Joe Mullinax here, the host of the daily Locked On Grizzlies podcast, with your daily Locked On Grizzlies newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Grizzlies and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
What the Memphis Grizzlies should learn from LeBron James
Nov 6, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts toward Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) after a three point basket during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images|Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
It should not be lost on anyone that gets the chance to watch the Los Angeles Lakers that they are witnessing greatness.
No, this is not a Locked on JJ Redick newsletter. It is, however, an acknowledgment of how special LeBron James is. And how lucky these Memphis Grizzlies are to compete against him.
While Memphis was able to knock off LeBron’s Lakers (without Anthony Davis) on Wednesday night, it wasn’t for a lack of trying from James. He posted an absurdly amazing 39 points on 24 shots, with 7 rebounds and 6 assists, in 35 minutes of play.
The man scored a point for every year old he is. 39 points. 39 years old.
“King” James is doing things at his advanced basketball age that he should not be able to do. The amount of time he invests in his body (and the money, too) to be able to do what he’s doing is tremendous. He is an underrated competitor. But even without his currently stunning state, the body of his career is of course worthy of even more praise.
He is the greatest of all time. Yes, better than Michael Jordan. The Grizzlies would be wise to study and emulate as best they can.
No, they can’t take his genetics from him. But so much of what LeBron has been able to do as a player, and as an overall ambassador for the game of basketball, can be a starting point for others to build on. In the social media era, he is the rare example of someone who hasn’t been lost in the shuffle online at some point. His aura, his brand, whatever you want to describe it as, is not impeccable - but it is darn impressive.
It’s not an accident. It’s part of a discipline that extends the physical. It’s mental toughness personified, a mental edge, It shines in the development of his public persona, but also in the way his game has evolved as he has aged. He made six threes against the Memphis Grizzlies - something that 10 or so years ago LeBron wouldn’t have needed to do (or maybe wouldn’t have even tried to do).
That development, that awareness of what value his name means now and has meant for a while...that is a level of wisdom not many achieve. Especially before age 40. To be the first true icon of the 21st century in sports that didn’t just live up to the hype, but exceeded it?
You’d be a fool to not look at that and want it, and more, for yourself.
Ja Morant has all the makings of the next face of the league. Multiple Grizzlies players have talent and skills that need to be added to in terms of overall tools available to them. And given the injury report of Memphis, a page out of the LeBron training playbook should be read a time or two.
Memphis won. They’re 5-4. But LeBron James was the best player on the court. At 39 years old.
We really are all witnesses. Hopefully the Grizzlies took notes on what they saw.
We’re about 10% of the way through the season, which means we’ve seen enough of the rookie class to make iron-clad judgments on them that will never change. First impression, last impression.
Kidding, of course; sample sizes are still small, and both we and the debutants themselves are learning a ton. Watching this class take their first baby-giraffe steps in the league has been a blast, so I’ve selected four rookies worth discussing.
1) Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Edey’s performance has been predictably up-and-down. On the one hand, he’s started to figure out how to defend without fouling. After infamously fouling out in just 15 minutes in his NBA debut, Edey hasn’t accrued more than three infractions in any of his last six games (although he did pick up three in just 15 minutes last night). Opponents are shooting just 55.6% against him at the rim, a better number than Anthony Davis or Rudy Gobert, and they take fewer attempts at the rim when he’s on the court. There’s a slight deterrence factor already at play.
Edey had a game where he went 11-for-12 from the field, but most of his damage has been done on putbacks and dump-offs. He has only generated 13 points on his 21 post-up possessions, a terrible mark, and his beloved hook shot has abandoned him.
Most peculiarly, a man I predicted might lead the league in screen assists has not been nearly as impactful a screener as I expected. Part of that is the Grizzlies leaning a bit away from the pick-and-roll-centric attack they’ve heavily featured in the past, and part is on some junior-high-school-level chemistry with Ja Morant (see here, where Edey whiffs on the screen and then can’t get to the lob quick enough). That said, he’s already mastered the rolling Gortat screen, a key tool for creating space for Morant. Now, he just needs more reps.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Fans Morant’s blunt statement about the Lakers stirred excitement, motivating fans and teammates with his confident outlook. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis Grizzlies rookies, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells, make strides in the NBA’s rookie ladder, showcasing their early potential and team impact. (Beale St. Bears)
Personnel Owen Phillips of The F5 examines whether a coach can translate their styles between different teams. For example, what trends and principles has Kenny Atkinson instilled in the Cavaliers that we first saw in his Nets tenure?
Analysis ESPN’s Kevin Pelton looks at some early trends, such as the impact Jeremy Sochan’s injury might have on Victor Wembanyama’s offense, the Thunder defense, and more.
Must Read Joseph Casciaro and Joe Wolfond of theScore have 10 observations on the young season, including a look at the Bulls’ blistering pace, KAT’s defensive issues, and much more.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Zaccharie Risacher’s Big Night Brings Fantasy Basketball Questions
Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) shoots over New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the second half at State Farm Arena.|Photo by Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
In the world of fantasy basketball, player performances can fluctuate wildly, and Wednesday’s games were no exception. While Zach Edey had previously dazzled fans with a standout performance against the Nets, his recent outing was less than stellar. Facing tougher competition, Edey managed just eight points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes. This game served as a reminder that while Edey has potential, consistency is key, and fantasy managers should be cautious about overcommitting to him based on a single strong performance.
On the flip side, Zaccharie Risacher delivered a performance that turned heads and could have significant fantasy implications. Starting for the Atlanta Hawks, Risacher exploded for 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. His shooting was on point, and he contributed across multiple categories, making him a hot commodity in fantasy leagues. With De’Andre Hunter still sidelined, Risacher’s role in the starting lineup seems secure for now, and his ability to fill the stat sheet makes him a valuable asset.
Risacher’s breakout game highlights the importance of monitoring player roles and opportunities. While his previous performances were inconsistent, this game showcased his potential when given the chance. Fantasy managers should consider adding Risacher, especially if he continues to see significant minutes and usage.
As always, staying updated on player performances and team dynamics is crucial for fantasy success. Keep an eye on how these players develop in the coming games, and adjust your fantasy strategies accordingly. For more insights and analysis, be sure to follow the latest episodes of the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Grizzlies podcasts.
Grizzlies looking to get back on track versus LeBron James, Lakers The Memphis Grizzlies are back in action on Wednesday night at home against the Los Angeles Lakers. In this episode, co-hosts Damichael Cole and Joe Mullinax discuss areas of improvement, Giannis Antetokounmpo trade odds and preview the Lakers matchup.
Ja Morant, Taylor Jenkins express frustrations after Grizzlies lose to Nets Despite being heavy favorites, the Memphis Grizzlies loss a home game against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. In this episode of Locked on Grizzlies, host Damichael Cole recaps the game, Taylor Jenkins’ decisions and Ja Morant’s postgame displeasure.
When should Memphis Grizzlies fans wonder about Zach Edey’s NBA transition? It hasn’t been the start to his NBA career that Zach Edey surely envisioned for himself. And while the sample size is clearly too small to reach any real conclusion, the fact remains that the Memphis Grizzlies eventually will need more from the “Big Mane”. Hosts Joe Mullinax and Damichael Cole discuss when the time to “worry” should start, plus preview Grizzlies-Nets and update injuries to Ja Morant and others, on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
