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.
Grizzlies stars get by with a little help from their friends
Nov 27, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) reacts after a three point basket during the first half against the Detroit Pistons at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! We at Locked on Grizzlies are grateful that you make us part of your Memphis Grizzlies content consumption every time an episode drops or a newsletter hits your inbox!
There’s plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. One thing that the stars of the Grizzlies (Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane) are especially happy about this turkey day?
That this Memphis team is DEEP.
In a blowout victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, Desmond Bane continued with his offensive struggles. Jaren Jackson Jr. played one of the worst games he’s had all season. And Ja Morant did not even play in the contest due to a knee contusion.
So in a game that the team’s superstar did not suit up and their two other star-level players shot a combined 6-22, Memphis won comfortably.
It turns out that Bane, Jackson Jr., and Morant have friends this Thanksgiving. Lots of them.
Their best buddy on Wednesday night was one Marcus Smart, who appears to be taking to his new reserve role like a pie takes to the dessert table this time of year. Smart was a scalding hot 7-11 from beyond the arc on his way to a game-high 25 points scored.
That elite shooting won’t happen every night. But the energy he provided off the bench, the defensive plays (3 steals) and other winning-style stats (5 assists and 4 rebounds) he racked up...those can absolutely stick around. And as long as he stays healthy, Smart can be a difference maker for Memphis as a sixth man-type.
But even with Marcus’ player of the game performance, he was not the only Grizzlies roster member that thrived. Jake LaRavia continued what has been a strong season for him to this point (19 points on 9 shots). Santi Aldama showed some aggression on his way to multiple made point baskets. Scotty Pippen Jr. bounced back from a quiet game against the Trail Blazers and helped push the pace off of rebounds.
Brandon Clarke looked more spry than he has in other opportunities to play. He with 13 points was one of four Grizzlies players to score 13 or more - and none of the others (Pippen Jr./LaRavia/Smart) are named Bane, Jackson Jr., or Morant.
What a gift this holiday season. Memphis has a distinct “big three”. But now more than perhaps ever, the Grizzlies roster does not need them to be big every time out. To run a Pistons team (admittedly without Cade Cunningham) off the floor even when their best players don’t have their best games is significant.
It allows for minutes to be limited for a team pushing the pace offensively. It enables players like Ja Morant (and Zach Edey and Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson, goodness this team is deep) to not rush back from injury.
And it creates confidence in Memphis being able to win as a collective. No one, or two or three, player or players must excel to win.
That reality can propel you to a new level of success. And lead to a run of wins for a Memphis team that needs them if they want to return to the playoffs.
Giving thanks for a better-than-expected rookie class
Happy Thanksgiving! To give you something to talk about with your undoubtedly NBA-fluent families and friends, here are some rookie rankings to chew over.
1. Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers
Over his last ten games, McCain has averaged 23 points per game (top 25 in the league in that span) on solid efficiency, including 39% from deep on crazy volume. Philly hasn’t had much to cheer about this season, but McCain’s surprising on-ball creation and superb off-ball movement have Philly fans seeing a future star (wait, maybe that’s just their court). I’m obsessed with this little moonwalk he uses to shake OG Anunoby juuuust enough to bury a shuriken in his eye:
McCain moonwalks into a three over OG Anunoby
McCain likely won’t score like this when the team’s fully healthy (and he’s cooled off the last two games), but the fact that he can is a great sign for the team’s present and future.
2. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Castle has risen to second place thanks to an excellent recent stretch. Since becoming a starter, Castle’s averaged 15 points, three boards, and five assists while playing ferocious defense.
Castle is incredibly versatile. At nearly 6’6” pre-shoes and pre-hair, he has the size and speed to fill any number of roles. As I wrote about at length here, he’s quickly becoming the perfect amorphous fit next to Victor Wembanyama.
Although his three-point accuracy is still developing, Castle’s confidence in his shot is the skeleton key that unlocks the rest of his offensive game. And the more effective he is on offense, the more opportunity he’s given to create absolute havoc on defense.
I’m particularly intrigued by his ability to be a faux-big man in the screen and roll:
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
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Trade Three Grizzlies players are most likely to be moved before the trade deadline, highlighting potential roster changes for Memphis. (Beale Street Bears)
Injury A new Ja Morant injury update confirms he will miss the game against the Pistons due to a continued absence. (Sports Illustrated)
Must Read LaMelo’s proclivity for fouls, how many wins Philadelphia needs for the play-in, examining OKC’s defense, and more. (ESPN+)
Feel Good The Pistons’ willingness to spend, the Nets’ and Lakers’ new coach, and more things for each NBA team to be thankful for. (CBS Sports)
Analysis A roundtable of experts discusses the league’s biggest storylines after the first month of the season. (Fansided)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
In case you missed it...
Nov 26, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) on the floor after a collision with San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Another Lauri Markkanen Injury For Fantasy Basketball Managers To Digest | Lauri Markkanen’s recent knee injury could sideline him for at least a week, impacting fantasy basketball strategies. This opens opportunities for players like John Collins, Keyonte George, and Brice Sensabaugh to increase their roles and fantasy value.
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues | Monday’s NBA action saw significant fantasy basketball impacts, with Gary Harris and Jalen Suggs suffering hamstring injuries, potentially increasing roles for Cole Anthony and Anthony Black.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Grizzlies podcasts.
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