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.
Scotty Pippen Jr. is another Memphis success story
Nov 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) scores on a breakaway against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks/David Banks-Imagn Images
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.
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.
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.
It was the three second violation heard round the world. Kidding, but it was strange enough that you looked to confirmation of what you were seeing to those around you, and/or rewatched the replay of it several times.
Posted up under the Raptors basket, Rudy Gobert had Scottie Barnes on his back in a mismatch and was calling to Julius Randle for the ball. Beyond the arc. Randle dribbled the ball, unhurried, as the shot clock ticked down. He’s eyeing the lane, would clearly prefer to drive, and even plants a foot to take off from when the whistle finally comes for Gobert, strolling out of the key nonchalantly, with all the urgency you’d approach a dental appointment.
Still frustrated, Gobert then needlessly hip-checked Barnes at the other end, sending him to the line and sending the Raptors up in the match and in momentum. Toronto won 110-105.
You can take your pick for what’s more worrisome, because the perspective shifts depending on the root of a few problems the Wolves face.
That Gobert opted to showboat his frustration is definitely the most obvious, in terms of visibility. It isn’t the first time he’s let his petulant side out on the floor. That Randle saw Gobert — impossible not to with his long arm up and waving — and chose to ignore him, dribbling the ball into oblivion instead, is another concern. The biggest question around the Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns trade was fit — for playing style and chemistry. A slight detail that nearly gets lost in the sequence is that Jaden McDaniels hustled for a really long rebound, swung it to Randle, and the urgency of that move was immediately sapped by what transpired.
Taken individually, these would be wrinkles for a working team to smooth by the next match. And yes, both Randle and Gobert addressed the sequence, with Randle prompting media to “name a perfect family” and Gobert saying “people think great teams are the teams where the sky is always blue”. Normally, I’d enjoy an athlete beginning with a euphemism, in this case, it feels like aversion.
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
Analysis Memphis Grizzlies fans have several emerging storylines to follow a month into the season, including player performances and team dynamics. (Beale Street Bears)
Feel Good Scotty Pippen Jr. is carving his path in the NBA while following in his father’s footsteps, showcasing his potential and dedication. (Beale Street Bears)
Injury The Memphis Grizzlies have made a significant announcement regarding the injury status of star player Ja Morant. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Portland Trail Blazers will clash with the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum at 8:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Legacy Nikola Jokic continues to redefine basketball creativity with his full-court swat attempt against the Lakers, nearly achieving an incredible buzzer-beater despite the constraints of the Trent Tucker rule. (CBS Sports)
Biz NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill discusses his investment in women’s sports and managing Team USA, highlighting his active retirement and commitment to sports development. (The Ringer NBA Show)
Rumor Western Conference coaches and executives are reportedly frustrated with the East’s playoff picture, suggesting a shift to a 1-16 seeding format to enhance fairness and competition. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Nov 17, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) takes videos with his phone after the game against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
As we wrap up another thrilling week in the NBA, it’s time to reflect on the standout performances and crucial player updates that could impact your fantasy basketball strategy. With six games on the slate this past Sunday, there was no shortage of action and intrigue.
Player Updates and Injury News
One of the most significant updates this week involves Ja Morant, who has been upgraded to questionable. The Memphis Grizzlies have a consistent pattern of moving players from doubtful to questionable before they return to play, so Morant’s return seems imminent. Marcus Smart is also off the injury report, ready to make his comeback. However, the Grizzlies are still without Vince Williams Jr., who is sidelined for weeks, and Zach Edey.
In New Orleans, the return of key players is on the horizon. While Herb Jones remains out, Jordan Hawkins is back, and CJ McCollum is expected to play soon. Dejounte Murray has been upgraded to doubtful, indicating he might return later this week. These returns will undoubtedly shake up the rotations and fantasy implications for players like BJ Boston and ElfridPayton.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been idle since Wednesday, and Alex Caruso, who aggravated a hip injury, is out again. This extended absence is concerning for fantasy managers holding Caruso. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dieng’s fractured finger will keep him out for three to four weeks, opening up reserve minutes for Dillon Jones until Jaylin Williams returns.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Grizzlies podcasts.
Another Memphis injury tests the Grizzlies depth Injury report updates from the Memphis Grizzlies are becoming harder and harder to endure. Vince Williams Jr. will miss a significant amount of time due to a serious ankle issue. Hosts Joe Mullinax and Damichael Cole talk about how that will impact Memphis, plus point out the strengths of the Grizzlies ahead of a Saturday night game against the Bulls, on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
Desmond Bane responds, Taylor Jenkins becomes all-time Grizzlies coaching wins leader After a bad performance vs Denver, Desmond Bane had one of his best games of the season against the Denver Nuggets. In this episode, host Damichael Cole discusses Bane’s performance, Taylor Jenkins making history and Jaren Jackson Jr.'s continued evolution.
Memphis misses shots, opportunity to secure first NBA Cup win The Grizzlies were ice cold from beyond the arc Tuesday night in their loss to the Denver Nuggets. Their best shooter, Desmond Bane, was the biggest culprit. How does Memphis get right ahead of a game against a desperate Philadelphia 76ers squad? Host Joe Mullinax discusses that and more on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
