub against the Orlando Magic.

Final score: 124-96.

This was not a surprising outcome for anyone who has watched the Magic this year. I had this game penciled in as a dub and the gang did not let me down. Orlando has a good young talent to build around in Cole Anthony, and perhaps in a couple of years, they will be considered a worthy adversary for this Grizzlies team. But that year is not this year.

Once again, Ja Morant led all scorers with 25 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists, followed closely by Desmond Bane’s 24 points, 6 rebounds, and two assists. Morant and Bane each shot 3 of 6 from distance.  

And then — there was a trap game in Houston.

Final score: 123-112. 

Honestly, this is the most embarrassing one of the bunch — because this was a game that the Grizzlies had no business losing. From start to finish it showed in the lack of urgency and careless ball handling. This year’s Houston Rockets are a decidedly less-than-fantastic team, and a team as good as this Grizzlies squad should be embarrassed at the lack of consistency and effort. It was the second game of a back-to-back set but even that is no excuse for lazy basketball.  

Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies in scoring with 28 points, two rebounds, 3 assists, and two steals, while Steven Adams put up a season-high 23 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks. Ja Morant had a quiet scoring night, putting up 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists. (As an aside, I love how we are so conditioned to Morant being an offensive dynamo that 22 points seems low.)  

Finally — the fam headed back to the Grindhouse where they mauled the Pelicans in a much-needed bounce-back victory.

Final score: 132-111.  

Indisputable evidence the Grizzlies have one of the best social media managers in the league.

After an embarrassing loss to the Houston Rockets, the Grizzlies needed to atone for their careless basketball showing. Thankfully they did just that. 

An artistic rendering of Tuesday’s Grizzlies victory over the Pelicans.

The Pelicans have long been a perennial thorn in the side of the Grizzlies, even during the times when New Orleans has been struggling. With no Zion Williams for the foreseeable future, the Pelicans acquisition of notorious Grizz-killer CJ McCollum gave them some much-needed offensive power.  Thankfully, no point guard faces were broken.

True to form, McCollum showed that he’s capable of lighting up this team regardless of the jersey he is wearing. But even his 32 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, and 5 of 10 3-point shooting weren’t enough to stop the Grizzlies when they play with full effort.  

Ja Morant had a team-high 24 points, with 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. finished the night with 22 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Desmond Bane also scored 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. And the rookie Ziaire Williams showed out with 16 points and 6 rebounds.  

Fun fact: Desmond Bane’s 5 of 9 three-point shooting pushed his total career three-pointers made to 300 in 131 career games, making him the eighth fastest (fewest games) player to reach 300 career three-point makes in NBA history.  

Who Got Next?  

The Grizzlies will host the New York Knicks on Friday, March 11th. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. CST. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Morant Madness: Ja’s ‘Never-Satisfied Mentality’ Key to Grizzlies’ Success

Ja Morant goes up for a slam against the Chicago Bulls. (Photo Credit: Memphis Grizzlies Twitter)

The adage goes, “It’s Memphis vs. Errrbody,” but the Memphis Grizzlies are slowly changing that narrative, thanks in part to the ascension of Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant.

The Grizzlies have moved up a notch this season thanks in part to Morant’s all-around game, which is sometimes overshadowed by his flash and flare. As Grizzlies color analyst for Bally Sports Brevin Knight put it on Bleav in Grizzlies podcast, “Morant makes solid plays but has flair on how it happens.”

Here is a replay with a little bit of flair, as Knight put it. 

In spite of his numerous WTF-inducing plays, Morant’s basketball acumen and overall understanding of the game go largely unnoticed. During a recent appearance on JJ Redick’s Old Man and the Three podcast, Draymond Green revealed the names of the NBA’s most intelligent players and Morant’s name was mentioned. 

