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.
Memphis struggles early and late in loss to Lakers
Nov 13, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball over Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images|Kiyoshi Mio/Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
The Memphis Grizzlies are in California to take on two of the league’s most popular franchises. Tomorrow they take on the Golden State Warriors (more on Steph Curry and company in tomorrow’s newsletter). Today, we take a look at what went wrong in a tough loss for Memphis in Los Angeles against the Lakers.
For starters, maybe the logic truly was the idea that Marcus Smart had been out for a while and should be “eased back in” to playing time. Smart’s paltry 23 minutes against L.A., and the overall organizational philosophy towards playing time in these situations, serve as evidence of that. But Smart not starting against L.A. was a mistake.
Again, the team had won five of their last six going in to the Lakers game - including a victory at home over L.A. just over a week ago. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it - right?
Wrong. Strength of schedule should account for something, and context matters. Memphis beat these Lakers (an abysmal 1-4 on the road), a Philadelphia team without top players, a struggling Bucks team, and two league bottom feeders in Washington and Portland.
Marcus Smart, as discussed in yesterday’s newsletter, has that “dawg” in him. It showed on Wednesday. And as the Lakers built up a big early lead against a young/inexperienced Grizzlies starting five that included three guys that played in the Vegas Summer League four months ago, it became evident they were not ready for the lights of L.A.
Marcus Smart was. He would’ve offset the early issues to an extent.
Then there’s another “big” rotation question. Tis’ the season for all politicians making grandiose statements and not necessarily being able to back them up. But while even NBA General Managers are guilty of this to an extent, Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman is usually a fairly straight shooter. So when he said that opposing teams would have to adjust to Zach Edey upon his selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, I believed him.
Maybe I shouldn’t have? Or maybe Jenkins just disagrees?
Edey did not get the start in this game - Jay Huff did. And while Huff saw more of the bench (only 13 minutes played) than Edey did (26 minutes), again, the Grizzlies got off to a putrid start (38-26 L.A. at the end of the first quarter). Jay Huff was barely in the NBA last season. Edey is the two-time reigning National Player of the Year, and a NBA Lottery pick.
Sure, bigs need time to develop. But what does it say when you believe the best way to counter a MVP-caliber big in Anthony Davis is playing the guy who impressed in Summer League over Edey?
It worked itself out. But the poor beginning to the contest rests squarely on Taylor Jenkins. We all make mistakes. Here’s to hoping Coach Jenkins learns from his as the team begins NBA Cup play at Golden State.
Traditionally, press defenses are a weapon of last resort in the NBA, fit only for highly specific scenarios or times of desperation. Professional basketball players simply are too good at passing and dribbling to be susceptible to large doses of full-court press — or so the thinking went. But the thinking, it is a-changin’.
Synergy’s database goes back to the 2008-2009 season, and before last year, only one team had used press on even 5% of their defensive possessions: the 2020-21 Charlotte Hornets.
Last year, however, we saw a notable rise in the press defense, thanks to two teams. The Portland Trail Blazers and Indiana Pacers both beat Charlotte’s mark. Portland led the league by pressing 7.2% of the time, yielding only .94 points per possession (well below their typical defensive rating of 1.04, although that’s not by any means an apples-to-apples comparison), and I predicted that this year, the Blazers — featuring heavy doses of ambulatory fly paper Toumani Camara — would crack 10%.
I had the right idea but the wrong team. Instead, the Pacers are currently pressing 11.9% of the time, followed closely by Brooklyn’s 11.5% (the Blazers come in third, with a still historically high 8.4%). In retrospect, Indiana’s surging interest in the press shouldn’t be a huge surprise — they picked up full-court on nearly a quarter of their possessions in last year’s playoffs. That’s insane!
They haven’t been quite that extreme this year, but look at this graph of every team’s percentage of defensive possessions in press defense:
Six teams in total are pressing more than 5% of the time. 22 of the league’s 30 teams are pressing more this year than last (with the caveat that we’re talking about a couple dozen possessions or fewer for many of these teams), and this is by far the most press we’ve seen since the data became available. Given the weaknesses we mentioned in the opening paragraph, why is the press gaining popularity?
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
Analysis The Grizzlies take the top two spots in the second edition of the NBA’s Rookie Ladder, showcasing the team’s promising young talent. (Beale Street Bears)
Fans Music to our ears. The Grizzlies unveiled their City Edition jerseys for this season. (NBA.com)
Analysis Sam Vecenie of the Athletic breaks down how this year’s rookies have started. I don’t agree with all of his picks, but he’s always thoughtful with his selections and insightful with his analysis. (NY Times, Subscription required)
Personnel HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto goes behind the scenes with the Indiana Pacers’ coaching staff. Mostly, you get a better appreciation for how little coaches sleep!
Must Read Jared Dubin investigates the rise in dunks over time for his newsletter “Last Night, In Basketball.” It’s a fun, breezy read! (Last Night, Subscription required)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Wednesday’s Notable Fantasy Basketball Performances
Nov 13, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images|Photo By Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
In the ever-evolving world of fantasy basketball, keeping an eye on emerging talents and consistent performers is key to maintaining a competitive edge. Let’s delve into the standout performances of three young guns, as well as the continued dominance of Giannis, and explore their potential impact on your fantasy lineup.
Donovan Clingan: A Rising Star?
Donovan Clingan’s recent performance has caught the attention of fantasy managers everywhere. With 31 minutes on the court, Clingan delivered an impressive stat line of 17 points, 12 rebounds, and a staggering eight blocks. His ability to dominate the paint and contribute defensively makes him a valuable asset, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Deandre Ayton’s injury status. While Clingan’s long-term role remains uncertain, his current form makes him a must-add in fantasy leagues, particularly for those in need of blocks and rebounds.
Jared McCain: Rookie on the Rise
Jared McCain has quickly become a hot topic in fantasy circles, thanks to his explosive performance in the absence of key players like Paul George and Joel Embiid. McCain’s 34-point game, complete with six three-pointers and 10 assists, showcases his potential as a high-usage player. While his current role is bolstered by injuries to teammates, McCain’s talent is undeniable. Fantasy managers should consider adding him to their rosters, but remain cautious about his long-term value once the team’s stars return.
Click the button below to see how Giannis continues to be a fantasy force, and why for Victor Wembanyama, the future is now.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Grizzlies podcasts.
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Are we excited about the Memphis Grizzlies entering NBA Cup play? 11 games in to the NBA season, the Memphis Grizzlies are in a much better place than they were this time last year. Are we excited, or nervous, entering the NBA Cup? Hosts Joe Mullinax and Damichael Cole discuss that, plus Luke Kennard’s big night against the Portland Trail Blazers, on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
Memphis Grizzlies flex depth, sweep weekend games by a combined 69 points From Jaren Jackson Jr., 39-point night to the Grizzlies’ 45-point win, Memphis had a dominant weekend. In this episode, host Damichael Cole recaps the Grizzlies dominance, Jake LaRavia’s performance and the emerging depth.
