Memphis Grizzlies
The 2019-20 Memphis Grizzlies season can be defined by the fact that the Grizzlies were a bubble play-in game away from making the playoffs despite Vegas predicting that the Grizz would finish dead last in the Western Conference.
What did we learn?
From Grit ‘N Grind to The Fun House, the Memphis Grizzlies were the 2019-20 Young Surprise Team that we were looking for! The young surprise team that was promised.
It’s no secret that we thoroughly revel in some fast-paced basketballin’ that features excellent team ball between guys who enjoy playing together and show up to work every day ready to fight with their brothers and have some fun while doing so.
Led by the magnificent and fearless Ja Morant, the Grizz flourished in these facets of the game, finishing 6th in pace (all the way up from dead last a season ago!) and 6th in assist percentage, and they continuously wowed us along the way, playing with a swaggering bravado.
Young Ja was the most proficient and ready to fuck-you-up rookie that we can remember seeing in a long time, the no doubt Rookie of the Year. A perfect pairing with JJJ indeed. The ultimate slasher of a point guard, Ja has as a different, higher gear than most everybody else. You gotta be ready for it, or you’re toast. And even if you are ready for it, good luck.
Jaren Jackson Jr. somehow got better from three-point range, shooting 39.4 percent from three-point land on 6.8 attempts per game. We told you that Triple J’s shot is smoother than a butter shave! And he was still a menace on D with his hulking 7-5 wingspan, averaging 1.6 blocks per game, top-13 in the league. Stroking threes and swatting shots, JJJ sure looked like a Memphis unicorn in just his second year. Alas, Jackson Jr. tore his meniscus in the bubble and underwent knee surgery, ending his season early and thwarting the Grizzlies playoff momentum which sputtered all the way out.
It turns out that Brandon Clarke’s Summer League was no joke. An uber athlete, Clarke’s versatility on defense and springiness on offense are elements that you just can’t teach. Clarke is still raw and should only get better with time. It sure seems like the Grizz have a very organic and very young Big 3 in Ja, JJJ and BC.
The backbone of the Grizzlies, Jonas Valancuiunas, provided an experienced and strong interior presence. JV (or Valanchoony as we like to call him) finished the season with a career-high in field goal percentage and rebounds per game.
We learned who De’Anthony Melton is. There are some players who know how to put themselves in the right positions on the court to be successful, and Melton is one of those guys. Right place, right time, Melton is a smart player and superior defender, a boon for the Grizzlies bench unit.
We discovered that Dillon Brooks is T O U G H. Dillon Brooks is all guts. Opposing players did not want D-Brooks guarding them, and they surely did not want to guard him either.
Grit ‘N Grind is so dead, and we are so glad. All of the players mentioned in this piece except for Melton are under contract for the next several years.
The Fun House is just getting started!
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What are the answers to our Season Preview Final Questions?
What is new 35-year-old head coach Taylor Jenkins’ vision? Who is Taylor Jenkins?
This year should be a more aesthetically pleasing style of basketballin’ to watch. We’re actually excited to tune in to the Grizz for JJJ and Ja.
Taylor Jenkins used to get buckets on The Ringer’s Jonathan Tjarks! Most importantly, Jenkins appears to be a solid head coach who is well-respected and set on building a winning atmosphere.
This year was one thousand percent a more aesthetically pleasing style of basketballin’ to watch. The Grizz were one of the most exciting teams to fire up on league pass!
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Would our preseason Over/Under prediction have hit?
Despite our excitement of the fountain of youth finally arriving and bringing speed to Memphis, the Grizzlies are still going to get annihilated in the West. UNDER 27.5 wins. (34% winning pct)
Grizzlies 2019-20 final record: (34-39) 46% winning pct
NOPE, our preseason Over/Under prediction absolutely did NOT hit as the Grizzlies passed 28 wins in late February.
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What’s Next?
Pulling it off again! The element of surprise will be gone.
Get JJJ healthy.
Re-sign restricted free agent De’Anthony Melton!
Every young surprise team needs its vets and trading Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill threw off the chemistry, rhythm and momentum here. A free agent this offseason, we wouldn’t mind seeing Crowder back enjoying the Memphis BBQ again.
The trade for Justise Winslow is a gamble considering his injury history, but at least he is on a cap-friendly deal. Can Winslow ever stay on the court? That’s what we would like to know.
More shooters to open up lanes for Ja to do this thang.
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Favorite Grizz Highlight from the 2019-20 Season:
In the immediate post-game on-court interview with 3D, Ja stated: “I was just hungry.”
