If the Memphis Grizzlies truly are among the NBA’s best once again, they’re doing it in a variety of ways.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is performing at an All-NBA level. Rookies such as Jaylen Wells are playing well beyond expectations.
And then there’s Scotty Pippen Jr. He did something in Chicago on Saturday night against the Bulls that hasn’t happened since...well...his dad.
He’s gone from a G-League also ran to among the NBA’s best in assist percentage and assist to usage ratio. From a two-way contract that may see some time with the main club to the back-up point guard for a Memphis team trying to return to postseason relevance in a loaded Western Conference.
And he has done these things while recently being asked to be “the man” at the point guard position with Ja Morant out due to injury.
Pippen Jr. starting eight games before the calendar turns to December certainly was not in the plans for the Grizzlies - or even Scotty himself. But he’s yet another example of Memphis’ coaching staff and front office excelling at finding proverbial “diamonds in the rough”. John Konchar, Jay Huff, Vince Williams Jr., GG Jackson...all four of these names and Pippen Jr. himself were 2nd round or undrafted players who spent time in the G-League and/or on the Memphis bench before seeing their NBA playing time opportunities arrive.
From Summer League stars to dropping 30 points and 10 assists in actual NBA games. Anything truly is possible.
Pippen Jr. in particular is built for what the Grizzlies are trying to do this season. He is quite successful in transition - particularly off steals. He is a willing defender who has the ability to make finishing at the rim harder for his opponents. And his contract structure - between $2 and $2.5 million over the next three years with a 4th year club option - is very team friendly for a roster who is about to see another likely max deal added in the form of a Jaren Jackson Jr. extension.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows for Pippen Jr. Despite recent successes and clear strengths, across 436 minutes so far the Grizzlies are 20.2 points WORSE with Scotty on the floor as opposed to when he’s off. Opponents shoot over 8% better from beyond the arc when Pippen Jr. is on the floor as well. This is not all Scotty’s fault of course - he has teammates also missing rotations defensively and shots off of well-timed passes.
But it serves as a reminder that Pippen Jr. is being asked to do too much. With Ja Morant’s impending return, Scotty will head back to his reserve role. The one he’s paid to succeed in.
As those numbers improve, so too will the Grizzlies chances to make noise out west. Thanks in part, once again, to a player that other teams had a chance to have. Yet it was Memphis that provided the opportunity.
Pippen Jr. is making the most of it - as others have before him.
