There’s no denying that Grizzlies fans have been...well, freaking out lately. Poor rotations, questionable defensive execution and effort, and low minutes for stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. was enough to make you metaphorically heave in Memphis.
Funny enough, all it took to get the Grizzlies their groove back was a couple games against teams falling at a currently faster rate.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers are supposed to be two of the biggest threats to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference. They look very far from that prediction ringing true in the here and now. And Memphis was in a position to partake in the benefits of their dire straits.
How the tables have turned, am I right?
It was increased minutes for Morant and Jackson Jr. leading to increased productivity. Who would’ve thought that getting your best players more time on the court would result in improved play for the team? That’s WILD.
But it isn’t just Ja and Jaren cooking - although they both did so in a variety of ways across both of the Bucks and 76ers wins. It’s the rookies growing on a game to game basis - Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells making the most of opportunity.
Wells has the confidence and willingness to take the shot that a young Desmond Bane had in his rookie campaign. And he’s not shying away from tough defensive assignments, much like Dillon Brooks before him in 2017-2018 fought through adversity on a much worse team.
Edey is finally looking more and more like the guy Memphis saw in Summer League and the preseason. Every game he gets better. Double-doubles aren’t the only example of that growth - it’s in his rotations, his movement, his chemistry with Ja Morant and others. He is taking what he is seeing in tape study and learning.
With several projected rotation players out, including Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart, to get that production from those two players is a massive development. To start two rookies against the Philadelphia 76ers and win? That’s a remarkable bit of good fortune.
Of course, it’s coming at the expense of others. A frustrated Joel Embiid and the newly signed Paul George have yet to play for Philly this season. Milwaukee isn’t looking ready to meet the expectations that come from having Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard on the roster - at least not yet. Both these squads are more “broken” at this time than even Memphis is.
But the Grizzlies won’t show sympathy. Nor should they - Memphis has faced their own adversity the last 18 or so months. Opponents took advantage of the team then. And now, the Grizzlies are just returning the favor.
As long as Morant and Jackson Jr. compete at a high level, and the key cogs around them get more and more comfortable in their roles, improvement will continue. Regardless of the opponent.
Still - it is nice to be on the other side of the dysfunction for a change.
