Grizzlies score 2nd preseason victory against Bucks
The Memphis Grizzlies continue preseason success with Tuesday night win, showcasing intriguing, encouraging performance from the stars and wings.
Though preseason basketball isn’t always pretty, the Memphis Grizzlies showcased elements you wanted to see in this tune-up phase of the season.
The star players — Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. — look great and ready to lead the team this season. In the midst of an open challenge for minutes all the wing, Ziaire Williams, David Roddy, and Jake LaRavia are making sure it’s a tough decision with their solid play. Despite poor outside shooting (another sub-30% night from 3), they’re generating good looks in this revamped offense, and outside jumpers should fall as they get in their groove. And obviously, they won — always love to see that.
Anyways, let’s recap last night’s action with the other recap format 1-9-1 (1 play, 9 player thoughts, 1 take)
1 Play
Ziaire Williams showcased real poise in the pick-and-roll last night, utilizing it to get to his mid-range or set up the roll-man for a bucket. This pass, in particular, caught my eye — as he leveraged the threat of the jumper to initiate a jump-pass to a rolling Xavier Tillman for a higher-percentage scoring opportunity.
It’s a product of the game slowing down for him, highlight an “attack” mentality he’s embracing as a playmaker:
The game feels so much slower right now. Just playing at my pace, allowing the screener to come to me, not rushing. I always tell the big — whether it’s Junior, X, Trip — roll with me, I’m going to hit you. I love to pass. Me personally, I’d take an assist over a score each day of the week. I’m 6’10”, I don’t really have to worry about someone coming from behind me and block the shot.
Williams throwing in pick-and-roll sequence in side actions is a wrinkle that could help elevate the Grizzlies’ half-court offense and utilize Ziaire’s strengths as an offensive player.
9 Player Thoughts
Desmond Bane: 21 points (8-14 shooting, 4-6 from 3), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block. Bane popped in the final moments of the first half, drilling a pair of 3’s and getting to the rim in “Downhill Des” fashion. He continued to find his teammates for scoring opportunities in the pick-and-roll and in transition. It was an superb performance that served as an emphatic reminder that he’s ready to lead this team to start the season.
Jaren Jackson Jr: 17 points (5-9 shooting, 2-4 from 3), 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists. Jackson has been an imposing force inside, already accumulating 9 blocks through 2 preseason games. The Grizzlies continue to expand the horizons of his live-dribble game, empowering him to aggressively operate in the perimeter — en route to baskets or trips to the free throw line.
Ziaire Williams: 10 points (4-9 shooting, 1-4 from 3), 2 assists, 2 stocks. If the Grizzlies are still looking for their answer for the 5th starter on opening night, Ziaire Williams made a compelling case. He simply looked more confident on the floor. He made decisive decisions off the dribble — whether it was in the pick-and-roll for an assist, or a closeout attack for a jam. He threw in a couple mid-range jumpers too. Defensively, he did a great job bothering Malik Beasley, who was getting hot early in last night’s game. Williams probably made the best impression of any wing player thus far for early minutes and a large role.
Santi Aldama: 6 points (2-11 shooting, 0-6 from 3), 7 rebounds. It was an off night for Aldama offensively. He didn’t seem to be in control, forcing and rushing shots. It didn’t faze him too much, as he fought hard on the glass (7 rebounds), but also drew 5 fouls (4 in the 1st half). Hopefully, he bounces back to tune up for the regular season.
Luke Kennard: 7 points (3-6 shooting, 1-3 from 3), 4 rebounds. It was a quiet night for Kennard from deep, only connecting on 1 of his 3 attempts — no, you should not worry. He showcased some poise and fluidity off the bounce to get into the mid-range, a key component of his game if teams run him off the line.
David Roddy: 11 points (4-8 shooting, 1-2 from 3), 4 rebounds, 3 assists. Roddy struggled in the first half driving to the basket, unable to explode through contact for finishes. In the second half though, he was powering past the defense, making 0.5-second decisions off the catch to generate and-1 opportunities — or looks for his teammates.
Kenneth Lofton Jr.: 8 points (3-10 shooting, 0-5 from 3), 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists. Lofton didn’t have a good scoring mark, an aspect of his game that’s endeared him to the Grizzlies’ fanbase. However, he managed to impact the game with his hustle — tallying 4 rebounds (3 offensive) and 2 blocks. Continuing to find ways to add value aside from the scoring department will be key for Lofton to lock down regular rotation minutes.
Jake LaRavia: 16 points (5-14 shooting, 3-10 from 3), 6 rebounds. Last night, LaRavia was slotted in the 10-man rotation, and he stayed aggressive both off the bounce and as a catch-and-shoot 3-point weapon. Obviously, you want the percentages to improve, and they should with a normalized role and in a normal rotation context. He also stayed active defensively, crashing the glass (6 rebounds) and proving help off the drive.
Derrick Rose: 2 points (1-5 shooting), 7 assists, 4 rebounds. Rose didn’t quite pop off the scoring column like he did in the opener, as he struggled getting to his spots downhill. He set his teammates up well though, generating 7 assists. That sort of combination between shot creation and playmaking will be important from Rose off the bench, especially in the 1st 25 minutes.
1 Take
The rim pressure has been rock solid, and will open up the offense
The Memphis Grizzlies haven’t shot the ball well in preseason, but they’ve done a great job attacking the basket and getting into the paint. In postgame, Taylor Jenkins said he wanted to have more players that could touch the paint. The dividends are paying off thus far in that department, and it’s an element that extends into enhancing the offense.
Good rim pressure yields better scoring opportunities. It also opens up the floor, as the defense has to recover and help. It generates drive-and-kick opportunities — which could lead to open 3’s, or another drive with a more clear lane to the hoop against a scrambling defense.
It’s an element of the offense that’s been evident through the entire roster. Last night, all 3 young wings showed aggressiveness with quick decisions to the tin — and making plays out of those drives, as well. They’ve continued to tap into Jaren Jackson’s live-dribble creation at his size, and he’s showing early improvements as a driver.
As shots begin to fall from 3, the Grizzlies should open up the floor even more with rim pressure — whether it’s better lanes for drives, or great scoring looks from beyond the arc.
The Grizzlies hit the road for the rest of preseason, traveling to Atlanta tomorrow night for a game against the Hawks.
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