Green said, “The smartest players I’ve played against are by far LeBron, Rajon Rondo, and Chris Paul. Who’s creeping up into that category, is Ja Morant. Everybody is excited about how Ja Morant flies around, everyone is excited about the passes he may throw. … All of those things are very exciting, don’t get me wrong, they’re exciting. But the thing that excites me most about Ja Morant, is that when we’re playing against the Memphis Grizzlies — and not quite to the level of LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, or Chris Paul — but when we’re playing against [Memphis], I can feel the chess match.”

Grizzlies play-by-play announcer Pete Pranica recently told The Undefeated that Morant had the best basketball IQ of any Memphis player he had ever been around in his 18 years with the team.

Pranica recalled, “Ja’s rookie year, we’re in Cleveland and I’m sitting on the team bus getting ready to go to the game … And I can hear him talking to a teammate recounting a particular play run at a particular time. And what impressed me about Ja is the recall of a particular play. It’s very LeBron-like that he can recount what he did, what the other nine guys were doing. What the first action was, what the second action was, how it was defended, and what the counter to the defense was.”

Saturday night, the third-year guard scored 46 points in a 116-111 win over the Chicago Bulls, setting a new regular season record for the team.

https://twitter.com/memgrizz/status/1497788441756590085?s=20&t=q3eQ9BEVeKeTAaNEaZZ7IQ

It was his fifth 40-point game of the season; no other Grizzlies player has ever had more than one in a season. Last season, Morant set a franchise record with 47 points against the Utah Jazz in the playoffs.

After the game, Morant also credited Michael Jordan as inspiration. 

After being bounced from the playoffs last season against the Jazz, Morant had a message for his team. His words were, “We will be back.” He also said, “We all have that never-satisfied mentality -— we all want to work, to be better, for it to be everybody is a big plus. We just got to continue to do what we’ve been doing. Lock in this offseason and just be prepared for next season.” 

And that’s what the team did. Memphis is currently 42-20 on the season, third in the Western Conference, and almost certain to make the playoffs with 20 games left in the regular season. The young Grizzlies are poised to win the Southwest Division for the first time in team history. 

Despite the absence of one of the team’s best perimeter defenders, Dillon Books, who has missed 21 games due to injury, the Grizzlies still lead the league in rebounds (49.2), steals (10.2), and blocks (6.4).

On Media Day before the season began, Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said emphatically that the 22-year-old Morant would be an NBA All-Star. Furthermore, Kleiman was accurate as Morant was selected a starter for the NBA 2022 All-Star Game.

While playing just 18 minutes, Morant was one of the All-Star Game’s biggest winners with two highlight dunks that made NBA legends blush. 

NBA Hall of Famer and TNT announcer Reggie Miller wants Morant to compete in the Slam Dunk contest next season.

After the All-Star Game, Morant said he was excited to be chosen as an All-Star; it was something he put in the work to accomplish. He said, “Definitely blessed to even be a part of this weekend, let alone being able to be an All-Star starter, being able to participate and celebrate the greatest people to play the game. Definitely an honor — I loved it!”

That said, the accolades mean nothing to the young star if he doesn’t win games. Morant added, “I just try to do whatever I can do to help my team win basketball games. If you ask my coach, he will tell you that the main focus is winning. When you will, all the other stuff comes with it, which is why I’m here in this seat right now.”

This season Morant is averaging 27.7 points on 49 percent from the field, 6.7 assists, and 5.9 rebounds. He’s also the NBA’s top scorer in the paint, averaging 16.5 points per game at 6’3”.

Morant’s ultimate goal is to win a championship. He said, “Our goal is to win the championship, and I feel like as long as we stay locked in, continue to grow together, play together, that goal can be achieved. We just got to stay the course, take it day by day, and let it play out.”

Last year’s Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo said that Morant and the Grizzlies are another small market team that can challenge for the championship. Antetokounmpo shared his thoughts on Morant and the Grizzlies during All-Star weekend, “He has improved every single year — he is having an unbelievable year this year … crazy.” Antetokounmpo continued, “I know that he is a very humble kid. I know he works extremely hard, and why not?” 

