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.
Zach Edey is going to be a problem
Dec 26, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) reacts with guard Ja Morant (12) during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Sure, it could’ve been fun focusing on the historic offensive output the Memphis Grizzlies displayed on Thursday night. The most points scored in team history - and the team feels they could’ve scored more! - is worthy of celebrating. But no disrespect to the Toronto Raptors, that franchise has won one away game all season long. Maybe a record shouldn’t have been broken, but the offense should have thrived.
And that level of output should not be expected moving forward from the team as a whole. Zach Edey individually, though?
That’s a different matter entirely.
On a recent episode of Locked on Grizzlies, I spoke about how Edey evolved in-game again Ivica Zubac of the Los Angeles Clippers. Zubac won that individual battle to be sure, but a lot of the victory came at the expense of Jaren Jackson Jr. (who it may be time to just call it and say he’s not a center - at least not against actual more traditional centers).
While Edey did get pushed around early, he found his football as the game went on and even started using some of Zubac’s own tricks against him. Positioning under the rim, utilizing his 7'4" 290 pound frame to shove a bit in physical play...in the span of a 48-minute NBA game Edey grew.
Figuratively, of course. Not literally.
Fast foward to the Toronto Raptors game last night - the one with the record-breaking offense. Edey was the star of the show with Toronto unable to defend him since their traditional center, Jakob Poeltl, was out with an injury. Kelly Olynyk could not handle him, nor could anyone else.
The key, though, was how he achieved his double-double. It wasn’t as the low block mauler that he was at Purdue on his way to back-to-back National Player of the Year awards. He hit perimeter shots. He made passes to slashers out in space. He collapsed as the roll man from a variety of angles.
He belongs in this NBA - and with these Memphis Grizzlies.
Memphis does not need him to be this caliber of offensive weapon every night. There’s a decent chance he’s not even the best rookie on the team - Jaylen Wells (17 points on 5-10 shooting from three) is putting up numbers himself and was a 2nd round selection, not a Lottery one.
The Grizzlies also still have stars like Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane who have both the experience and talent to carry the offensive burden on most nights.
But it’s awesome to see a polarizing player like Edey find himself in the NBA setting. He adds a dimension to this team - a physical, dominating force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor - it sorely needs.
And when the opportunity presents itself, he is getting better at taking advantage of that advantage he possesses.
Which will only make the deepest team in the NBA that much deeper.
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (left) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right) talk before the game at Chase Center. | Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The ‘Things NBA fans get themselves worked up about’ category got a new entry this month, and it reached a fever pitch over the Christmas Day slate of games —ratings. Specifically, broadcast ratings.
It’s a subject Commissioner Adam Silver is often asked about in his pressers, especially those that precede the NBA’s tent-pole events like the In-Season Tournament, All-Star Weekend, the Finals, and Summer League. It also comes up around the annual Board of Governors meeting in early September. It makes sense for Silver to talk about it, given that he’s the league Commissioner, and because he’s been at the helm for broadcast contract negotiations and renegotiations. If this is all making your eyes cross, good, that helps to prove my point.
Silver, team owners, and broadcast executives are the only people who should care about the NBA’s broadcast ratings. It’s their job. Whether numbers are up or down should be of no concern to fans, casual or die-hard, because they ultimately have no bearing on the viewing experience, nor is it up to fans to “fix” anything.
Traditionally, this would’ve been self-evident, but in the contemporary era of fandom — especially NBA fandom — there’s a desire to critique and cosplay as team or league executives. Everything from down to the decimal point salary analysis in trade machinations, on-court performance and ways to improve athlete “production”, concerns for whether front offices are over-spending (they’re billionaires, they can afford it), and now, worries over marketing of the league.
Broadcast ratings are just one metric. The decline in “traditional” television ratings has more to do with how younger fans find and interact with basketball than with some phantom threat of malaise or disinterest. Cable is expensive, and younger audiences almost exclusively stream their sports. Case in point ESPN’s announcement on Christmas Day of an 84% spike in viewership, a day when many, many people head to their family home and have cable television to watch and plenty of free time on their hands.
