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.
Pace and space should keep Memphis among best in the west
Nov 17, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) reacts with guard Desmond Bane (22) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Entering tonight’s NBA Cup (BECAUSE IT’S THE CUP, BROTHER!) game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis is sitting at the proverbial big kid’s table among NBA elites. It isn’t just because of their current standing in the Western Conference - although a half game out of 3rd place is pretty good. Especially when you consider the Eastern Conference is not particular strong beyond the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and maybe Orlando Magic.
The current 7 seed in the east (Indiana, who the Grizzlies play Sunday afternoon) would be tied for 11th in the west.
It’s actually because they are among the league’s best still in offensive (5th) and defensive (6th) ratings, per Cleaning the Glass. And while some may see that run as a fluke, there are reasons to buy what Memphis is doing being sustainable as the season grinds forth.
For starters, a current starter is currently playing below his lofty standards. No, this is not a space where advocating for making Desmond Bane a 6th Man is allowed. It is fair, though, to acknowledge that Bane is currently off to a start that would put this season among the worst of his NBA career offensively.
No one is more aware of that than Bane himself. So why think that he will snap out of it? First, his defensive (73rd percentile in block percentage) and rebounding (100th percentile among wings per Cleaning the Glass) numbers suggest it’s not for a lack of effort. Though his shooting numbers are paltry - his current 48.7% effective shooting mark would make for his worst of his career by ALMOST SEVEN POINTS - what do you believe more. The current 12 game sample size? Or the roughly 200 before it that had him among the most efficient perimeter players in the entire NBA?
I’ll take the latter, personally. That will only add to the depth of production that Memphis currently enjoys...and that depth is indeed impressive. 13 players have logged over 100 minutes so far for the Grizzlies this season, per Basketball Reference. 11 have played 240 or more, and #12 on the list (Marcus Smart) figures to break the 200 minute plateau tonight (he’s played 180 minutes so far).
Considering how Memphis is 2nd in Pace, those minutes being distributed the way they have been may be necessary. And unfortunately (maybe not unfortunately) that may mean a very quiet trading period for the Grizzlies. Eventually Zach Edey, Vince Williams Jr., and GG Jackson will join the Memphis party.
A 15-man rotation seems...unlikely. But a 12-man one featuring those three names replacing the likes of Jay Huff, Jake LaRavia, and a Luke Kennard perhaps? That is a team that just upgraded their already deep roster, plus maintains lineup flexibility and knows if injuries occur (AND BOY DO THEY OCCUR) there are capable NBA rotation players waiting in the wings to contribute.
Nov 27, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts to a call against the Sacramento Kings in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images | Brad Rempel/Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Anthony Edwards went off on Wednesday night, and it wasn’t in the game.
The Timberwolves star had a lot of frustration to share after Minnesota lost to the Kings, and tallied their fourth straight loss in a row.
“We thought defense was our identity, and it’s not looking like that,” Edwards said in the locker room. “Our identity right now, me and Mike [Conley] was talking about it, I think is we soft as hell as a team, internally. Not to the other team, but like internally we soft, like we can’t talk to each other. Just a bunch of little kids, just like we playing with a bunch of little kids. Like everybody, like the whole team, we just can’t talk to each other and we gotta figure it out, man, because we can’t go down this road.”
He spoke at length, not holding much back, but the most interesting flag came in Edwards comments about the team as a whole. He noted that everyone on the team had their “own agenda”, which made it particularly difficult for him, as the de facto leader, to get them on the same page. Wolves beat reporter for the Star Tribune, Chris Hine, said Edwards lamented the team was “growing apart”, partly because it felt so difficult to have honest conversations with teammates.
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
Trade The Memphis Grizzlies have identified three potential targets for the upcoming trade deadline, aiming to bolster their roster for a deep playoff run. (Beale Street Bears)
Injury Ja Morant makes a cryptic injury announcement on Instagram, causing uncertainty about his availability for upcoming games. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Grizzlies host the Pelicans in the latest NBA Cup group stage matchup. Read the preview.(NBA)
Biz Former Timberwolves GM and current president of Paris Basketball David Kahn predicts the NBA will be in Europe “within two years” (EuroHoops)
LaMelo Ball Is Out On Friday - What Are The Fantasy Basketball Implications?
Nov 27, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) reacts after scoring a three point basket during the first half against the Miami Heat at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
As we gear up for a packed NBA schedule, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the game with the latest injury updates and strategic streaming options. With ten games on the horizon, there’s plenty to consider for your fantasy basketball lineup.
Injury Updates and Streaming Strategies
The New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets face off in an early game, and the injury report has thrown a few curveballs. Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson are out for the Knicks, while the Hornets are missing key players like Mark Williams, Nick Richards, and Miles Bridges. The unexpected absence of LaMelo Ball due to a calf issue adds another layer of complexity. With Ball sidelined, Vasa Micic becomes a prime streaming target, offering value for both Friday and Saturday games. Keep an eye on Jalen Brunson, who seems to be finding his rhythm again, which is a positive sign for fantasy managers.
On the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks front, Darius Garland’s recent dip in usage and shooting is worth monitoring. Meanwhile, Trae Young’s impressive assist numbers continue to shine, despite some Achilles concerns. For streaming, Ty Jerome is a viable option if Dean Wade and Caris LeVert remain out, while DeAndre Hunter offers potential upside for the Hawks.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Grizzlies podcasts.
Marcus Smart’s big night leads Memphis Grizzlies to fourth straight win Marcus Smart scored 25 points in a 131-111 Grizzlies win on Wednesday night. In this episode, host Damichael Cole breaks down Smart’s performance, Jake LaRavia and the bench depth, plus Brandon Clarke’s growth.
Being thankful for a better season start for the Memphis Grizzlies This time last year the Memphis Grizzlies were 3-13 overall, 0-8 at home, and without their superstar Ja Morant. Today? While Morant will once again be out due to injury, Memphis is back to balling out at home and being in the postseason mix. Hosts Joe Mullinax and Damichael Cole discuss all that and preview Grizzlies/Pistons on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
Ja Morant reminds NBA he’s the most must-see star in Grizzlies win over Blazers No disrespect to the Luka Doncics and Nikola Jokics of the world, but the king of box office for the NBA is back. Ja Morant returned for the Grizzlies on Monday night and helped pace Memphis in a blowout win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Host Joe Mullinax breaks down the game, Marcus Smart coming off the bench, and more on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