Antetokounmpo added, “Why can’t he win a championship in Memphis? A lot of people think that it cannot be done, and that’s something that he should literally consider. A lot of people think that he cannot do it. For me that motivates me even more, you know, when people think you got to go to a big market to win a championship, you have to join this guy to win a championship, you have to do that, that, this, this to be able to be in the top, but it’s not necessarily true. You just have to do what makes you happy. And I think he is happy where he is right now. He has an unbelievable team. They have a great culture, a great coach. The sky is the limit for them.”

It’s going to be a grueling final stretch for the Grizzlies and Morant, with just 20 games remaining in the regular season. Despite his youth, the point guard is already showing signs of experience and poise under pressure and knows he belongs in the conversation as one of the top players in the league. Morant has rightfully earned his place as one of the league’s most promising young players and one of the future faces of the league in his third season. And he is ready to lead his team to the playoffs and beyond. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Down the Stretch: Grizzlies’ Guide to Playoff Success

Ja Morant and Desmond Bane (Grizzlies Twitter @Memgrizz)

Now that All-Star Weekend has come and gone, it’s time for the Grizzlies to get back to basketball.  

There are 21 games remaining in the regular season, and the Grizzlies are positioned to make a respectable playoff run.  

If the playoffs started today, the Grizzlies would meet the Denver Nuggets in the first round. Memphis currently holds the third seed in the Western Conference, and there is potential for them to move up to the second seed. 

Potential first-round matchups with either Dallas or Minnesota are also not outside the realm of possibility if either the former slips down a position or the latter moves up. Both of those scenarios are still in play, but avoiding Dallas in the first round if possible is in Memphis’ best interest. 

Here are some ways the Grizzlies can maximize their chances for success down the stretch and into the postseason.  

Stay the course — There are a lot of things that this team does really well. They are first in the league in rebounds per game, in offensive rebounds per game, steals per game, blocks per game, and third in assists per game. In this regard, the Grizzlies just need to keep doing what they’ve been doing for the rest of the season. 

Do not throw away your shot — Right now, the Grizzlies are also first in the league in field goal attempts and tied for first in points per game. They are also an incredible 33-0 when they have a higher field goal percentage than their opponents. Purposeful and intentional shot selection needs to be a focus. There is one area in particular that needs to be addressed — free throw shooting, which brings us to our next and possibly most important point.

YGTMYFT — I feel like a broken record at this point, but this matters a lot when the point differential between wins and losses falls within the range of the number of free throws missed in a game. 

The Grizzlies are second in the league in free throw attempts, getting to the line an average of 23 times per game. Unfortunately, they have struggled throughout the season to capitalize on this, and it has been to their detriment. Ranking 28th in free throw shooting, there is much room for improvement.

A public service announcement from the Ministry of Making Your Fucking Free Throws

The worst offenders are Brandon Clarke and Steven Adams, shooting 67 percent and 55 percent respectively.

But Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant get to the free-throw line more than any other players on the team, so while they are shooting 80 percent and 75 percent from the charity stripe respectively, any improvement from the two of them would have the biggest impact. 

Uncertain factors — The return of Dillon Brooks is a wildcard at this point. If he is cleared to play, obviously, he should get some minutes, but how exactly is that accomplished when the team is doing so well without him? The Grizzlies need what Brooks can give them on both ends of the court, and it remains to be seen if they will be able to reintegrate him into the lineup and continue playing as well as they have.  

In closing:  

The ultimate goal for any NBA team is to win a championship and for Memphis, that window is opening now.

This means it’s time for the Grizzlies to lock in and buckle down, and for fans to enjoy the ride.  

Welcome to the Dark.  

All statistics from basketball-reference.com. 

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From My Seat Sports

Ja Morant’s Shining Star

Ja Morant (photo by Larry Kuzniewski)

Ja Morant has played in 176 regular-season games for the Memphis Grizzlies. He’s appeared in five playoff games, with more — hopefully several more — coming this spring. To say he’s gained star quality in the Mid-South would be a vast understatement. But Sunday night in Cleveland — at the NBA’s All-Star Game — Ja Morant arrived as an international star. Only the second Grizzly to start in the sport’s most glamorous showcase, Morant played just 17 minutes and scored merely six points. (He threw down a pair of dunks that would have won Saturday night’s silly contest.) Consider the 2022 All-Star Game a teaser for the rest of the world, because Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies is here and basketball’s royalty is quite aware.

