1 thing I liked from each 2022 Memphis Grizzlies rookie
1 thing I liked from each 2022 Memphis Grizzlies rookie
The Grizzlies' large 2022 rookie class provided some intrigue in their first seasons.
It caught many people by surprise when the Memphis Grizzlies brought in 5 rookies this past season (3 on the main roster, 2 on 2-way deals). It was a bet on the organization’s ability to identify and develop talent to churn out NBA-ready rotation players in year 1 — evident through the rookie production from Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, Desmond Bane, Xavier Tillman, and Ziaire Williams.
The process was a mixed bag for the Grizzlies, wavering production across the board. That’s also expected from most rookies. After all, there’s investment beyond one season. They’re not finished products.
There was good that came out of it, primarily shown through David Roddy’s post All-Star break groove and Kenneth Lofton Jr.’s conversion of his two-way contract. So, I want to highlight 1 trait that stood out to me among the Grizzlies’ 2022 rookie class.
David Roddy: attacking closeouts
David Roddy is a ball of clay for the Memphis Grizzlies — a prospect thrown into different roles and assignments to morph and materialize into a key role player for years down line. It’s hard to blame them for experimenting. His statistical profile at Colorado State shows little weaknesses in his game, displaying remarkable efficiency in multiple areas.
As a 6’5”, 255-pound basketball player, with his statistical profile, he could either slot as a wing or a “small-ball 4.” In his rookie season, the Grizzlies leaned into a 3-and-D role, as Roddy often mirrored Dillon Brooks’ defensive assignments within substitution patterns.
Production came in waves, often the case for rookies. However, his close to the season serves as momentum for growth in his sophomore campaign. He played a pivotal role in several regular season games, as well as Game 2 of the playoffs, towards the end of his rookie year.
Roddy’s advantage creation — particularly with closeouts — stood out the entire of his campaign. Once he gains the step on his defender, there are several ways he could finish en route to the hoop. He could utilize his physicality, barreling his body into defenders to generate separation. He blends it with craft, evident through his footwork — something reminiscent of his standout football days.
The biggest key in this skill in his game is the outside jumper. He shot 30.7% on 3 attempts per game from 3 this season. His indicators — free throw percentage (63.1%) and runners (37.5%, 0.75 PPP, 27th per Synergy Sports) — aren’t inspiring. However, he showed more upside in games he let it fly more often. In (14) games where he attempted 5 or more 3’s, he connected on 30 of his 79 triples (37.9%) — and the Grizzlies were 9-5 in those contests.
If defenses have to respect the jumpshot, it opens up more opportunities for Roddy to attack the basket and flash his scoring arsenal, similar to his game at Colorado State. Granted, there’s still growth within the intrigue. When driving, his field goal percentage is 44.4%, 4th-lowest on the team (excluding Danny Green and Jacob Gilyard). His vertical pop comes in waves — either his size hinders him from finishing among the trees, or he’s putting someone in the basket. His efficiency should rise with experience.
The tools are there for David Roddy springboard into a bonafide NBA rotation player in year 2.
Jake LaRavia: shot relocation
Jake LaRavia didn’t have the most ideal rookie season. He showed promise as a nice role player off the bench, but injuries at the wrong time shuffled him out of the rotation. When he played at the beginning of the season, he was good.
Before exiting the rotation in late November (16 games), LaRavia averaged 5.1 points and shot 38.8% from 3 on 3.1 attempts in 18.5 minutes per game. During this time, he made high-IQ as a connective piece on both sides of the ball.
Inconsistent playing time tanked his 3-point percentage down to 33.3. Consistent playing time though often yielded good results for his shooting. Along with the aforementioned splits from the beginning of the season, he shot 36.4% from 3 on 7.6 attempts per game with the Hustle in assignment games.
A common element within his triples — a key trait for 3-point shooters — was his shot relocation. For shooters to generate clean looks without gaining separation off the dribble, identifying the right windows to receive the ball and fire a 3 before the defense recovers is essential in today’s NBA. It doesn’t even have to be flashy or quick; a subtle movement can often do the trick. LaRavia demonstrated that skill early in his NBA career.
Beyond the upside with his shooting stroke and efficiency, letting it fly was often a criticism of LaRavia’s game — something the Hustle assignments were designed to correct. We have to see how that translates to a role in the rotation. Shooting aside, when teams are vying to take away the jumper, how can he remain valuable offensively? Is it within the connective elements offensively — ball movement, advantage creation, and cutting? Defensively, he still needs to find his ideal position. Will his team defense and event creation outweigh his foot speed?
Regardless, LaRavia is a piece I want to see for another season before writing off. He’s a 6’8” forward that demonstrates value as a knockdown shooter, connector, and defender.
If he can find the window to utilize his sweet shooting stroke, he can surprise people in year 2 — just like Zach Kleiman predicts.
Kenneth Lofton Jr.: buckets
I can sum up my thoughts on Kenneth Lofton Jr. in one viral meme:
He may not be a Zach Randolph reincarnate that people in Grizz Nation dub him to be, but he’s an absolute bucket worthy of a spot on the main roster. The setting usually didn’t matter to Lofton — Summer League, preseason, G League, regular season — he was going to fill up the scoring column. With the G League, he averaged 20.2 points and 10.5 rebounds on 53.9% shooting (60.6% on 2’s) in 17 games — en route to winning G League Rookie of the Year. On the main roster, his offense shined in the team’s marvelous comeback in San Antonio and in the regular season finale where he scored 42 points.
The Grizzlies don’t have many “I’m going to put my head down and get a bucket” guys around its core. Lofton is one of those players though. He bulldozes opponents on his way to the rim while boasting great touch and footwork inside the arc.
Lofton’s role going forward will be interesting. He likely needs to share the floor with Jaren Jackson Jr. and other plus defenders to hide his woes on that side of the ball. However, he’s shown at any level he can go get a bucket when called upon. Now, we wait and see what his production does on the NBA level with a larger sample size.
Kennedy Chandler: change of pace
Kennedy Chandler was unfortunately released on the last day of the season to make room for Kenneth Lofton Jr. However, he still projects to factor into the NBA in some capacity.
Chandler can generate steals and deflections, while flashing upside at the point-of-attack. More intriguingly, his speed makes him a nice change of pace in staggered lineups.
Chandler’s lack of size and scoring pop lowers his NBA ceiling. With the increase of two-way spots though, he could (should) land on a NBA team next season.
Vince Williams Jr.: two-way efficiency
Vince Williams Jr. only had two games with the Grizzlies where he played rotation minutes — including running all 48 minutes in the regular season finale. I want to run through some numbers from his Hustle stint (8 games) that stood out:
17.9 points on 45.7% shooting from 3 (16-35) and 82.5% (33-40) on 2’s
8.0 rebounds
1.6 steals
1.293 PPP in transition (78.6 eFG%)
1.611 PPP off cuts (85.7 eFG%)
He’ll be on a two-way contract for another season, but there’s NBA intrigue in his game. He’s a 6’5” wing with a 7’0” wingspan, good lateral quickness, and connective two-way skills — also modeling his game after Herb Jones.
Keep an eye on Vince Williams.
Let’s test something out to close…
Among the Grizzlies’ 2022 rookies, whose stock are you buying going forward?
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