One purpose for the pessimism concerning the Memphis Grizzlies returning to the playoffs could possibly be that they’ll depend on a rookie.
A rookie middle on a crew making an attempt to achieve the highest six spots within the Western Convention playoffs?
When was the final time this occurred?
Final season, in actual fact. Twice.
Okay, so Chet Holmgren, finalist for Rookie of the Yr for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder with 57 wins, is a little bit of a cheater. Holmgren was a second-round draft decide who spent a 12 months marinating within the main leagues earlier than lastly seeing the sector.
However the Grizzlies need not look far for a extra related lineup. They’ll take a look at the standings in their very own Southwest division, the place twelfth decide Derek Energetic II began 42 of his 55 video games as a real freshman for the 50-win Dallas Mavericks, who reached the NBA Finals. Energetic gave Mavericks star Luka Doncic a high-percentage finisher to focus on on the rim and the crew’s protection an anchor within the paint.