Sunday’s event was more a celebration of the NBA’s first 75 years than it was a gathering of 24 current stars. The introductions at halftime of 75 all-time greats — most of them right there at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, a few actually playing in the All-Star Game — was an extraordinary salute by a league that relies more than any other on individual star power. George Gervin wears a larger belt today than he did in the Seventies and Eighties . . . but he’s the Iceman. Dominique Wilkins is wearing glasses now . . . but he’s the Human Highlight Film. And those two, among the diamond-anniversary greats, are second-tier celebs. It was a truly astonishing group of basketball icons under a single roof. And Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies was right there.

I’ve interviewed Julius Erving, Bill Walton, and Jerry West. I’ve met Magic Johnson, if briefly. These are sports legends of a different breed, men with star power that will outlive them, players who serve as the basis for comparison for any rising star who hopes to be worthy of a jacket when the league celebrates a century in 2047. We can count Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies among those rising stars.

The greatest basketball player of them all, Michael Jordan, was the last legend introduced Sunday night. (There’s a reason players weren’t presented alphabetically.) The very next player in the spotlight on TV screens around the world was . . . Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. He was part of a young All-Star quartet (along with Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Luka Doncic) that delivered a scripted-but-poignant tribute to the past legends, while looking forward to “the next 75 seasons” of stars and moments. Many of the men celebrated Sunday night will not be with us 25 years from now for that centennial celebration. But you get the feeling Booker, Towns, and Doncic just might. And it’s starting to feel all but certain that Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies will be there.

NBA championships are won by superstars, by the kind of player honored Sunday night in Cleveland. Since 1980, the NBA has crowned 42 champions. Only the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons suited up a team that didn’t include a two-time 1st-team All-NBA player. I bring this up because Memphis wants an NBA champion and we seem to have in our midst a player who may soon claim 1st-team All-NBA status. There is often a “process” to these things. Jordan won his first championship in his seventh season. It took West 12 years to win his only title. Can a 22-year-old superstar like Ja Morant harbor dreams of winning a crown so soon? His Grizzlies currently boast the third-best record in the entire NBA. The franchise’s first division title appears to be a lock. Why not more? If the 2022 All-Star Game symbolized anything, it’s dreams fulfilled. Ja Morant and Memphis. Superstar and city. One shared dream.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Go Wire to Wire Against the Pistons

Ja Morant, Kyle Anderson, and Desmond Bane celebrate in Detroit. Image via @memgrizz

The Grizzlies kicked off a quick three-game road trip Thursday night with a 132-107 win over the Detroit Pistons. This also makes the fourth consecutive victory for Memphis, and the third consecutive game won by 20 points or more.

Let’s get into it.  

The Grizzlies opened the game with a 41-point first quarter while holding the Pistons to just 19 points. While the Pistons never managed to catch up with the Grizzlies, watching the game it felt a lot closer throughout. Detroit is not a good team this season by any metric. But they are scrappy, and they have some promising young players to build around.  

The Pistons also have the distinction of being the team that passed on Desmond Bane two different times in the 2020 NBA Draft before he was drafted at number 30 by the Grizzlies. If you thought that might be motivation for Bane to play extra hard in Detroit, you would be correct.  

By the Numbers:  

Props to the whole team for a double-digit win, and outrebounding the Pistons by 20. The Grizzlies had more offensive rebounds (42) than the Pistons had overall (40).

In news that will surprise absolutely no one, Ja Morant led all scorers with 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists.  

12 doing 12 things.

Desmond Bane followed closely behind with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and two assists, including 3 of 4 from the three-point line, and of course, there are highlights.

Fun Fact: Desmond Bane was recently selected to participate in the 3-point shooting contest during the upcoming 2021 NBA All-star weekend.  

Steven Adams closed out with 16 points and 14 rebounds.

