THE Memphis Grizzlies completed preseason play Friday night time with a 114-109 loss to the Miami Warmth, and now it is time to get right down to the true deal.
All offseason, the Grizzlies have been probably the most talked about groups within the NBA. Accidents restricted their manufacturing final season and a few key gamers have but to debut for the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
Memphis installs a brand new play-centered offense at quickest tempo in franchise historical past. In doing so, the Grizzlies are additionally making an attempt to verify 7-foot-4 rookie heart Zach Edey hits his put up.
The protection additionally will increase the stress. Previews of the brand new highlights had been offered all through the pre-season.
Now we now have a big sufficient pattern dimension to overreact to how the Grizzlies carried out within the preseason. The important thing phrase right here is overreact.
Listed below are 5 overreactions to the Grizzlies’ season.
Ja Morant and Desmond Bane appear to be one of the best backcourts within the NBA
We solely noticed it twice, however on this case, twice was good. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane’s video games have at all times meshed properly. Morant is extra of a slasher whereas Bane punished groups in depth. Now, each males are taking their confidence to new ranges and filling up the stat sheet.
There’s an actual likelihood that each guards will every common over 20 factors and 5 assists per sport this season. Morant has carried out it in every of the final three seasons, and Bane had his first season of a minimum of 20 factors and 5 assists final yr. Within the preseason finale, Morant completed with 17 factors and 6 assists in three quarters. Bane added a team-high 19 factors and 7 assists. Thoughts you, it was in three quarters. Transfer over, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. The very best backcourt is in Memphis.
The Grizzlies is not going to be a great capturing workforce
Memphis nonetheless does not appear to be a workforce with high-level capturing. Bane and Kennard are two of one of the best within the NBA, however who can Memphis belief past that? Marcus Good, Morant and Zach Edey have not proven a lot 3-point capturing within the preseason. Rookie second-round decide Jaylen Wells is actually a shooter, however the minutes will not be obtainable to him to maneuver Memphis far sufficient up the capturing leaderboard. The Grizzlies completed no increased than seventeenth in 3-point capturing beneath Taylor Jenkins, they usually do not look a lot better proper now.
Zach Edey is able to win Rookie of the Yr
Zach Edey informed media his confidence was “excessive” after Friday’s preseason finale in opposition to the Miami Warmth. Bane and Morant emphasize feeding the ball to Edey, and Jenkins stated the workforce put in performs throughout the closing week of preseason that includes Edey. The massive man will get the ball and may impose his will. Memphis, the rookie of the yr is right here.
The bench is underperforming
Okay, possibly we are able to blame accidents for wiping out a lot of the second unit’s scoring energy, however nobody who performed Friday stood out in a serious approach over the previous two weeks. Scotty Pippen Jr. has been spectacular defensively, however his turnovers have impacted his effectivity. Jake LaRavia and John Konchar have not constantly taken benefit of the additional minutes they’ve with Vince Williams Jr., Kennard and GG Jackson injured.
Santi Aldama may have an distinctive filming season
Santi Aldama should not be capturing 33.3% for his profession from 3-point vary. That is the season the place he goes above the league common at a minimum of 36%. He has good mechanics and his confidence is rising. He completed the preseason making 5 of his closing seven 3-pointers. Its breakout capturing season is now.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat author for The Industrial Attraction. Contact Damichaël at [email protected]. Comply with Damichael on X, previously referred to as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This text was initially revealed on Memphis Industrial Attraction: Overreactions from Ja Morant, Zach Edey and Memphis Grizzlies earlier than the season
