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 is about to have that “dawg” back in them
Oct 28, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) stretches during warm ups prior to the game against the Chicago Bulls at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images|Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Last week when the superstar Point Guard of the Grizzlies, Ja Morant, got undercut on an alley-oop attempt there was little reaction from the Memphis players themselves. Unlike when a star quarterback gets hit late and one of his offensive linemen sprints in to “give him the business”, there was not much anger. No sprinting and screaming and attempting to avenge their fallen leader.
You don’t want people to be something they’re not. The currently healthy Memphis Grizzlies simply aren’t that type of aggressor, for a variety of reasons - youth, inexperience (although Zach Edey is pretty aggressive in his own way), etc.
But do not worry, Grizzlies fans. The “dawgs” are coming back.
Starting with Marcus Smart, whose impending return to the Grizzlies rotation could come as soon as tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers, will help a lot. Smart has been through the proverbial wars a time or two. Over 100 postseason games played against the likes of LeBron James and plenty more NBA stars. And in countless situations, when physically pushed, Smart pushed back - and responded physically.
If Smart had been on the floor, Morant would’ve had more direct back up. And that initial “push” perhaps would’ve motivated the younger, less confrontation-inclined Grizzlies to step up and make it known that such an act - even if the officials weren’t going to say anything - wouldn’t be allowed to stand so easily.
And if Vince Williams Jr. - currently on pace to return not too long after Smart does later this week - had been on the floor, he maybe would have beaten Marcus Smart to the spot to be first to defend Morant.
Here’s a guy who is on record saying he wants to do the “dirty work” for these Grizzlies. Rebounding? Sure. Defending the most dangerous offensive weapon for the opposing team? No problem. Williams Jr. is an underrated part of what this Memphis team can be. He has the mentality that any coach wants in a player.
A mentality that Marcus Smart can probably look at and see a lot of himself in.
Eventually playoff basketball will arrive. And hopefully the Memphis Grizzlies will be back in the postseason, competing at the highest level. Another thing to hope is that Ja Morant (and Desmond Bane, who also “stands on business” when it comes to conflict) are on the court trying to get Memphis to advance to the next round.
The next time someone comes at the “king” of these Memphis Grizzlies - injury or no injury - hopefully he will have the back-up that won’t miss by his side. And by their example, a team that is built for depth and movement will roll deeper, and be about that action, more than they were last week against the Lakers.
Klay Thompson’s homecoming to The Bay started well before he hit the floor last night at Oracle with the Mavs and roughly 19,000 fans started waving nautical Captain hats.
It started mid-way through last season, when Golden State didn’t signal they’d immediately be resigning Thompson as the franchise had, up to then, always been in a hurry to. There were shades of it along with Thompson’s frustrations in his game changing, the splashy shots not falling as fluidly as they used to. Clues came in the way the Warriors felt their frustrations as a team: once together, a cohesive unit, and then splintering and individually.
“Even from July, when Klay decided to go to Dallas to us showing up for training camp and him not being here, it was kind of like a slow build to this night for everybody,” Warriors point guard, Steph Curry, said after last night’s game.
Basketball isn’t played in a vacuum, and Curry sharing the psychic and emotional timeline of the team underscores that in a rare glimpse behind the curtain. Sometimes its brightest full-circle moments have to struggle through discomfort, angst and loss in order to come back around. Often, the storylines with the most ups and downs are the ones that end the most cathartically.
Since this season began, Thompson’s been candid about how necessary the move to Dallas was for him. “Every pro athlete’s human, and uncertainty can bear on you,” he told ESPN prior to Tuesday night’s homecoming game.
“Honestly, it’s rejuvenated me and done something I needed bad just for my mental [state] and my career,” Thompson said.
It’s a knife’s edge between animosity for an athlete’s who’s left a franchise they share a storied history with and sympathy for their decision. What tips fans to one side or the other can skew personal, so isn’t always easy to predict, but Thompson’s tendency toward honesty helps. He’s always been someone who wears what he’s feeling on the floor openly, and for that fans — for the most part — respond with empathy. There’s a sense that through all the years he played for the Warriors there was an open conduit of conversation between him and the fanbase.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Legacy Exploring the Grizzlies-Lakers rivalry highlights how both teams’ past and present have shaped this competitive matchup. (Beale Street Bears)
Injury Key players receive significant injury updates ahead of the Grizzlies vs. Lakers game, impacting team strategies. (Sports Illustrated)
Legacy Klay Thompson feels “free” after his late-career move to Dallas. (ESPN)
Fantasy Basketball Takeaways From Tuesday - Robert Williams Day
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) shoots the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) during the first half at Moda Center. |Photo by Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA games offered a wealth of insights for fantasy basketball managers. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways and strategic moves you should consider:
Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
- Grant Williams: With his move to the starting lineup, Williams is a viable short-term pickup, especially while the Hornets deal with injuries. His ability to contribute in multiple categories makes him a solid addition in deeper leagues.
- Moussa Diabate: Diabate’s rebounding prowess is noteworthy, especially with the Hornets’ frontcourt injuries. He’s a strong option for those in need of rebounds in deeper formats.
- Franz Wagner: Wagner’s performance underscores his value, particularly with Paolo Banchero out. Consider selling high if you can get a top-tier player in return, as his current production may dip once Banchero returns.
Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons
- Tyler Herro: After a 40-point explosion, Herro is a prime sell-high candidate. His shooting percentages are unlikely to sustain, so capitalise on his current form to bolster your roster.
- Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey: Both players showed their potential to fill the stat sheet. Cunningham remains a must-start, while Ivey’s bounce-back game suggests he’s worth holding onto for his upside.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Grizzlies podcasts.
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