Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! We at Locked on Grizzlies are grateful that you make us part of your Memphis Grizzlies content consumption every time an episode drops or a newsletter hits your inbox!
There’s plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. One thing that the stars of the Grizzlies (Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane) are especially happy about this turkey day?
That this Memphis team is DEEP.
In a blowout victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, Desmond Bane continued with his offensive struggles. Jaren Jackson Jr. played one of the worst games he’s had all season. And Ja Morant did not even play in the contest due to a knee contusion.
So in a game that the team’s superstar did not suit up and their two other star-level players shot a combined 6-22, Memphis won comfortably.
It turns out that Bane, Jackson Jr., and Morant have friends this Thanksgiving. Lots of them.
Their best buddy on Wednesday night was one Marcus Smart, who appears to be taking to his new reserve role like a pie takes to the dessert table this time of year. Smart was a scalding hot 7-11 from beyond the arc on his way to a game-high 25 points scored.
That elite shooting won’t happen every night. But the energy he provided off the bench, the defensive plays (3 steals) and other winning-style stats (5 assists and 4 rebounds) he racked up...those can absolutely stick around. And as long as he stays healthy, Smart can be a difference maker for Memphis as a sixth man-type.
But even with Marcus’ player of the game performance, he was not the only Grizzlies roster member that thrived. Jake LaRavia continued what has been a strong season for him to this point (19 points on 9 shots). Santi Aldama showed some aggression on his way to multiple made point baskets. Scotty Pippen Jr. bounced back from a quiet game against the Trail Blazers and helped push the pace off of rebounds.
Brandon Clarke looked more spry than he has in other opportunities to play. He with 13 points was one of four Grizzlies players to score 13 or more - and none of the others (Pippen Jr./LaRavia/Smart) are named Bane, Jackson Jr., or Morant.
What a gift this holiday season. Memphis has a distinct “big three”. But now more than perhaps ever, the Grizzlies roster does not need them to be big every time out. To run a Pistons team (admittedly without Cade Cunningham) off the floor even when their best players don’t have their best games is significant.
It allows for minutes to be limited for a team pushing the pace offensively. It enables players like Ja Morant (and Zach Edey and Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson, goodness this team is deep) to not rush back from injury.
And it creates confidence in Memphis being able to win as a collective. No one, or two or three, player or players must excel to win.
That reality can propel you to a new level of success. And lead to a run of wins for a Memphis team that needs them.
