Ja Morant and The Grizzlies Play a Great Brand of Basketball

 

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THE GRIZZLIES PLAY A GREAT BRAND OF BASKETBALL

The Memphis Grizzlies have now won eight straight games including being 18-5 in their last 22 outings leading them comfortably to an 4th spot in the west. Not even too far from the three seeded  Utah Jazz currently. A team with an average age of about 24.2 usually is not playing this well but when you're a well built and coached team such as Memphis, their play is no surprise to me.

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JA MORANT

Starting off with the most talked about player for Memphis, Ja Morant. Ja has been nothing short of amazing this season. Morant has been an offensive superstar, imposing his will inside the paint whenever he wants to and also being able to get his teammates involved at a great level. As we all know Ja is one of the fasters players in the league and one of the best paint scores in the league. His quick first step leading to a one dribble pull up floater or his ability to take contact and remain in the air long enough to get his shot off is really a work of art. Morant's craftiness with the ball to create space going downhill is one of the hardest to stop in the league. On top of that seemingly being able to float in the air for a long amount of time and get a shot off still. It's a work of art to watch Morant play the game. Also getting his teammates involved at a high level with a great pick n roll game and being able to orchestrate the drive and kick to perfection. With averages of 25ppg, 5.8rpg, and 6.6apg Morant undoubtedly should be an all star and possibly even an all star starter this year.

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DEANTHONY MELTON

Getting more into the less talked about Grizzlies players and players in general, DeAnthony Melton. Melton is in my opinion the most underrated role player in the league. Despite being undersized for a 2 guard Melton is a good defender, solid shooter, solid passer, and plays off Ja Morant so well. Melton is also a great hustle player for the Grizzlies and often is just always in the right place at the right time on both ends of the floor. Rather it be spot ups, a quality cut for an easy layup, playing the passing lanes, or picking a players pocket Melton is there. Just a high quality role player the Grizzlies have in Deanthony Melton. 

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DESMOND BANE

A player that still many fans still somehow do not know of, Desmond Bane. Drafted all the way down at 30, Bane has been on fire this season and simply has been one of the best 3&D players in the entire league. Bane attempts almost seven threes a game making them at a forty-one percentage. That's elite. Having this kind of player next to one of the best slashers in the league in Ja Morant is quite literally a pick your poison type approach. Bane's ability to always relocate either off ball or off a catch is very good, giving him just enough space to knock a shot down. Averaging 17.4 points this season Bane on some nights has been the leading scorer for the Grizzlies. He's just that good of a shooter and has also even showed the ability to take it off the dribble and finish in the paint. Bane I'd say has also been the most consistent Grizzly as he always provides elite shooting and good defense. Just a perfect player that can really fit on any team but perfectly fits the Grit and Grind culture. 

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JAREN JACKSON JR.

Jaren Jackson Jr continues to grow and develop into that future franchise Grizzlies big man we all hope he can be. Another perfect pairing next to Ja Morant with his elite shooting. Jaren's game has improved now to be more of an inside out guy as well. Rather then letting his shooting dictate the rest of his game. Doing his typical unicorn things, Jaren has been able to take other big man off the dribble and finish in the paint with a tough layup or pull up floater. If Jaren works on cutting his foul troubles down he'd be an even better defender than he already is. And Jaren is already a great shot blocker with potential and flashes shown every now and then to guard just about every position. As Jaren continues to polish his game it will only get better and better. 

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TYUS JONES

One of the best backup point guards in the league--if not the best-- is Tyus jones. The second Morant leaves the floor teams do not get a break at all in terms having to deal with a good playmaker who is also very crafty. Tyus has one of the best floater games in the league, giving him enough angle to make tough shots over taller defenders being just six foot. Tyus also is a relatively quick point guard and is overall just one of the best game managers the game has. Playing alongside and setting up other great role players such as Brandon Clarke, Kyle Anderson, and Dillon Brooks have been very fun to watch. Jones' game is so polished on the offensive end whether its setting guys up for open shots or creating his own, Jones is your man. 

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TAYLOR JENKINS

Last but the farthest from the least I had to give credit to one of the best coaches in the league, in Taylor Jenkins. Jenkins gets the most out of any player and will seemingly never be too down as the Grizzlies are one of the best comeback teams in the league. The Grizzlies have stuck onto their Grit and Grind culture playing hard while also playing smart. Jenkins also does a great job of letting players play to their strength and being able to use them. As to players such as Steven Adams who has been picking it up as of late, Jenkins doesn’t just have him as a roll and rebound man Jenkins allows Adams to also use his ability to be a quality passer from the top of the key or out of the post. The Grizzlies play a fun, fast tempo, and gritty brand of basketball and I love it. The team is so young but plays like a veteran team. It being clear that the Grizzlies have their franchise point guard in Ja Morant and franchise coach in Taylor Jenkins, the future is too bright for this young Grizzlies team and I couldn’t be more excited for everything happening in Memphis. Grizz Next Gen!!