Another Fun Fact: Adams is currently the league leader in offensive rebounds.  

As for the bench mob, De’Anthony Melton and Brandon Clarke finished with 14 points apiece off the bench.

Kyle Anderson put a 13-point and 11 rebound double-double off the bench as well.  

Who Got Next? 

The Grizzlies will head to Charlotte to face off against the Hornets on Saturday night. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. CST.  

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Fall to Sixers in OT

Desmond Bane lines up a shot against the Sixers. (Photo via @memgrizz)

The Grizzlies fought hard Monday night in Philadelphia against the Sixers but ultimately were not able to close out in overtime. Memphis’ team lost to the 76ers 119 to 122.

Let’s get into it.  

As far as losses go, this one isn’t entirely disappointing. Not entirely, but still a little. There are many upsides to point out from this game, even in defeat. But there are also some lingering issues that continue to plague this Grizzlies team. Issues that need to be addressed sooner rather than later if they are going to make a deep postseason run. 

The Sixers were without their star big man Joel Embiid, but Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey picked up the slack and helped secure victory for Philadelphia. Harris and Maxey combined for 64 points, more than half of the points scored by the Sixers. 

But win or lose, the best player on the court was inarguably Ja Morant, with Desmond Bane in a supporting role. Morant and Bane are one of the most dynamic, exciting-to-watch backcourts in the league this year.

Ja-countability? Like the leader he is shaping up to be, Morant expressed in the postgame press conference that he feels responsible for the loss, citing key missed free throws and poor three-point shooting.

By the Numbers: 

Before I get into individual stats, the elephant in the room needs to be addressed — missed free throws are hurting this team in a bad way. Overall free throw shooting for the Grizzlies was a dismal 68 percent. The team missed a collective 9 free throws in a game they lost by 3 and there is absolutely no excuse for it.  

A public service announcement from the Ministry of Making Your Fucking Free Throws

As bad as the free throw shooting was, the three-point shooting was even worse. Shoutout to Desmond Bane for hitting 5 of the 6 made three-pointers. Unfortunately, that is not a typo — the Grizzlies shot an abysmal 6 of 30 from beyond the arc.  

But it wasn’t all bad for the Grizzlies — they scored 30 points off 21 turnovers, 29 fast break points, and 72 points in the paint.  

Ja Morant led all scorers with 37 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. This makes the seventh consecutive game where Morant has scored 30 or more points, a career record for him and a franchise record for the Grizzlies.  

Desmond Bane closed out with a career-high 34 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals, including 5 of 9 from beyond the arc.  

Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Rookie Ziaire Williams ended up with 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists, including 2 of 2 from the free-throw line. 

This dish from Morant to Williams was next-level nasty:

Behind the back passing? Yes, please!

Who Got Next? 

The Grizzlies continue their three-game road trip with an appearance Wednesday night at the World’s Most Famous Arena, to face off against the New York Knicks. Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. CST.  

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Beyond the Arc Sports Uncategorized

The Young Grizzlies Have Put the NBA On Notice

Ja Morant after a windmill dunk against the Washington Wizards (Photo credit: Memphis Grizzlies)

Recently, Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane told BasketballNews.com, “I think [why it clicks] has to do with our culture, with our locker room. We don’t have any egos. I mean, I think it starts at the top with Ja Morant, Jaren [Jackson Jr.], Dillon Brooks, myself — we’re all on one agenda, and that’s winning basketball games. Nothing really gets in the way of that mentality and that mindset. It’s always about winning.”

That culture is a big reason why the Memphis Grizzlies currently sit third in the Western conference with a record of 35-17. The second youngest team in the league has put the rest of the NBA on notice. 

Ja Morant has been on a tear this season and was selected as starter for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, which was announced last Thursday. Morant is the the first Grizzlies guard to appear in the game, and the youngest Grizzlies player to compete in the event at 22 years old. He will become the second Grizzlies player to start an NBA All-Star Game, joining Marc Gasol (2015) and fourth All-Star in franchise history (Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph).