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 The Memphis Grizzlies are facing a pressing issue, but there are strategic solutions available. The team’s defensive struggles can be addressed by implementing a few key changes. Read the in-depth analysis to understand how these adjustments can steer them back on track. (Beale Street Bears)
Milestone In a historic moment, Zach Edey of the Grizzlies achieved a remarkable feat against the Raptors, cementing his place in NBA history. Learn more about Edey’s achievement and its significance. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury During the game against the Raptors, the Memphis Grizzlies made an important injury announcement. This update could impact the team’s upcoming matches. Stay informed with the latest injury news. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Grizzlies will face off against the Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center at 8:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Friday, Dec. 27 | 7:00PM | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA | Get Tickets
Grizzlies @ Thunder
Sunday, Dec. 29 | 6:00PM | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK | Get Tickets
Grizzlies @ Suns
Tuesday, Dec. 31 | 7:00PM | Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Christmas Day Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Spectacular: Must-Adds and Droppable Players
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (right) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
As we celebrate Christmas Day, it’s time for a fantasy basketball waiver wire spectacular. Let’s dive into the most added players, must-roster options, and those you can consider dropping.
The most added player over the last 48 hours is Trayce Jackson-Davis. With two solid games in a row and increased minutes, he’s a no-brainer add for now. Keep an eye on his playing time, as anything over 22 minutes makes him worth rostering.
Noah Clowney is another intriguing addition. His shooting has improved from his college days, and he’s getting significant minutes due to injuries. While I’m not sure he’ll provide top-70 value, he’s worth a look in most leagues.
When it comes to must-roster players (under 50% rostered on Yahoo), consider these options:
1. Goga Bitadze: Despite a recent ankle sprain and ejection, his floor has risen significantly.
2. Ben Simmons: Roster him now and worry about potential issues later.
3. Yves Missi: While I’m skeptical about his role when the Pelicans are fully healthy, he should be rostered for now.
4. Bilal Coulibaly: After a cold streak, he’s regained his form and confidence.
5. Ayo Dosunmu: Although I have limited faith in his long-term upside, he’s a must-roster player for the time being.
On the flip side, there are some players you can consider dropping. Remember, “droppable” doesn’t mean you must drop them, but rather that it’s acceptable to do so if needed. These include Gradey Dick, Dennis Schröder, Onyeka Okongwu, Rui Hachimura, Jaden McDaniels, and Jaden Ivey.
Looking at hot players, Larry Nance Jr. has been impressive lately, ranking 40th over the last week. While I don’t expect this to hold long-term, he’s worth rostering for now. Other notable hot players include Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jake LaRavia, and Dean Wade.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Grizzlies podcasts.
Ja Morant’s poster dunk on Victor Wembanyama highlights Memphis Grizzlies win over Spurs This is the Ja Morant we all know and love. The guy confident and audacious enough to DUNK ON VICTOR WEMBANYAMA! The guard that can dish out assists at an elite level while limiting turnovers. Memphis Grizzlies fans saw superstar Ja Morant on Wednesday night. How could you not be entertained? Host Joe Mullinax breaks down the game, Memphis’ depth, and GG Jackson’s slow but steady return progressing through the G-League on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
Are the Houston Rockets a bad matchup for the Memphis Grizzlies? Is it a silly question? Sure, the Grizzlies have lost three straight to the Rockets. But Memphis collapsed in the fourth quarter while having a double-digit lead. So who would have the advantage in a seven game series - the Grizzlies, or Houston? Hosts Damichael Cole and Joe Mullinax break that down and preview Memphis’ game with Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
Memphis Grizzlies crumble in fourth quarter, lose again vs Rockets The Memphis Grizzlies dropped their third game this season against the Houston Rockets. In this episode, host Damichael Cole recaps the game, discusses key Taylor Jenkins decisions and provides an update on GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr.
