There are tough losses…And then there are expected losses on a team’s schedule…I’m ready to put this in the latter category and move on.
After all, they were the defending champions. And you better believe they played like that last night in Denver. The Nuggets looked like a well-oiled machine, finishing their business as usual.
So what about the Grizzlies? They played as a team with players on 2 days, 10 days and guys returning from injury. A team that is fighting to get to the end of the season.
Now, all that to say the optimal part of the passage above? This is the “return from injury” time. Because after recovering Desmond Bane, Memphis must receive another gift this week.
The return of Brandon Clarke.
As the season – and the Grizzlies – gear up for the season’s conclusion… There’s a chance to get most of their pieces back on the floor. And when does this happen? They could bless us by seeing what this team is capable of.
As Memphis jockeys for the draft, here are two things from the game that I appreciated. As well as one thing I didn’t do.
2 things I liked…
- Lamar Stevens, back and winning his place
After Desmond Bane blessed us with his return, Lamar Stevens was next in line. After being sidelined due to captor strain, Stevens returned to action. And you wouldn’t know it? He did what he’s done all season.
Made winning plays and continued to prove his worth to the Grizzlies.
Last night against the Nuggets, Stevens was Memphis’ best player. His stat line? Well, he came up with the following… 19 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST and 1 STL with absurd levels of efficiency. He shot the ball 6 of 10 from the field and made all 7 of his shots from the charity stripe.
All seven.
For a team that has struggled with free throws in the past, this is huge. And if we’re being honest… Being able to go out and shoot his shot like that is something the Grizzlies are looking for. And sought after. And sought after.
They found GG Jackson II…could Stevens be another diamond the team found in the rough during this “lost” season? When you consider the defense he also brings? It’s going to be hard to refuse him.
By cleaning the glass, here are his on/off stats with the Grizzlies this season… He allows -9.5 PTS per 100 possessions. That’s in the 97th percentile in the league. Meanwhile, guys have an eFG% of -8.5% when shooting against him. That? Well, that’s in the 100th percentile in the league.
Pair that with his ability to go out and score the ball? Like he did last night? And it’s a hoop. And he’s doing his best to prove that he’s part of this team’s long-term plans.
- Brandon Clarke, back as soon as possible
Doubtful. That was the designation given to Brandon Clarke before last night’s game.
It was just over a year ago – and in Denver, mind you – when BC suffered an Achilles injury. The same injury that kept him sidelined. Until tomorrow, it seems.
Because what comes after “Doubtful”? ‘Questionable’. And what does “Questionable” usually mean for this Grizzlies team? When does this appear on the injury report?
Ding ding ding! If you said “Doubtful means they’ll play, right?” » then I am inclined to agree with you!
If this iteration of the front office has shown us anything… It’s that the “Questionable” designation means this player is going to play. We’ve seen it many times before.
If the trend continues, Clarke will be upgraded to “questionable” on Wednesday… A home game against the Lakers… And he’s playing for the first time in over a year.
I, for one, can’t wait to see British Columbia again. And the final three weeks of the season might just give us a taste of what’s to come after all. And it can be beautiful.
…And 1 thing I didn’t do…
- That damn three-point percentage
25.0%. That’s twenty, plus five and one percent. 11 of 44. Twenty-five percent from deep.
That won’t be enough in the NBA. I don’t care what you say. To compete in the modern NBA, you need to shoot all three balls better. At least if you want to win matches.
How did Memphis perform? To get to this 25.0%?
Of the? He was 2 of 6…Jaren Jackson Jr.? 1 of 7…GG? 2 out of 8… Santi Aldama? 1 of 3…Stevens? 0 for 1…Jake LaRavia? 0 of 7… DeJon Jarreau 1 of 4…
The only Grizzlies player worth his salt last night? Scotty Pippen Jr. who at least made 3 of 6.
Listen, I understand. There are nights when your shot doesn’t fall. Plain and simple. But 25.0%? I don’t like seeing that number in an NBA game at all.
Photo credit: (David Zalubowksi/AP Photo)