Currently, the Murray State alum has a franchise record of six consecutive games of 30 point-performances. On Friday night in a win 119-109 against the Utah Jazz, Morant secured his first triple-double of the season with 30 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds that marked the highest-scoring triple-double in franchise history.  It was his fourth career triple-double.

After the win against the Jazz, Morant was thankful for the All-Star nod and was happy about being able to see his family, especially his grandmother who is battling illness. He said, “It has been big time — it was much needed getting to see my family during this time. Getting the All-Star starting nod and being with them when my name was called, obviously was something I wanted to do, to be able to do, and I was able to do that. Thankful for the organization letting me be able to go spend time with my grandma. Coming back, I was the same Ja as before the announcement was made, go out and prove myself to try to win the game.”

Morant was more happy about the win than he was about the triple-double.

The Grizzlies strive with the next-man-up mentality. Players and coaches have been out due to injury and the NBA’s health and safety protocols (Covid-19). And the team has kept winning through it all. 

After the 115-95 victory against the Washington Wizards on Saturday, Taylor Jenkins with emphasis said, “Great effort by our guys. We don’t care about the schedule, we just come out and play.”

No matter who the opponent is, the Grizzlies always try to give maximum effort in win or losses. 

Last November in their first meeting, the Wizards routed the Grizzlies 115-87. And the players remembered to return the favor. Bane said after the game, “Most definitely, we are a much different team now than what we were then. We were trying to find our identity earlier in the year.They smacked us pretty good at their place, so we definitely wanted to come out and set the tone tonight. Even just coming off of a game last night.”

Let’s not forget the sequence of the year!  The block-to-dunk might go down as the highlight of the NBA season. 

Jenkins described it as “Incredible. He was actually joking with the bench,” he said. “We call them ‘cycles,’ defense to offense. Multiple possessions together. Desmond [Bane] has the incredible block. That was, on top of what Ja did earlier in the year, one of the best blocks I’ve probably ever seen, especially in transition. Des going up there and meeting the guy up at the rim and it turns into that highlight reel on the other end. What a sequence there. Incredible on both ends.”

He added, “I, internally, was celebrating big time because I recognized the sequence that had just happened. I think I was sitting down on the bench when Des [Desmond Bane] goes up neck and neck to block that shot. That got me out of my chair. Then I see the quick outlet. Then I see Jaren [Jackson Jr.] making a selfless play for his teammate. The highlight was just a stamp on it. In a way, it was like an awe and pause. I had to catch myself there. What an unbelievable sequence.”

When the Grizzlies are having fun on the court, they are hard to beat. “It’s the ultimate fun,” said Jenkins. “I love this group, love what they stand for. They stand for having fun with each other and competing with each other. That’s what I tell myself before every game. We’ve got to go out there and do that. Luckily, we don’t have to repeat that to the group that much because they own it. It’s a credit to them.”

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Grizzlies Top Warriors for Record 10th Consecutive Win

Ja Morant and Desmond Bane (Grizzlies Twitter @Memgrizz)

Tuesday night your Memphis Grizzlies faced off against the Golden State Warriors and came away with another game in this historic winning streak. The 116-108 score means the Grizzlies have now won 10 games in a row. 

Let’s get into it.  

The buzz around the league right now has centered largely on the return of Klay Thompson for the first time since the 2019 NBA Finals. Thompson, Golden State’s shooting guard extraordinaire, is one-half of the Splash Brothers alongside Stephen Curry. Giving credit where credit is due, the aforementioned players are very good, as are the Warriors as a whole.  

But I dare say that right now, this Grizzlies team is better.  

Both teams were missing some key rotation players, but it was a fair matchup, and this victory was hard-fought. Draymond Green was sidelined for Tuesday’s game, and Dillon Brooks will be off the court for at least the next four to five weeks. The Grizzlies’ starting center Steven Adams remains in the league’s health and safety protocol for the third game in a row. Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins also remains in the league’s health and safety protocols, leaving assistant coach Darko Rajaković at the helm. 

