Jaren Jackson Jr. was given the All-Star Game Nod as Grizzlies Sit in Second in Western Conference
The Memphis Grizzlies are off to a solid start to the 2024-25 NBA Season as they sit in second place in the Western Conference and first place in the Southwest Division with a 36-18 record. Jaren Jackson Jr. participated in his second NBA All-Star game this past weekend, while rookies Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey both played in the Rising Stars game.
The Good
Memphis only trails behind the one seeded Oklahoma City Thunder (44-10) in the Western Conference (Grizzlies are 0-2 against them this season). So far, the Grizzlies have thrived in the FedExForum, carrying a 21-6 record at home with a more balanced 15-12 record on the road.
Coach Taylor Jenkin’s fast-paced offense continues to show its benefits as the Grizzlies are ranked number one in the league in points scored per game at 123.3. The team also ranks in the top five in rebounds, assists, blocks, and field goal percentage.
Jaren Jackson Jr. has had a remarkable start to the season, leading the Grizzlies in most statistical categories. He carries averages of 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks in 52 games played into the All-Star Break. He’s followed closely by Ja Morant who is averaging 20.7 points and 7.4 assists in limited action this season.
Morant has struggled at points in this season, at some points seeming to be in a complete shooting slump. However, he continues to be a dynamic threat with the basketball in his hands as his athleticism and creativity is still too much for defenders in his fifth season. (embed https://x.com/Grizz_Lead/status/1889533678583181325 )
Desmond Bane has been his usual self, putting on some huge performances down the stretch to bring his season averages to 18.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 49.6% from the field.
Rookie Zach Edey has seemed to only improve as he continues to get more minutes in a starting center role. Averaging just under 10 points and almost 8 rebounds per game, it was no surprise to see the Canadian national get the nod for the Rising Stars Game. Jaylen Wells is no different, starting 49 of his 54 games played and averaging 11 points despite struggling in the last few games before the break.
The Grizzlies bench depth continues to be a bright spot for the team. Luke Kennard is currently the best three-point shooter in the NBA percentage wise (47.8%!). Santi Aldama, GG Jackson, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Brandon Clarke have all continued to contribute and have all played big minutes to fill holes when other players are struggling.
The Bad (and the ugly…)
With most fast-paced offenses in the league, there is often a catch to the run-and-gun style of play and Memphis’ problem is obvious.
The Grizzlies cannot stop turning the ball over.
Try and try as they might, but in what seems to be a recurring theme in ALL Memphis sports, the Grizzlies seem to find ways to beat themselves more times than not. In addition to this, the Grizzlies have struggled mightily so far this year in road back-to-backs.
Take the Grizzlies last game before the All-Star Break as an example, a 128-114 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. After beating the Phoenix Suns the night prior on a night where Kevin Durant scored his 30,000th point, the Grizzlies came out firing on all cylinders to take a 39-28 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Grizzlies then proceeded to get outscored 74-45 in the next two quarters, turning the ball over 22 times.
Then, there’s the most embarrassing loss of the season thus far. The Grizzlies traveled to Madison Square Garden on January 27 to face off against the New York Knicks. Once again,
after a competitive first quarter where the Grizzlies only trailed by three, Memphis finished the game with 26 turnovers, conceding 36 points off of them. The Grizzlies lost by 37, 143-106.
To sum up the frustrations of this young team in one word, it would be ‘inconsistency’. Memphis is a team of runs, plain and simple. They succeed when they control the pace of the game, and they have undoubtedly looked the best when they are playing fast in transition. When opposing teams can slow the game down and make the referees call numerous fouls, the Grizzlies often become so careless with the ball that it makes it impossible for them to get any momentum.
There are a lot of wrinkles to iron out in this process, and it will be interesting to see how the Grizzlies will adapt to a tough schedule to start the second half of the season. (Next 5: Pacers, Magic, Cavaliers, Suns, Knicks)
Final Thoughts
The Grit and Grind Era of the Grizzlies is gone. Out with the instigating and hustling style of Zach Randolph and Tony Allen and in with the new program of high-powered scorers prepared to shoot the lights out.
Basketball is a forever changing and evolving game and adapting to the new meta is imperative to success.
While the Grizzlies of today can say they rank among the elites of the NBA, will they be able to say that tomorrow?
That is for them to decide.