By the Numbers: 

Before we get into individual performances, there are a few stand-out team stats that deserve some attention.  

The Grizzlies converted 17 Golden State turnovers into 26 points. They finished with 22 more field goal attempts, shot better from beyond the arc (14-34 vs 13-36), and beat the Warriors in rebounding (49-45), assists (30-25), steals (11-8), and blocks (8-5). 

They held Andre Iguodala to zero points in 21 minutes of playing time.  

Fun fact: Every single time that Iguodala got the ball in his hands or did anything in the game at all, the fans in the Grindhouse booed him. After the unnecessary debacle that Iguodala created surrounding being traded to Memphis during the 2019 offseason, I hope this becomes as much of a staple of the in-game experience as “Whoop That Trick” and trash-talking Blake Griffin. 

Grizz Nation has a long memory and pettiness that is unrivaled.  

Now, onto the gang.  

Ja Morant led all scorers with 29 points, five rebounds, eight assists, and two blocks.  

Ziaire Williams scored a career-high 17 points and contributed to a couple of highlight plays.  

Tyus Jones dropped 17 points off the bench, including shooting 5 for 5 from beyond the three-point line. 

Brandon Clarke closed out with 14 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks and contributed to some highlights of his own.

Jaren Jackson Jr. Notched a double-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks.

Desmond Bane finished with 11 points, three rebounds, and four assists. 

Kyle Anderson made his presence felt on both ends of the floor once again, ending with eight points, four rebounds, two assists, and three steals.  

Who Got Next?  

The Grizzlies will play back-to-back games at home Thursday and Friday nights, facing off against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks, respectively. They will close out this four-game home stand with the annual MLK Day game on Monday, January 17th, against the Chicago Bulls.  

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From My Seat Sports

Banner Blunder

I love — I truly love — the Memphis Grizzlies retiring Zach Randolph’s number 50 last month. The more I consider the hallowed “core four” era of Grizzlies history (2010-17), the more I consider Z-Bo the face of that seven-year run of playoff appearances. If Mike Conley was the heart of those teams, Marc Gasol the backbone, and Tony Allen the soul, Randolph was the muscle, the personification of “we don’t bluff.” The first Grizzly to earn All-NBA status (in 2011), Randolph is rightfully the first player in franchise history to have his number retired for posterity. And the night Z-Bo was honored at FedExForum — December 11th — was almost perfect.

Even without current headliner Ja Morant, the Grizzlies made easy work of the Houston Rockets before the ceremony. With Randolph seated in a throne(!) and his family on a makeshift stage behind him, old friends Lionel Hollins and Marc Gasol joined the party to offer personal salutes. So did the man who brought Randolph to Memphis, former general manager Chris Wallace. When the unveiling finally arrived, it came with “Whoop That Trick” filling the arena. It may as well have been 2013, the Griz on their way to the Western Conference finals. It was almost perfect.

But there’s the banner itself. I’ve spent a month trying to love it, to let it grow on me. It’s unconventional as far as retired numbers go, but Memphis specializes in unconventional. There was very little conventional about Zach Randolph, so surely this was the right way to salute him. Surely . . . .

I just can’t come around. Look at it again. A platinum album(?), with the number 50 centered on the disc. “Randolph” below . . . and nothing else. A retired jersey — the banner on which it appears — should not require an explanation, and Zach Randolph’s at FedExForum leaves blanks that must be filled. Most significantly, when did Randolph play for the Grizzlies? A retired number represents not just the athlete honored, but the athlete’s time in uniform: the games, seasons, and achievements memorialized with the number and name. At the very least, “2009-17” needs to be added to Z-Bo’s banner.

But let’s imagine FedExForum in 2042, twenty years from now. In walks a fan who — hold on to your headband — hasn’t heard the legend of Zach Randolph. He looks up at that banner for the first time . . . and wonders if a musical artist has been honored. (This will be a particular problem if similar “records” for Conley, Gasol, and Allen are eventually alongside Randolph’s banner.) Memphis is a music town and lots of concerts have been held at FEF. So who was/is “Randolph” . . . and what’s the significance of “50”?

As painful as it might feel to Grit-and-Grind culture, a conventional banner saluting Zach Randolph is the way to go. A big, bold “50” in Beale Street Blue, on a white banner, with “Randolph” and “2009-17” prominent. Z-Bo was a professional basketball player (who happened to play in a town known for its music). Let’s not blur the impact he made with a platinum record, however shiny it may appear.

I know the Grizzlies meant well in their design solution for a seminal moment in Memphis sports history. And for a single night of celebration, sure. Slap that shiny disc on a wall and give it the spotlight treatment. But long-term? For posterity? And the template for future honored Grizzlies? Here’s hoping Z-Bo’s banner is reconsidered. I’ve been in the publishing business long enough to know that some designs are astray and when a concept can be corrected (and/or improved), it should be.

The Memphis Grizzlies are professional sports in this town. They are what make the Bluff City big league. This means the details — large and small — matter more when it comes to the way the Grizzlies conduct business and present their brand. And the way they honor franchise greats. You could say this column is kicking a sleeping grizzly bear. Maybe it is. But as glorious as Zach Randolph’s name and number appear now in FedExForum, the salute can be even better. Some shots are missed. Ask Z-Bo about the value of a strong rebound.

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Crush Clippers, 123-108

Jaren Jackson Jr. goes up for a bucket. (Image via @memgrizz)

The Memphis Grizzlies embarked on a quick West Coast road trip, which they kicked off Saturday afternoon against the Los Angeles Clippers. After briefly being down by 11 points and losing a valuable player to injury, the Grizzlies clapped back hard, culminating in a 25-point victory.

It was their first appearance in the newly renamed Crypto.com arena, formerly known as Staples Center, and they certainly made an impression. If this game was a statement game, the message being sent is clear — don’t sleep on this Grizzlies team. Doesn’t matter that their star player was benched or that several other players were out due to health and safety protocols. There is always a next man ready to step up and show out, and that’s exactly what happened Saturday afternoon.

Let’s get into it.

In the first quarter, the Grizzlies struggled to get their bearings, further set back by Dillon Brooks suffering an ugly-looking ankle injury and being led off the court and to the locker room, unable to put weight on his injured foot. There is no way to sugarcoat it — this is bad, and it may well sideline Brooks for some time to come.

But that would not stop this hungry young squad, as they managed to strike back hard in the second quarter. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the charge in the first half, where he scored 18 of his 26 total points. He wasn’t the only guy to embrace the moment; Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones, and Brandon Clarke all put up stellar performances.

Brandon Clarke with the staredown. Coincidentally, it is also the face I make when someone tries to tell me this Grizzlies team is not legit.

A 25-point margin of victory is impressive any time, but even more so when you factor in that the Grizzlies were doing all this without Ja Morant, Steven Adams, Kyle Anderson, John Konchar, and head coach Taylor Jenkins.

Saturday’s win allows the Grizzlies to extend their winning streak to a franchise-record eight games in a row and gives them the league-best record since December 1st.

By the Numbers:

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the charge for the Grizzlies and finished the night with a team-high 26 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and five blocks. Yes, you read that correctly — five blocks.

The unicorn would like to welcome you all to the Block Party.

Desmond Bane closed out with 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals, including 5 of 8 from beyond the three-point line. Bane is that mane.

Next up, Tyus Jones ended the night with 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Followed closely by Brandon Clarke, who also finished with 18 points, a game-high 15 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. [Brevin Knight voice] SHOUTOUT CANADA!

This dish from JJJ to Clarke is poetry in motion. *chef’s kiss*

Killian Tillie’s nine points all came from beyond the arc. Mr. Do Something aka De’Anthony Melton had eight points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and two steals.

Rookies Santi Aldama and Ziaire Williams both closed out with seven points.

Who Got Next?

The Grizzlies will be returning to the same court Sunday night to face off again against the Los Angeles Lakers. This is going to be a late game, so extra caffeination is highly recommended. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. CST.